driver rear axle shaft seal leak

kickass audio · December 17, 2018

I know this has been brought up several times on the forum but I wanted to ask what was all done by other members on this situation. I had replaced my rear brake pads today and noticed a good amount of oil that had come out from the axle shaft seal on the driver side rear. The oil had slung around inside the parking brake hat and discolored the brake material for the parking brake. The normal brakes are just fine. I have no shaking or anything bad with the truck but just noticed the leak.

I am still covered until June with the GM powertrain warranty but am trying to see if it's beneficial for me to replace the seal myself or take it in.

My question is when you brought your truck in for service did the rotor and parking brake shoe need to be replaced or did the dealer just fix the seal and fill up your diff and send you on your way? If I do just the seal myself at home it will cost me around 80 bucks total for the cost of the diff fluid and the axle seal. If I take it into the dealer and they cover the fluid and the seal but I am forced to buy a new rotor and parking shoe then I will be at least 80 in the hole according to the prices on rockauto so I know it will be even more at the stealership. The brakes hold the truck perfectly fine so i'm not too concerned by it at the moment. The shoe material is a light green color where the passenger side is a light brown color which is what i've always seen on parking brake pads.

kickass audio · December 17, 2018

and while I just read up on it. Are the transmission lines covered as well? I see that lines are listed under the powertrain warranty and I have a tiny amount of sweating at the rubber crimp on the transmission lines in front of the engine. I'm not really that concerned by it since it doesn't even amount to a puddle or anything but I'm trying to see if I should have that replaced as well if it's covered.

1SLOW1500 · December 17, 2018

If it was me I would speak to dealer then know my dealer would cover seals and labor and fluid, I would but new and better axles and fluid then let dealer install it. Yes a few more bucks but many people have vibrations and it was tracked back to axles or driveshaft. If I was going to do it I would still have dealer write it up and give me parts for free. I we summer hit I may need mine services under warranty. Haha

L86 All Terrain · December 17, 2018

I wonder if that would be covered under powertrain, it is part of the driveline but they will probably say it's a wear item. It is worth a shot though, tell them that because the axle seal failed it contaminated your brake pads and you had to change your rear brakes, maybe you can get those covered as well.

kickass audio · January 14, 2019

Just to update everyone, I had my truck in on Saturday for the service and they replaced the drivers side half-shaft in the axle, axle seal, 6 new lugnut studs (since the half shaft doesn't come with them already attached), new fluid and a new vent hose for the diff. I don't know why they changed the vent hose since it never was torn or pinched but whatever. It is costing GM $636 for the service and I paid 0. I asked about the parking brakes and they said that it would not be covered since they were damaged by the axle seal leaking and it would have cost me $250 to get a new parking brake shoe and springs put on just the drivers rear that is ruined. I told them don't even think about it since the cost of the parts would be the same for me at home but I would save $200 in labor doing it myself for a 30 minute job.

I am just going to replace the parking brake shoe on the drivers side and not the springs since they are in perfect shape. They wrote on the receipt that there were 2 nicks on the half shaft where the bearing seal meets and that is what caused the leak. I am certainly glad I brought it in or I would have been eating up a huge cost doing it myself! I was only expecting the cost of a seal and fluid, not a new shaft.

Gagliano7 · January 14, 2019

At least you had a good tech. He found the nicks and replaced the shaft. Most would have just put the seal on and then you would have had the same problem after warranty. Worked out great for you. The only thing i don't understand is if the leak damaged the parking brake pad how is that not covered?