Differential Leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Differential Leak
I have a 2000 coupe. I noticed a leak from the rear end. Took it to the dealer for the usual oil change and they told me that the rear diff cover was leaking. $1200+ to fix it, 14 hours of labor, drop rear axle and diff, etc. What do you guys think about this? I wouldnt have the dealer do the work, but is it worth getting it fixed? Or should I just upgrade to an entire new rear end? Are there any quick fixes that will stop the leak for the time being? The car has 33,000 miles on it. I dont drive it in the rain and will only be driving it once every few months. thanks a lot for the help. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 9
From: Eddy Texas
Just had mine done at a local dealer last week. Ticket showed 2.9 hours. Remove left wheel, shock, and axle assy, left diff cover. Replace left cover seal and axle seal. Service writer said if it were not under warranty, I would be out about $400 parts and labor. I'd shop around, sounds a bit steep. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
If it is leaking from between the diff and tranny you will have to drop it. If it is just an output seal like the above post it is an easy fix. $1200 is ridiculous. If you were local I'd remove and replace diff for $300-350 just to make some extra parts money. $400 as the above post states is also excessive for the work done for the side seal replacement. You can see "how-tos" on my page here.
Last edited by Cajundude; May 31, 2005 at 02:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
hey thanks for the replies guys. I knew the stealership wasnt being straight. What parts will I need to fix it under both scenarios? e.i if the leak is between the tranny and diff or not
Last edited by Icemanskis; May 31, 2005 at 02:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I think the output shaft seals are like $6 or $7. That is all you would need. If it is leaking from between the diff and tranny, you would just buy an o-ring. When installing the o-ring you would want to put a bead of sealer around the outside of it as well before you mate it back to the tranny. If it is leaking from the rear cover, that is just a gasket as well. All of the parts to fix the leak are cheap. You need to determine which it is. They are hitting you hard for the labor. If it is the rear cover or the o-ring, you will have to drop the driveline to repair. If it is the side seals, you will not.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
I can fax you over a copy of my work order from Gm when I got my diff leak fixed. It has everything they did to it.
It has the part numbers as well. e-mail me jelucio@yahoo.com
It has the part numbers as well. e-mail me jelucio@yahoo.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 166
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
When you guys notice the leak, is it from drips on the floor or a wet diff. My diff has been wet since I bought it when viewed from a lift. Never a drop on the ground. Could it possibly have been overfilled at Bowling Green and wicked out of vent early on when new? 1998 C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
From my experience. If there is drips on the floor then you need to repair the leak. I read on here a long time ago, the differential has a vent and when you do over fill it. It does let some out, if your car has been sitting for a couple of days and there is a small puddle then you have a leak.
If you do not see anything don't worry about it. You would have a puddle of some kind it is obvious. Cheers!!
If you do not see anything don't worry about it. You would have a puddle of some kind it is obvious. Cheers!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
From: Insane Diego Kalifonya Baby
$1200 sounds way too steep. Most corvettes shops charge under $500 labor to R&R a rearend. I had a leak in mine "warrantee" ticket said 2.5 hrs they pulled the hole rearend
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO.
Originally Posted by Icemanskis
I have a 2000 coupe. I noticed a leak from the rear end. Took it to the dealer for the usual oil change and they told me that the rear diff cover was leaking. $1200+ to fix it, 14 hours of labor, drop rear axle and diff, etc. What do you guys think about this? I wouldnt have the dealer do the work, but is it worth getting it fixed? Or should I just upgrade to an entire new rear end? Are there any quick fixes that will stop the leak for the time being? The car has 33,000 miles on it. I dont drive it in the rain and will only be driving it once every few months. thanks a lot for the help.
Most 'local' mechanics won't touch this because special [expensive] tools are required. I stayed with my car at the dealer while the work was being done, and really got an understanding as to what was involved. Getting to the Diff cover, typically (90+%) the left side or drivers side, requires moving most of the suspension out of the way. It's not a job most owners could do at home!
Race Director
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by C5-BRUCE
Most 'local' mechanics won't touch this because special [expensive] tools are required. I stayed with my car at the dealer while the work was being done, and really got an understanding as to what was involved. Getting to the Diff cover, typically (90+%) the left side or drivers side, requires moving most of the suspension out of the way. It's not a job most owners could do at home!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO.
Cost Correction
Originally Posted by C5-BRUCE
My 2000 MN6 also leaked, out of warranty, and the total cost from my dealer was $530.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Remember, there's 2 possible types of problems here guys, and one is MUCH easier to fix than the other. Granted, neither requires 14 hours of labor (or even half that), but dropping the rear and pulling the diff to replace the diff->tranny seal is MUUUUCH harder.
Shop around. I see you're in Springfield, too bad you weren't a little closer, I'd do it for a reasonable rate. I'm right near Boston though.
Dope
Shop around. I see you're in Springfield, too bad you weren't a little closer, I'd do it for a reasonable rate. I'm right near Boston though.
Dope