Leaky Butt- Advice Needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Leaky Butt- Advice Needed
So my 2005 c6 z51 with A4 tranny has developed a case of leaky butt on the drivers side of the differential. I believe it is coming out of the output shaft seal. Is this a diy project or should I take it in for repair? I called a local tranny shop that specializes in lsx cars and vettes and was quoted between $350 and $400 to pull the differential and replace all of the seals. Or I can do a 3.42 gear swap with installation, fluid and seals for $700 otd. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.
Brandon
Brandon
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
I found a write up today about changing this exact same seal but I think it was on a c5 but the diff looked the same. The tranny shop told me that to do it right they would pull the diff and change ALL of the seals instead of just the leaky one, so I wouldn't have problems down the road. But 400 sounds kinda steep to me for just a simple seal. Does any one have any experience with the 3.42 gears on the a4? Is it worth it? In theory it looks like i can change this myself for around 100 bucks and that's buying some tools i don't have already... or for 600 more I get gears and don't have to mess with it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 3
From: Anderson Indiana
$700 otd for a 3.42 swap with new seals and tuning is an unbelievible deal, I would jump on that.
You will notice a huge difference if you are coming from 2.73's and not so much if you have 3.15's. I have never had a customer regret doing a 3.42 swap on an A4 car.
You will notice a huge difference if you are coming from 2.73's and not so much if you have 3.15's. I have never had a customer regret doing a 3.42 swap on an A4 car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
There is no tuning included, and they don't offer it at their shop either. Is tuning after a gear swap required? And I believe it has the 3.15 factory gears that are included with the z51 package ,correct? Also would you recommend any other gear swap? I was told today that 3.42s are the lowest gearing they would recommend on the a4 does this sound right? I probably wont do the swap at all if there isn't much of a difference in feel.
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 just had my drivers side output shaft seal changed. Seal was ~$20.00 and labor was $125. At the Chevy Dealer. Took the mechanic about 1.5 hours. He even topped my fluids off while he was under there.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
That is a total shocker... you sure that wasn't a "brother in law" price?? I was under the assumption the dealership would be a raping. I am definitely calling the dealer tomorrow then, thanks for the input! Just might be the best news I have heard all day. Let ya know tomorrow. haha
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
There is no tuning included, and they don't offer it at their shop either. Is tuning after a gear swap required? And I believe it has the 3.15 factory gears that are included with the z51 package ,correct? Also would you recommend any other gear swap? I was told today that 3.42s are the lowest gearing they would recommend on the a4 does this sound right? I probably wont do the swap at all if there isn't much of a difference in feel.
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 is a total shocker... you sure that wasn't a "brother in law" price?? I was under the assumption the dealership would be a raping. I am definitely calling the dealer tomorrow then, thanks for the input! Just might be the best news I have heard all day. Let ya know tomorrow. haha
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
You should definitely start buying that man birthday cards and treat him like family.. haha. I just got off the phone with my local chevy dealer and they told me to change the drivers output shaft seal only it would start at $440 and it might be more if they find anything else once they are in there.
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
You should definitely start buying that man birthday cards and treat him like family.. haha. I just got off the phone with my local chevy dealer and they told me to change the drivers output shaft seal only it would start at $440 and it might be more if they find anything else once they are in there.
W I'll look in my Mitchell book but I am pretty sure it's only 1.5 hours listed so either your dealer is charging the Corvette Tax to the extreme or something's wrong. Did they say what they were going on hour wise and how much per hour.I'd check around with some of the mechanic chops around town just to see what they telkl ya'll. Our local Corvette shop typically wrongs neck and neck with the dealer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Yea I think they are trying to rape me. they are however close to the price the tranny shop quoted me. however the tranny shop was going to change ALL of the seals.
Last edited by VictoryVette; Feb 23, 2011 at 12:21 AM.
