Rear Diff leak

[c5y2k]

Well I finally developed an oil leak in the rear diff after 31k miles. I have searched the forums for all the info I can find about the issue. My question, does anyone know of a reputable shop or dealer in the Nashville area to fix this? Since I have moved to the area I have not needed any major service done. I know I could take it to any dealer but I know some shops and dealers are better than others.

 

[Z06ADCT]

I took mine to the dealer twice. Once for each side. The right one went out at about 10K miles and the left one went out at 12.5K miles. I am in the SoCal area so I can't recommend a reputable guy in Tennesee. Fortunately, they both happened before my 3/36 warranty expires. I heard somewhere that the cost runs around $300-$400, but haven't verified that. You could always check around and see which dealer carries the most Corvettes. Their mechanics have probably have alot of Corvette wrenching mileage.

Craig

 

[VETTEX2]

I got lucky, I just had to tighten the sidecover nuts.

 

[Z06ADCT]

I got lucky, I just had to tighten the sidecover buts.

Thats a good tip. I wonder if I could have fixed mine too that way? Oh well, it was under warranty.

Craig

 

[gmjunkie]

I got lucky, I just had to tighten the sidecover buts.

Yes You Did!!! My case was Cast with a Crack!!

 

[VETTEX2]

oops !
:L nuts not buts

 

[fthompso]

Well I finally developed an oil leak in the rear diff after 31k miles. I have searched the forums for all the info I can find about the issue. My question, does anyone know of a reputable shop or dealer in the Nashville area to fix this? Since I have moved to the area I have not needed any major service done. I know I could take it to any dealer but I know some shops and dealers are better than others.

My 98 C-5 has 13K miles, and is leaking on both sides. The local dealer(Chicago Area) wante $1,104. to replace the seals. This seems high. If you have had yours replaced, what was the ball park price?
Thanks

 

[Z06nut]

I had mine done at a dealer twice on the same side. It still leaks. I will not take it back. The second time they took a 30 mile joy ride in it. Be very carefull who you pick. Talk to the shop manager and ask if you can watch them do the repair. If he says yes take the service bulletin with you and check to see if they use a torque wrench and check it's settings. TRUST NO ONE to be alone with your car for the simple fact they don't care at all about what happens to your car.

I'm in the Houston area so I can't help with a location.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
A few clarifications here.
There are at 7 different leak point possibilities on a rear differential. That is assuming that the drain/fill plugs are torqued correctly.
Left side cover oring, left axle shaft seal, right side cover oring, right axle shaft seal, rear cover oring, breather tube and front input seal
So now, assuming that all 6 seals are needed, this would necessitate removal of the entire rear subframe to access and remove the differential assembly.
Then, you have to realign the vehicle afterwards.
There has been revised assembly procedure and torque for the side cover orings to keep them from reoccuring.
HOWEVER, is the fluid at the correct level????
I have seen more leaks caused by overfilling than anything else.
You need to run the car on the lift or drive the car for 30 mins to get the fluid hot enough to assess the correct fluid level.
IT MUST BE HOT> otherwise, if you check the level cold, all the expansion of the fluid coupled with driving at higher speeds will cause the excess to be blown out of the vent tube.
Allthebest, c4c5:bang

 

[gmjunkie]

So now, assuming that all 6 seals are needed, this would necessitate removal of the entire rear subframe to access and remove the differential assembly.
Then, you have to realign the vehicle afterwards.

Allthebest, c4c5:bang

Just curious Paul, they had my trans and rear end out and my front suspension out to replace some bushings that creaked when cold, (and only when cold) I was not worried about them!! As I said it was only when Cold below 50 deg till I drove a while!! I got the car back and went to Florida and it started cutting my NEW tires and I had to have it realigned down there after I got there!! Way,Way, Out!! Although the car didn't drive bad,I could tell it just wasn't right!! They were supposed to fix my Rocking seats,they didn't rock for first 900-1000 miles afterwords, Now they Rock like a Old Oak Rocker!!They were supposed to fix My rattling Bose speakers and replace my Int.door panels that were coming loose from foam, and Drivers seat belt that was coming unstitched!! Since, I have noticed my shifter Boot has been broken where it clips to the Console, The shifter hangs up sometimes, which I will readjust again with your Instructions you have posted in another thread!! and my speakers have started rattling again!! After checking my speakers out,I found waded up Paper towels around them!!And after close inspection my Old door panels had less flaws!! And the darn thing Creaks all the time, even at 90 deg unless I spray silicone on bushing's about once a week!! I took it back and Inquired and they acted Like they did me a BIG,BIG, Favor beens I have a wholesale acct. there, and didn't buy it from them!!( No Longer!!) And there man was so good that he could get everything back Just Like it was so an Alignment was not necessary!! I have found Loose bolts and screws and my rt rocker and rt fuel tank alum. shield Look like someone put a hoist arm under it and tried to lift it up!! But my transmission don't grind or leak now!! I was happy with repairs at first,till I got to noticing things,I just didn't Look it over good I had been without it for almost a month, and they wouldn't give me a car because I'm a Dealer!!Is there anything I can do other than tell people not to Take there car there?? Thanks junk!! End of Hijack!!

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I cannot speculate on your previous experiences, because I do not know the entire circumstances.
I would simply not patronize them and find a better, more service oriented dealership.
Allthebest, c4c5:bang

 

[gmjunkie]

HI there,
I cannot speculate on your previous experiences, because I do not know the entire circumstances.
I would simply not patronize them and find a better, more service oriented dealership.
Allthebest, c4c5:bang

Thanks !!