Truck in the shop this morning for brake work, I was having occasional smoke coming from the LR wheel when I was towing my mowing trailer and coming down hard on the brakes. Mechanic checked the caliper and the brakes and said they were fine, unfortunatly the smoke was coming from grease on the rotor that was coming from what he said was a cracked axle tube. They called the stealership and inquired about the 100,000 mile warranty and told me the stealer said not under warranty due to the fact it is not technically the drive train? The truck has 88,000 miles. He quoted me a price of $4700.00 to replace the rear end complete assembly. Tell me it ain't so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update:

Talked with GM and was told there is no warranty on the drive train after 36,000 miles! The 100,000 mile warranty is on the engine only.

A cracked axle housing? Sounds a little strange, I have seen plenty of axle seals go bad. Any dealers in the area that you trust? I would take it there for a second opinion.

I agree with Cobra.

A cracked axle is hard to believe I would think AAM would be interested as it must be defective.Look at all the abuse these guys are doing towing pulling racing.It's also the same axle on the new Dodges.

I would ask to see it and if truly cracked ask for a Zone Regional GM personal to come in and evaluate.See if the could get the axle manufacture in there also.

Good luck and please let us know

If it is cracked have it welded by a expert welding shop. Should be as good as new and a lot less than $4,700.

Just make sure it's not bent or tweaked for some reason and that's why it cracked.

unless they can SHOW YOU the crack in the tube or spindle with a Zyglow or magnaflux proceedure, I'd challenge that diag. big time.

Loose axle bearings can make seal leak, will also give you spongy brakes ( rotor cocks a bit spreading pads). But more than likely the seal wasn't square when originally installed.

88k on axle seal ain't bad, I did one last week with only 473 miles on the clock.

Kevin

Leaking axel tube @ 88,000, not without major abuse. The tube will bend and twist but the wall of the tube doesn't just start leaking.

Change the axel seal and clean up the brakes. IMHO.

Your Mechanic is selling WolfCookies.

Idahofox

Update:
Put truck in the shop for a second opinion and a more experienced mechanic. He told me the seal was leaking and he replaced it. He said he couldn't find any crack in the axle. $154.00 and I'm back in action!:D