Question: Differential Seals

[jwawhite]

The seals are leaking once more. The tell tale sign, other than the spots in the driveway, is a burning smell while at a traffic light.
The oil leaks on the exhaust pipes.

Question, the car has about 40 k on it now and the first time they went out was under warranty, so about 2006 at the latest.

What could be the cause? Could a bur be on the shaft? Is there "play" on the shafts wearing out the seals quickly? Something out of alignment?

Have an extended warranty about to expire Feb), and I can't renew it, so I'll get it fixed next week.

Any ideas about why they are failing?

Isn't that new Vette something? Just read the Mar Motor Trend article!

 

[Hib Halverson]

The seals are leaking once more. The tell tale sign, other than the spots in the driveway, is a burning smell while at a traffic light.
The oil leaks on the exhaust pipes.

Question, the car has about 40 k on it now and the first time they went out was under warranty, so about 2006 at the latest.

What could be the cause? Could a bur be on the shaft? Is there "play" on the shafts wearing out the seals quickly? Something out of alignment?

Have an extended warranty about to expire Feb), and I can't renew it, so I'll get it fixed next week.

Any ideas about why they are failing?

Isn't that new Vette something? Just read the Mar Motor Trend article!

Usually what leaks is not the axle shaft seals but the seals between the axle housing and the side covers. Sometimes if the first repair fails, it was because it wqas not done properly, per the most recent service bulletin.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,

The key to all of the rear differential repairs is accurate service procedures, just as stated by Hib.

However, the leak position is always the key. Is it from the area between the transmission and the differential housing, the bottom of the side cover seam or is it coming from the axle seal for the halfshaft itself???

All of these different leak points may require different service procedures.

So, note your leakage point and that could help us further. However, normal side COVER TO DIFF CASE usually doesnt soak the exhaust and produce a smell unless its been happening for years.

Allthebest, Paul

 

[chuck]

My 04 has that leak repaired twice both times at the dealer. Be sure to check that your transaxle breather is not plugged. The plugged breather will build up pressure and cause the oil leak. I believe GM offers a improved breather tube.

 

[Junkman2008]

I repaired my differential leak (it was the common left side output shaft seal), at 60,000 miles. As of 140,000, it has not leaked again. One thing that I did per the service manual that I never hear talked about in these differential leak threads is I did NOT go WOT for the first 300 miles. I think that may have something to do with guys having to have this repair done more than once in a close time frame. You can tell that my leak was the output shaft seal by just looking at the leak. If it was the case seal, it would not have leaked it a upward direction toward the output shaft seal. It never landed on the exhaust however and caused a stink. Are you positive that's where the oil is hitting the exhaust? That would take a pretty good leak, I'm thinking.