drivers side CV shaft seal keeps leaking
11-03-2012, 02:10 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
drivers side CV shaft seal keeps leaking
Need some advice specific to drivers side differential seal where the CV shaft splines to the differential.
History:
1)Changed the entire drivers side CV axle after I damaged a CV boot. ( purchased CV axle from Autozone).
2) Few days later, I Noticed leak at differential drivers side seal.
3) I removed the factory seal and installed a new one.
4) Still leaking. Installed another seal with a small amount of permatex sealant around seal.
5) Still leaking.
6) New seal and warranty swapped to a new CV axle from Autozone.
7) New seal and new CV axle now, Still leaks!
Could the CV shaft from Autozone have a smaller Outside diameter than the Factory GM CV shaft?
Could the differential bearing and differential axle be worn just enough to have play and cause a leak.
Any opinion or experience is appreciated
History:
1)Changed the entire drivers side CV axle after I damaged a CV boot. ( purchased CV axle from Autozone).
2) Few days later, I Noticed leak at differential drivers side seal.
3) I removed the factory seal and installed a new one.
4) Still leaking. Installed another seal with a small amount of permatex sealant around seal.
5) Still leaking.
6) New seal and warranty swapped to a new CV axle from Autozone.
7) New seal and new CV axle now, Still leaks!
Could the CV shaft from Autozone have a smaller Outside diameter than the Factory GM CV shaft?
Could the differential bearing and differential axle be worn just enough to have play and cause a leak.
Any opinion or experience is appreciated
Last edited by 2001yellow/redC5; 11-03-2012 at 05:59 PM.
11-03-2012, 03:34 PM
#2
I have replaced mine driver side CV boot while back and I think a bought from the dealer , and there's still little grease comes out but not to the point where it splashes everywhere ... The worst part off it and why it's still leaking in mine because of the clamps I couldn't get it as tight as it was on the original one I even bought the cramping tools for the clamps ...those clamps suck... How bad is yours leaking?
11-03-2012, 05:55 PM
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
I am talking about the driver side differential seal where the CV axle goes onto the differential axle spline. Not the CV boot. This is a differential oil leak not CV boot grease.
Last edited by 2001yellow/redC5; 11-03-2012 at 05:59 PM.
11-04-2012, 01:10 AM
#4
Ddda!!!! My bad I must been sleeping lol...by the way my dr side axle leaks too u usually get one quarter size drop on my garage floor after a drive , I'm not to worried too much ..i know the leak is coming from the seal may be I get to it this winter will c...
11-04-2012, 02:09 AM
#5
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I can't answer your question.
The leaking diff seal was a common issue when the cars were new and GM issued a TSB. Not sure if any of this helps as you seem to be familiar with changing the shaft already.
1997 - 2004: Service Bulletin: Fluid Leak at Rear Axle (Replace Left Differential Side Cover 0-Ring and Left Axle Shaft Seal, Add Sealant to Side Cover Flange)
Drivetrain - Rear Differential Fluid Leak
Bulletin No.: 03-04-20-006
Date: November 18, 2003
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Fluid Leak at Rear Axle (Replace Left Differential Side Cover 0-Ring and Left Axle Shaft Seal, Add Sealant to Side Cover Flange)
Models:
2004 Cadillac XLR
1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition
Some customers may comment on fluid leaking from the rear axle.
Correction
Verify that the fluid leak is rear axle fluid, not transmission fluid. Replace the left differential side cover 0-ring and left axle shaft seal. Engineering has recommended that sealant be applied to the side cover prior to installation. Use the appropriate service procedure and part numbers listed below.
Service Procedure (Corvette)
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the left rear tire and wheel assembly.
3. Install J 33432-A Transverse Spring Compressor to the rear transverse spring and compress the spring.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the left wheel speed sensor.
5. Disconnect the electronic suspension control (ESC) position sensor link, if equipped.
6. Disconnect the shock absorber solenoid electrical connector, if equipped.
7. Remove the outer tie rod end nut.
8. Disconnect the outer tie rod end stud from the rear suspension knuckle.
9. Disconnect the park brake cable from the park brake apply lever and bracket.
10. Remove the bolts securing the upper control arms to the frame.
11. Remove the spindle nut retaining the rear wheel axle shaft to the hub.
12. Rotate the suspension knuckle until the axle shaft clears the hub.
13. Release and remove the rear wheel axle shaft from the differential.
14. Remove the left muffler.
15. Drain the rear differential fluid.
16. Remove the retaining bolts and the damper/tuned absorber from the differential.
17. Loosen the nut retaining the transmission to the transmission LH mounting stud.
18. Install a second nut onto the stud.
19. Remove the stud from the differential cover.
20. Clean any dirt or debris from around the differential cover.
21. Remove the bolts retaining the differential cover.
22. Remove the differential cover from the differential.
23. Remove and discard the 0-ring seal and the axle seal from the differential cover.
24. Clean the 0-ring sealing surface on the differential cover and the differential housing.
25. Install new 0-ring, P/N 89047953, to the differential cover.
26. Apply a continuous 3 mm (0.125 in) bead of sealant, P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466), or equivalent, to the cover flange.
27. Apply sealant around the bolt holes. Keep sealant away from the 0-ring.
28. Install the differential cover to the differential.
29. Install the differential cover retaining bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 28 N.m (20 lb ft).
30. Clean the excess sealant from the left cover/housing splitline.
31. Using two nuts installed on the stud, install the transmission mounting stud to the differential cover.
Tighten
Tighten the stud to 42 N.m (31 lb ft).
32. Remove the second nut from the transmission mounting stud.
33. Tighten the nut retaining the transmission to the transmission LH mounting stud.
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
34. Install the damper/tuned absorber and bolts to the differential.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
35. Install the new axle seal, PN 88996703, into the differential cover using J 46405.
36. Install the left muffler.
37. Install the rear wheel axle shaft to the differential.
38. Install the spindle nut retaining the rear wheel axle shaft to the hub.
Tighten
Tighten the spindle nuts to 160 N.m (118 lb ft).
39. Install the bolts securing the upper control arms to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the upper control arm bolts to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).
40. Connect the park brake cable to the park brake apply lever and bracket.
41. Connect the outer tie rod end stud to the rear suspension knuckle.
42. Install the outer tie rod end nut.
Tighten
Tighten the outer tie rod end nut to 20 N.m (15 lb ft) to seat the outer tie rod stud.
Turn the nut additional 160 degrees.
Check the outer tie rod end nut for a minimum torque of 45 N.m (33 lb ft).
43. Connect the shock absorber solenoid electrical connector, if equipped.
44. Connect the electronic suspension control (ESC) position sensor link, if equipped.
45. Connect the electrical connector to the left wheel speed sensor.
46. Remove J 33432-A Transverse Spring Compressor from the rear transverse spring.
47. Install the left rear tire and wheel assembly.
48. Refill the rear differential fluid.
49. Lower the vehicle.
The leaking diff seal was a common issue when the cars were new and GM issued a TSB. Not sure if any of this helps as you seem to be familiar with changing the shaft already.
1997 - 2004: Service Bulletin: Fluid Leak at Rear Axle (Replace Left Differential Side Cover 0-Ring and Left Axle Shaft Seal, Add Sealant to Side Cover Flange)
Drivetrain - Rear Differential Fluid Leak
Bulletin No.: 03-04-20-006
Date: November 18, 2003
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Fluid Leak at Rear Axle (Replace Left Differential Side Cover 0-Ring and Left Axle Shaft Seal, Add Sealant to Side Cover Flange)
Models:
2004 Cadillac XLR
1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition
Some customers may comment on fluid leaking from the rear axle.
Correction
Verify that the fluid leak is rear axle fluid, not transmission fluid. Replace the left differential side cover 0-ring and left axle shaft seal. Engineering has recommended that sealant be applied to the side cover prior to installation. Use the appropriate service procedure and part numbers listed below.
Service Procedure (Corvette)
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the left rear tire and wheel assembly.
3. Install J 33432-A Transverse Spring Compressor to the rear transverse spring and compress the spring.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the left wheel speed sensor.
5. Disconnect the electronic suspension control (ESC) position sensor link, if equipped.
6. Disconnect the shock absorber solenoid electrical connector, if equipped.
7. Remove the outer tie rod end nut.
8. Disconnect the outer tie rod end stud from the rear suspension knuckle.
9. Disconnect the park brake cable from the park brake apply lever and bracket.
10. Remove the bolts securing the upper control arms to the frame.
11. Remove the spindle nut retaining the rear wheel axle shaft to the hub.
12. Rotate the suspension knuckle until the axle shaft clears the hub.
13. Release and remove the rear wheel axle shaft from the differential.
14. Remove the left muffler.
15. Drain the rear differential fluid.
16. Remove the retaining bolts and the damper/tuned absorber from the differential.
17. Loosen the nut retaining the transmission to the transmission LH mounting stud.
18. Install a second nut onto the stud.
19. Remove the stud from the differential cover.
20. Clean any dirt or debris from around the differential cover.
21. Remove the bolts retaining the differential cover.
22. Remove the differential cover from the differential.
23. Remove and discard the 0-ring seal and the axle seal from the differential cover.
24. Clean the 0-ring sealing surface on the differential cover and the differential housing.
25. Install new 0-ring, P/N 89047953, to the differential cover.
26. Apply a continuous 3 mm (0.125 in) bead of sealant, P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466), or equivalent, to the cover flange.
27. Apply sealant around the bolt holes. Keep sealant away from the 0-ring.
28. Install the differential cover to the differential.
29. Install the differential cover retaining bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 28 N.m (20 lb ft).
30. Clean the excess sealant from the left cover/housing splitline.
31. Using two nuts installed on the stud, install the transmission mounting stud to the differential cover.
Tighten
Tighten the stud to 42 N.m (31 lb ft).
32. Remove the second nut from the transmission mounting stud.
33. Tighten the nut retaining the transmission to the transmission LH mounting stud.
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
34. Install the damper/tuned absorber and bolts to the differential.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).
35. Install the new axle seal, PN 88996703, into the differential cover using J 46405.
36. Install the left muffler.
37. Install the rear wheel axle shaft to the differential.
38. Install the spindle nut retaining the rear wheel axle shaft to the hub.
Tighten
Tighten the spindle nuts to 160 N.m (118 lb ft).
39. Install the bolts securing the upper control arms to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the upper control arm bolts to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).
40. Connect the park brake cable to the park brake apply lever and bracket.
41. Connect the outer tie rod end stud to the rear suspension knuckle.
42. Install the outer tie rod end nut.
Tighten
Tighten the outer tie rod end nut to 20 N.m (15 lb ft) to seat the outer tie rod stud.
Turn the nut additional 160 degrees.
Check the outer tie rod end nut for a minimum torque of 45 N.m (33 lb ft).
43. Connect the shock absorber solenoid electrical connector, if equipped.
44. Connect the electronic suspension control (ESC) position sensor link, if equipped.
45. Connect the electrical connector to the left wheel speed sensor.
46. Remove J 33432-A Transverse Spring Compressor from the rear transverse spring.
47. Install the left rear tire and wheel assembly.
48. Refill the rear differential fluid.
49. Lower the vehicle.
Last edited by DeeGee; 11-04-2012 at 02:12 AM.
