When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ive done a little bit of digging just googling and searching the forums
No leaks prior to 4 days ago, I just put an exhaust on about 3 weeks ago so I wouldve noticed, and no fluid in driveway until now
These pictures are the right side of the diff
From what Ive read, looks like its gonna be the side diff cover seal "Side cover o rings 89047953"
Any input on what I should do is appreciated, 62k mile 1998 base car
The worst Ive done to it is a good 5500rpm 1->2 about a week ago, cars been parked 4 days, just noticed about a half dollar sized spot under the car when I was swapping out some rear wheels
excuse the pictures, with me squirming around on the ground my easiest option was to video all over the place then find what i was looking for
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
it leaks from the top and follows the case on the way down, similar to how the oil pressure sending unit leaks and looks like a rear main seal... when looking for leaks I always start at the top and work my way down
it leaks from the top and follows the case on the way down, similar to how the oil pressure sending unit leaks and looks like a rear main seal... when looking for leaks I always start at the top and work my way down
after watching the videos i made multiple times it appears that bottom part where its dripping off of is the highest point its leaking from
Thank you, okay so it seems the leaking has gotten worse since I jacked the car up. It didnt do this until i jacked it up the first time. Worse after the 2nd.
jacked up the same way i always do with a 2x6 on the brace
I've read that if the vent gets stuck shut it can cause pressure in the diff which will cause a leak. I cleaned mine up real good when I had most of the drive train out to rebuild the torque tube. My diff only leaked a few drops when it got cold, which it doesn't do very often in south Alabama, but it hasn't leaked a drop since cleaning the vent. I will have to wait and see what happens through the winter. Good Luck, leaks can be a bitch to run down.
This is a common problem. My previous 98 leaked from the left axle seal until I replaced the seal.
My 2004 recently started leaking from the left side cover o-ring. It made a mess similar to yours. I replaced the o-rings and seals on both sides as well as the rear cover seal. Problem fixed.
The axle seals were improved over the years. The new o-rings should be installed with a sealer. They weren’t at the factory.
The vent being clogged up would make sense, maybe something changing pressure with me rolling the car around and jacking it up forced fluid out that seal? Sounds crazy but makes just enough sense to be possible 😂
It seems since I sat the car back down fluid stopped coming out.
I guess ill just keep a watch on it for the time being and as long as it doesnt do it again or get worse Ill plan on replacing that o ring and sealing it as well as cleaning that vent (looks like it may be a royal pain)
Fluid definitely isnt coming out of the axle seals (right now)
There is a bulletin on this with revised procedures and use of some specific sealing material. Can't recall the exact details but I do remember we had to do some looking to find the specified materials. You might want to try and find a copy. I did it for a friend, but the diff was out and on its side so it was much easier to do.
Clean it ALL up using degreaser and brake parts cleaner. Then take the car for a short drive and then see if it shows sings of leakage. It would be easier to pin point the lark that way.
The vent being clogged up would make sense, maybe something changing pressure with me rolling the car around and jacking it up forced fluid out that seal? Sounds crazy but makes just enough sense to be possible 😂
It seems since I sat the car back down fluid stopped coming out.
I guess ill just keep a watch on it for the time being and as long as it doesnt do it again or get worse Ill plan on replacing that o ring and sealing it as well as cleaning that vent (looks like it may be a royal pain)
Fluid definitely isnt coming out of the axle seals (right now)
If you reach up in there and just move the vent cap thay may be enough if it is just stuck shut. You can then clean it really good later.
Clean it ALL up using degreaser and brake parts cleaner. Then take the car for a short drive and then see if it shows sings of leakage. It would be easier to pin point the lark that way.
Listen to the wisdom of the Bill Curlee and do this.
So after having cleaned it up and driving again, fluid is definitely coming from the bottom of that cover.
Definitely slowed with just driving rather than being jacked up.
My question is how is this something I did?
Some how, some way, this has to be correlated to me jacking up the rear end (with a 2x6 across the rear member)
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
fwiw I had my c6z diff built by rpm and after putting that in the car when I made hard wot pulls the bottom of the case would have fluid on it which looked like the side covers leaking... I didn't think that wasn't very likely that they would already be leaking and since it was only when running the car hard I figured the vent might be preventing pressure from escaping... I removed the vent completely and attached about a 12" piece of fuel hose to the oem vent outlet and on the other end of the hose I put a brand new vent which is basically just relocating it so it doesn't get hot like it does being right on top of the diff which causes it to stick and ever since then it has been bone dry... this may not be the case but something you could try before replacing the side cover or axle seals
fwiw I had my c6z diff built by rpm and after putting that in the car when I made hard wot pulls the bottom of the case would have fluid on it which looked like the side covers leaking... I didn't think that wasn't very likely that they would already be leaking and since it was only when running the car hard I figured the vent might be preventing pressure from escaping... I removed the vent completely and attached about a 12" piece of fuel hose to the oem vent outlet and on the other end of the hose I put a brand new vent which is basically just relocating it so it doesn't get hot like it does being right on top of the diff which causes it to stick and ever since then it has been bone dry... this may not be the case but something you could try before replacing the side cover or axle seals
Im glad you said that. I actually saw a comment of a similar procedure on a 2011 thread (just searching around), is there any chance you have some pictures? I'm handy but not a mechanic, definitely a youtube special (visual learner) "mechanic", the procedure seems simple and pretty self explanatory but pictures would make me feel better, if not I'll wing it and go ahead and change my dif fluid/do this come monday.
"Just pop the cap off leave the pipe pressed into the diff and remove the spring and rubber washer then attach ~6" hose to the pipe with a regular plastic jiggle top vent in the other end bending it forward.
This will allow the vent to work like a normal vent and cure 99.9% of all rear axle leaks.
Just don't drive through deep standing water and if you do change the diff fluid ASAP as it may ingest water.
And don't over fill when cold the fluid should be 1/8-1/4" below the fill plug."
Quote from corvettebob1 06-28-2011
Edit: I was able to get a good bit of information from the thread I found that post on. Looks pretty straight forward (just a royal pain in the *** to work in there.
Thank you everyone, leave any advice you like as I'll check back before monday. HOPEFULLY monday or tuesday Ill have my diff fluid change and this little hose mod done.
C5 Diff Fluid Leak
"