Rear End leak ?

**justhend** · 07-05-2013, 08:13 AM

Hey guys I went to the dealership for an oil change and was told that I had a slight rear end leak. I have seen no oil leaking on garage floor. I was told this a couple years ago but then another mechanic said he saw nothing and I kinda forgot about it? Now the dealer wants 886$ for rear end seal replacement and 757$ for new oil pan. Wow. Is it worth it? If the leak is minor what kind of damage could it be causing? Could I just keep checking on oil level and replace more often?

Justin

**az gt eater** · 07-05-2013, 09:31 AM

The seal for the rear end in our cars weeps. You can replace the seal all day long, and it will still do the same. Just have him drain and refill it. The seal that leaks/weeps is the pinion seal. It is the seal around the input shaft where the driveshaft bolts to the rear end via the u-joint.

**2002ssslp** · 07-05-2013, 01:03 PM

You're first mistake was taking your car to a Chevy dealership. You have a weeping pinion seal, they all do this. If you replaced it in your driveway it would cost you 50 bucks to do. Your pan is fine unless it is dripping. Save your money and check your fluids at each oil change.

**justhend** · 07-06-2013, 08:25 AM

The only fluid I would have to periodically check would be the oil fluid right? I mean there is no special fluid that is leaking from that seal right?

**pajeff02** · 07-06-2013, 05:58 PM

Pinion leak was a factory installed option on our cars. Unless you have drips on your garage floor, just make sure the fluid level is to the bottom of the fill plug and forget about it.

**justhend** · 07-07-2013, 09:31 AM

Pinion leak a factory installed option? Please explain? Or were you just joking because it happens on so many of these cars? I believe you but are you saying that this dealer was basically just going to replace my oil pan and rear seal for nothing and then charge me about 1600$ and the thing was gonna drip again anyways? Actually that would not surprise me at all. Lol

**pajeff02** · 07-07-2013, 11:22 AM

They almost all leak -- hence the "factory installed option" joke.

**2002ssslp** · 07-07-2013, 04:04 PM

Justin, we like to joke a little on this site but when a member recommends something it is usually gospel. We will not steer you wrong.

**pajeff02** · 07-07-2013, 04:28 PM

Replacing the pinion seal is not too bad a job, but you will need some special tools. If you want to tackle it yourself, say the word and we'll walk you through the process.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-07-2013, 10:26 PM

FWIW - you can buy an entire used rear end assembly for $150-$300. That gives you an idea of how much they're overcharging you.

**justhend** · 07-08-2013, 07:52 AM

Hey guys thanks for the advice. Nice to know there is a place I can come to for some good advice.

Justin

**robcas47** · 07-08-2013, 03:04 PM

I personally have become an expert at swapping out the pinion seal. After the 4th swap I just gave in to the fact that the seal will just seep oil and I'm SOL. Best way to fix now is to swap out for a 12 bolt or a 9".