Replacing Drivers side axle seal
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
Replacing Drivers side axle seal
I seem to chasing down some irritating problems lately.
My 08 Vert A6 drivers side axle seal started leaking and is now getting the booty dirty/oily (rear booty not the CV booty). It's not leaking much but is leaking enough to go ahead and replace.
I usually like to turn my own wrenches and was wanting to know if it's worth the time spent. Book calls for around 3 hours. My usual Mechanic says he'll do the job for $190.00 plus parts and supplies.
I am usually a good judge of what I can do vs paying for it.
What's involved and how difficult of a job is it or should I just pay the man and kick back and relax?
My 08 Vert A6 drivers side axle seal started leaking and is now getting the booty dirty/oily (rear booty not the CV booty). It's not leaking much but is leaking enough to go ahead and replace.
I usually like to turn my own wrenches and was wanting to know if it's worth the time spent. Book calls for around 3 hours. My usual Mechanic says he'll do the job for $190.00 plus parts and supplies.
I am usually a good judge of what I can do vs paying for it.
What's involved and how difficult of a job is it or should I just pay the man and kick back and relax?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 5
From: louisville "derby city" kentucky
hey RL, it's not too bad a job. remove the wheel and brake caliper and rotor. disconnect the upper control arm, and remove the cv shaft axle nut. slide the axle out of the hub, then remove the axle from the diff. should pop out with a little shove between the diff and cv joint. then pop out the seal, and replace. as much as you have done on these cars, this should be no problem for you............
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
That sounds a lot easier than I was envisioning. I was thing old days and going into the differential and removing "C" clips and such.
Any or much loss of diff fluid? No altering of the alignment?
Any reason to do both sides while I'm at it?
Thanks for the input.
Any or much loss of diff fluid? No altering of the alignment?
Any reason to do both sides while I'm at it?
Thanks for the input.
hey RL, it's not too bad a job. remove the wheel and brake caliper and rotor. disconnect the upper control arm, and remove the cv shaft axle nut. slide the axle out of the hub, then remove the axle from the diff. should pop out with a little shove between the diff and cv joint. then pop out the seal, and replace. as much as you have done on these cars, this should be no problem for you............
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I've since bought the service manual set. The procedure there is to drain the fluid and remove the side cover to pop out the seal from the interior. The manual shows a seal installation tool, but it doesn't seem anymore necessary than when installing a wheel bearing seal. It also says to replace the O-ring on the cover. I bought 2 qts. of the GM fluid that supposedly is specifically formulated for them. It's sitting on my shelf waiting for the next time.
BTW, I've had my axles out of the differential a couple of times and never removed the axle nut. A carefully placed prybar will do the trick.
The 3 hours is probably right with the car on a lift, but 4 if the first time and in your garage on jackstands. Add time for old age as necessary.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
Yeah the problems you can run into Vs paying the man which the 190.00 looks like a very reasonable labor rate.
Funny the old age factor is a factor these days as well. At 50 I find myself aching for a few days after being in a position that I haven't been in for a while.
I'll have to peek up in there tomorrow and see if I want to do this or not.
Funny the old age factor is a factor these days as well. At 50 I find myself aching for a few days after being in a position that I haven't been in for a while.
I'll have to peek up in there tomorrow and see if I want to do this or not.
My problem was popping out the seal that was leaking, so I took it to the dealer. It's covered under the 100k warranty, if you want to go that direction.
I've since bought the service manual set. The procedure there is to drain the fluid and remove the side cover to pop out the seal from the interior. The manual shows a seal installation tool, but it doesn't seem anymore necessary than when installing a wheel bearing seal. It also says to replace the O-ring on the cover. I bought 2 qts. of the GM fluid that supposedly is specifically formulated for them. It's sitting on my shelf waiting for the next time.
BTW, I've had my axles out of the differential a couple of times and never removed the axle nut. A carefully placed prybar will do the trick.
The 3 hours is probably right with the car on a lift, but 4 if the first time and in your garage on jackstands. Add time for old age as necessary.
I've since bought the service manual set. The procedure there is to drain the fluid and remove the side cover to pop out the seal from the interior. The manual shows a seal installation tool, but it doesn't seem anymore necessary than when installing a wheel bearing seal. It also says to replace the O-ring on the cover. I bought 2 qts. of the GM fluid that supposedly is specifically formulated for them. It's sitting on my shelf waiting for the next time.
BTW, I've had my axles out of the differential a couple of times and never removed the axle nut. A carefully placed prybar will do the trick.
The 3 hours is probably right with the car on a lift, but 4 if the first time and in your garage on jackstands. Add time for old age as necessary.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Yeah the problems you can run into Vs paying the man which the 190.00 looks like a very reasonable labor rate.
Funny the old age factor is a factor these days as well. At 50 I find myself aching for a few days after being in a position that I haven't been in for a while.
I'll have to peek up in there tomorrow and see if I want to do this or not.
Funny the old age factor is a factor these days as well. At 50 I find myself aching for a few days after being in a position that I haven't been in for a while.
I'll have to peek up in there tomorrow and see if I want to do this or not.
PM me a number and I'll fax you the shop manual pages.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
I looked up under the car a little while ago and it didn't seem daunting. The 99 degree weather may play a part though...
I called the dealer to get a seal and they told me 2 weeks to get one in. Do you know if it's a dealer item only or if NAPA or someone like that may carry the seal? I put a WTB in the FS section for a vendor so maybe one of them will come through.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I got the service manuals on disk and just been lazy the past night or so to look them up. I appreciate the offer though. I primarily wanted to get experience input as well.
I looked up under the car a little while ago and it didn't seem daunting. The 99 degree weather may play a part though...
I called the dealer to get a seal and they told me 2 weeks to get one in. Do you know if it's a dealer item only or if NAPA or someone like that may carry the seal? I put a WTB in the FS section for a vendor so maybe one of them will come through.
I looked up under the car a little while ago and it didn't seem daunting. The 99 degree weather may play a part though...
I called the dealer to get a seal and they told me 2 weeks to get one in. Do you know if it's a dealer item only or if NAPA or someone like that may carry the seal? I put a WTB in the FS section for a vendor so maybe one of them will come through.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
hey RL, it's not too bad a job. remove the wheel and brake caliper and rotor. disconnect the upper control arm, and remove the cv shaft axle nut. slide the axle out of the hub, then remove the axle from the diff. should pop out with a little shove between the diff and cv joint. then pop out the seal, and replace. as much as you have done on these cars, this should be no problem for you............
How much fuild did you lose doing it this way so I'll know how much to buy?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If you trust your dealer, it's under warranty till 100K.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
In case he doesn't respond, I had my axles out of the differential 4-5 times and never lost a drop. If you can get the seal out without removing the side cover, you wont need any fluid. Otherwise 2 quarts and a new O-ring.
If you trust your dealer, it's under warranty till 100K.
If you trust your dealer, it's under warranty till 100K.
This is one of my rebuild projects so I'm warranty blocked or it would be at the dealership. They have a really good corvette mechanic.
I'm in the mood to turn a wrench...
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
hey RL, it's not too bad a job. remove the wheel and brake caliper and rotor. disconnect the upper control arm, and remove the cv shaft axle nut. slide the axle out of the hub, then remove the axle from the diff. should pop out with a little shove between the diff and cv joint. then pop out the seal, and replace. as much as you have done on these cars, this should be no problem for you............
My mechanic seems to think there is, and I see this post mentions it as one of the steps: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ny-others.html
I'm imagining getting to the output shaft seal on my '05's diff would be nearly identical to this video on the c5:
