Oilman222

Confused - I checked the brakes on a 1997 Tahoe and found that the drivers side axle seal is leaking. Then I took off the diff cover plate to get at the "C" clip to take the axle out and found that I didn't know what I was looking at. In the old days, it looked much different than what is in my diff. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
KD

amac209

it's exactly the same as it used to be in the old days. remove the 5/16" bolt in the side of the case, slide out the pin, push the axles in and remove the clips. you probably have an eaton locker or posi in your diff but don't let that stuff scare you.

Oilman222

OK maybe I just don't know what all the centrifugal parts and springs are. Is that what you're calling a locker or posi? I don't want to take something apart and find out that I don't have the tools or experience to set it up correctly.

KD

glenncof

My locallibrary has full shop manual for my 1997 Tahoe. Take a look for one of these.

I have rear seal leaks but not too bad so I negelect. Mybe some day I get in "gear" and do it.

espurgeo

Apparently the 1997 Tahoe has a problem sometimes with servicing the driver-side front 4x4 axle seals. Mine was leaking too, so I had the shop look at it finally when I had it in for some other repairs.

The problem is that with regular use, over time, the clip that holds the axle in the diff deforms and doesn't actually release the axle like it should. They told me that if it doesn't pop out (which it didn''t) that the only way to get it out was to cut something (either the shaft or the case, I forget which) with a torch of which, the replacement cost was around $1200.

So, if it is leaking, try to pop it out. If it doesn't come out, just put it back together and "faa-getta-baat-it."

Good luck!

glenncof

Eric, good info but to clarify ... you are talking about FRONT

and I'm talking about REAR which I think Oilman is also referring to.

Fortunately no leaks in front for me at 118K miles.

amac209

about 95% of the time the f.l. axle will come out easy. i've only seen one case where the axle had to be torched and that was because the flange broke off the axle while the mechanic was beating the crap out of it with a big ass sledgehammer.