My rear axle seal is leaking on the drivers side. It is coming from somewhere behind the disc brake. It does not drip but the brake is wet and it is definitely leaking. Does anyone know if this is covered in the 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty? Also has anyone replaced this seal yet and have any insight on how to do it, how difficult it is, the tools I need, and what the parts will cost me?
thanks

warranty, no

easy, yes

parts, cheap.

It took me about 20 minutes to change mine. The seal is 20 bucks from dmaxallitech, and he will ship it really quickly. You might want to get some brake cleaner for your brakes, and if your pads are saturated you might want to change them.
Hop

Yeah, just had to do mine a few weeks ago. Was rotating tires/oil change and my buddy noticed it all over the inside of the wheel. Didn't take long to change and he got a discount on the part so it was cheap/easy.

Just my opinion, but I think if you suddenly developed a large leak, you probably lost the vent path for your differential, and the pressure built up blows through the seal.
Make sure the vent is not restricted, with no kinks in the rubber hose and ensure you have a constant slope, (no traps), with the vent at the highest point, and the differential at the lowest. If oil splashs up in vent hose and is not allowed to drain back into differential, you lost your vent.
GM seems to think too high a oil level causes more oil to splash up into vent line. I think they put the vent in a bad location.
My 2002 has the vent strapped to the fuel tank filler hose.

Wow this seems to be a real problem.

How many miles do you guys have on yours?

Mine went out at 14533.

This is unacceptable! I have had other vehicles with between 100,000 and 340,000 that never had a seal replaced.

How do you get a factory recall started?

Mine went at about 40k, it was in pretty rough shape when we pulled it out. I too, thought this was a short time span to get an axle seal replaced on a brand new truck. If that's the worse that happens, then I guess it's ok.

Mine went out at 10,000 on my 04' Duramax. The dealer replaced it without any problem. I have about the same mileage on my 05' now. Guess I better start watching???????

An interesting thread (and pic) concerning the vent hose:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41681&highlight=vent+pinched






Gary

What happened to Rattlewagon was an assembly line mistake. Those things happen sometimes.

But, maybe we've all stumbled on a reason for the rear axle shaft seals going bad. Plugged up vent tube. Makes sense.

I read the vent hose thread. Has me wondering.

Big Angry, that aint the worst read mine.http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?p=854095#post854095

I have been without a truck now for 2 weeks and possibly 2 more

I read the vent hose thread. Has me wondering.

Big Angry, that aint the worst read mine.http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?p=854095#post854095

I have been without a truck now for 2 weeks and possibly 2 more
Damn! Luckily we caught mine before it got that bad...yikes.:eek:

mine showed first signs of a leak at around 23,000 miles. I just checked that other thread. I guess I'd better get on top of this and change it pronto, before I end up with a snapped axle.
thank ya fellers

My left rear seal went bad at 38,000 miles, I just thought it was the extreme cold weather up here, but after reading this thread I went out and looked at my vent hose and guess what? Yup, all sorts of kinked to heck. I may have to replace this hose because it is so deformed. I wonder what caused it to get like this? Anyways, thanks for the info guys!!

Hop

they have a redesigned rear seal from what mine came with.smoked my left rear seal at 80000

did not work. Mine is a 2006.

Bad thing was, I was hauling a 36' 5th wheel "toyhauler" camper when it went out. The mechanic at the dealer said the only thing that kept my wheels from falling off was the brake caliper and rotor!!!!

The dealer it was dragged to (trailer and all) has been very good to me. If anyone is in the Flagstaff, AZ area you have a good service department there.

Sorry for your problems dog, sure sucks that you have had that many problems with a truck that new, I hope they get you fixed up and happy again! I've been keeping a close eye on my wheel seals after I found the washer on my vent but everything has been ok for me. Hopefully it's just a small bump in the road for you!

good luck!
dan

I thought iwas the only one, thought it was a freak of nature when mine went out at 7000 miles. The stealer replaced it for me and gave me a reantal truck while they had mine.

I'm stuck in a POS 2006 Malibu right now.

I just called the dealer that my truck is at. He said the rear-end shipped last week ground and it is not there yet.

Don't get me wrong, I love my truck, HATE the rear-end problem.

No this is not a fluke. That is why I asked what it takes to get a factory recall. I have heard too many people with problems under 30,000. Heck my old Ford E350 has never had a seal out. I have hauled up to 25,000 pounds with that thing too. It has 340,000 on it and I have only changed the rear diff oil once.

If this rear-end continues, as soon as my 100,000 is up I am going to switch to a 10.5 14 bolt rear-end with a 3.42