New Rear Axle Seals At 68 K Miles Is Quality Lacking?

diyer2 · June 13, 2019

When I wrote my review for the Brake Bleeder it was because I put new rear brakes on my truck and replaced the brake fluid also.

I found the drivers side rear axle seal was weeping some fluid. Not enough to cause a problem, just enough to collect brake dust.

So I was thinking of replacing the axle seals myself.

I have repaired vehicles for 50 years and I'm getting tired of it.

I made some calls because I really didn't feel like doing this.

This was a big step for me because as I have said I just have a hard time trusting shops working on our vehicles.

I decided to have new seals installed when I found a local shop that would do it for $249.00. This shop is 2 guys. The head mechanic is in his 60's and born in the town. I say local but it's 30 miles from us. I got prices of $400.00 from another local shop and a dealer that is 70 miles away.

The shop is a NAPA certified repair facility which carries a nation wide warranty if needed. The shop uses all NAPA parts which I think is better quality. NAPA, 2 years or 24 K mile warranty. The others 1 year or 12 K mile warranty.

Now the reason for this thread, sorry for babbling on.

My past GM trucks the rear axle seals lasted over a 100 K miles.

I believe my 77 lasted about 120 K + and my 93 was over 150 K miles.

So maybe the quality has suffered for the sake of profit.

Don't get me wrong, I still like my 2012 a lot.

I'm beginning to change my do it yourself thinking.

Our house needs a coat of stain. I can do it. I painted for years and have the equipment.

Our house is on the side of a hill so lots of ladder work.

Having it done by a local guy that was trained by someone I know and he took over his company.

I'm going to sit and watch, drink a beer and write a check.

Oh how times have changed.

intheburbs · June 13, 2019

Well, as a guy who makes a living selling seals, o-rings and gaskets, I can tell you the requirements for seals have gotten more challenging over the years. The OEMs are not just slapping in junk.

And my '08 Suburban has 192,000 miles on the original axle seals.

Edited June 13, 2019 by intheburbs