Rear Differential
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Alberta
Rear Differential
Took my 98 A4 to the local Chevy dealership here in Alberta since I found a drip coming from the rear end. After putting the car up, noticed it was coming from the rear differential. The manager of the dealership was actually the one talking to me about the problem, stating that he owns a 2000 and has had the same problem. He then stated that there are special tools (that cost $30 grand according to his sources) that are needed to get to the differential, and that it will cost me $1200 CAN for 12 hours of labour (since virtually the entire rear end has to be removed) and then the cost of the parts.
Was going to phone around to some transmission specialists, but I need to know if there are special tools that have to be used to get access to the differential, or if the Chevy manager is giving me a story.
Was going to phone around to some transmission specialists, but I need to know if there are special tools that have to be used to get access to the differential, or if the Chevy manager is giving me a story.
Team Owner
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From: .... NJ
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don't go back there, that does not sound right at all. If it is the leaky gasket that is common is like a 3 hr job with no special tools needed as far as I know.
Team Owner
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From: Danville Virginia
Took mine in with print outs from this forum showing how common the problem was. My car was out of warranty and service dept. said they would pay half. It cost me $180.00. Go to another dealer! 
Chuck
Chuck
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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...and here are the list of tools needed. http://www.cajundude.com/outputshaftseal.htm Tell you what, I'll sell you every tool listed for $15K. Heck that can even be in Canadian dollars. 
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Find yourself a different dealer. Shouldn't cost anywhere near that amount of money to fix the seal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mooresville NC
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
...and here are the list of tools needed. http://www.cajundude.com/outputshaftseal.htm Tell you what, I'll sell you every tool listed for $15K. Heck that can even be in Canadian dollars.
LOL, I just read the " Tap taparoo. " part and laughed my butt off. Billy Madison for the win!!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Find yourself a different dealer. Shouldn't cost anywhere near that amount of money to fix the seal. I had mine fixed under factory warranty several years ago. Although the invoice didn't show prices, it did show labor hours and parts which included the following:1.9 (1 and 9/10) hours labor
1 axle seal
1 differential cover with seal*
2 gear oil
1 lubricant
*The mating surface on my old differential cover was also scored and they replaced this along with a new cover seal. If your cover's surface is OK, you may only need the cover seal here.
I would certainly question any shop that would attempt to charge you for many more labor hours or parts than shown above.
Good luck with the repairs.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Alberta
Got a little more information from the Manager I talked to earlier. He said that the tech said it was coming from the Driveshaft Input Seal, if theres any difference to the suggestions from above.
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Bracketman
Got a little more information from the Manager I talked to earlier. He said that the tech said it was coming from the Driveshaft Input Seal, if theres any difference to the suggestions from above.
Good luck.
Last edited by GrayC5; Jul 5, 2006 at 06:44 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
Originally Posted by GrayC5
This is a totally different seal from the axle (output shaft) and differential cover seals that we were lead to believe and discussed above. There are also other seals to be found between the transmission and differential. You need to find out specfically which seal(s) they are speaking about. The work involved will be dependent on which seal(s) and replacement of some of these can in fact require dropping various parts of the driveline to include the transmission, differential, etc. I would recommend that you speak directly with the tech and have him show you exactly which seal(s) that he is speaking about and show you specifically why he believes they need replacement. Until you can provide all the exact specifics to include which seals, the folks here can't be of much help to you.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Originally Posted by Bracketman
$1200 to fix a drip? You might consider the Cartalk guys advice and let it drip until you're ready for some gears or a converter.
Last edited by madeouttaglass; Jul 5, 2006 at 09:23 PM.
