Tranny/Diff Leak
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Babylon NY
Tranny/Diff Leak
Im getting a small puddle at the back of the car so i get her up and notice its dripping from where the tranny meets the rear. Its a dark fluid, almost purple like. Gear oil? Is this a big job to fix? Would love to DIY it if possible. Thanks guys.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 275
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
I have had my 04 C5 fixed twice for rear end leaking.
Hope yours is still under warranty. They are now using a special red sealent that is suppose to fix the problem. I know that the tech took most of the day to fix mine so I really have no idea how a DIY job would go. Good luck.........
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Sun City CA
Leaky butt
I do believe it is coming from the output shaft seal where the diff mates to the trans. I just replace the trans and had to switch over the diff to the new trans.
3 guys, one garage and about 3.5 hours. It is relatively simple, there are a lot of little things to do that fill up the time. I can tell you step by step if needed.
Good luck.
3 guys, one garage and about 3.5 hours. It is relatively simple, there are a lot of little things to do that fill up the time. I can tell you step by step if needed.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Babylon NY
i'd love a step by step. I have a couple friends who know their way around cars and engines so i'm sure with some direction we could get it done. I would just have to supply the beer. Thanks for the help.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 9
From: Tampa FL
I don't really have a step-by-step, but do have a few suggestions. Use brake cleaner to spray down the trans & differential. Once it is clean, it will become obvious where the leak is.
There are plenty of posts with instructions and pictures removing the leaky butt. Do a search.
Replace the other seals while you are in there, especially the diff axle cover seals (known for leaking) and the diff main input seal. Also replace the fuel filter -- since it's handy.
When replacing the diff axle cover seals, use anaerobic sealant (drys w/o air). You can get this at NAPA. Pay a little more for the cleaner/activator. Anerobic sealant will handle a gap of a few thousandths w/o the activator, but is 3-4x as good w/ the activator.
Enjoy
There are plenty of posts with instructions and pictures removing the leaky butt. Do a search.
Replace the other seals while you are in there, especially the diff axle cover seals (known for leaking) and the diff main input seal. Also replace the fuel filter -- since it's handy.
When replacing the diff axle cover seals, use anaerobic sealant (drys w/o air). You can get this at NAPA. Pay a little more for the cleaner/activator. Anerobic sealant will handle a gap of a few thousandths w/o the activator, but is 3-4x as good w/ the activator.
Enjoy
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Babylon NY
I had the driver side rear seal changed a few years ago. The other side is holding up ok. This leak is definitely from where the diff meets the tranny. Do i have to drop the rear to fix this? Just don't want to bring it to the shop if i don't have to. Thanks guys.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 6
From: DFW Texas
There is another option. There was someone who separated the transmission from the diff slightly, cleaned the gap with brake cleaner and then sucked sealant into the gap using a vacuum attached to the transmission fluid fill hole. Sounds , huh? A search will yield more information on this method.
I currently have the exact same leak as you. What I can't find is more information on is how successful the above method is. Who has given it a try, and how did it hold up?
, huh? A search will yield more information on this method.I currently have the exact same leak as you. What I can't find is more information on is how successful the above method is. Who has given it a try, and how did it hold up?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
There is another option. There was someone who separated the transmission from the diff slightly, cleaned the gap with brake cleaner and then sucked sealant into the gap using a vacuum attached to the transmission fluid fill hole. Sounds , huh? A search will yield more information on this method.
I currently have the exact same leak as you. What I can't find is more information on is how successful the above method is. Who has given it a try, and how did it hold up?
, huh? A search will yield more information on this method.I currently have the exact same leak as you. What I can't find is more information on is how successful the above method is. Who has given it a try, and how did it hold up?
Prior to me getting 4.10's installed a month or so ago I did a DIY quick fix that lasted over a year for the leak at the tail end of the trans...I also had the leak in the diff at two places...one on the R/S cover and another in the casing itself...
for the Diff, I lived with it (as I knew I was going to get 4.10's in a while), I always made sure I always had enought fluid in the diff by checking periodically prior to the repair, now no leak
as I had the diff swapped by Chuck at Corvettes of Westchester...while he was in that neighborhood he fixed the trans leak...On to my quick tranny leak fix....as the fluid in the 6 speed is not under tremendous pressure all you need to do is either try the method that some have described with sucking the fluid in OR, just do what I did, clean the area reeeaaal good, then put silicone sealant along the line where the two end pieces meet, worked for me for over a year...
Hope this helps...ya sou Niko...
Last edited by Nyvetteguy007; May 22, 2007 at 09:00 AM. Reason: correction
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 6
From: DFW Texas
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I'm having the same issue. Luckily mine is still under warrenty, it is being fixed today. The shop said that it would take most of the day to do the work.
Have you ever had the tranny serviced? Purple fluid sounds to me like your trans fluid could be degraded or "burnt".
Just my 2cents.
Good luck with your repairs!
Have you ever had the tranny serviced? Purple fluid sounds to me like your trans fluid could be degraded or "burnt".
Just my 2cents.
Good luck with your repairs!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York