Anyone replace an AXLE SEAL? HELP

Has anyone here replaced a driver's side axle seal? I noticed some fluid leaking from the area where the shaft meets the transmision on the driver's side. I hear a rumbling sound when I drive straight and turn right. My main questions would be can I use a prybar to remove the shaft from the transmission? And what should I expect to see. How do you remove the seal from the tranmission housing.

By the way I did replace the wheel bearing, but that what's the cause of the rumbling sound.

2001 Olds Alero 3.4 V6 70k miles

I would recommend reviewing a service manual, preferably the GM Alero FSM before starting this type work. You will have to prep the car by removing the respective hub first before you will be able to remove the axle shaft. Before that the ATF must be drained out of the transmission. You will need a special seal puller tool to get the axle shaft seal out and the new seal must be pressed in. Normally a special "J" tool is needed for that too but you may be able to improvise. Also, there is a thrust bearing for each axle shaft. To replace that if it is making the noise then you will need to remove the tranny side cover assembly which is a PITA of a job.

BTW - A company called ATSG makes service manuals specifically for the 4T45E autotransaxle.

thanx, looks like I'll be looking for the professionals to handle this. Way out of my realm of knowledge.

Around 60K miles, I had the dealership replace the passenger side axle seal. I have a 2002 GL1 V6.

I didn't think about it until now, but does anyone else think axle seals on these cars are a wide-spread problem...kind like the LIMs?

- Jeremy

Around 60K miles, I had the dealership replace the passenger side axle seal. I have a 2002 GL1 V6.

I didn't think about it until now, but does anyone else think axle seals on these cars are a wide-spread problem...kind like the LIMs?

- Jeremy

No. I don't see where it is a common failure or a big problem area. As far as drivetrain the top of my list would be the hubs. The LIM gasket problem is still an issue but it is not an issue if the LIM gaskets were replaced with the improved ones early on in the car's life. The local Olds dealer did our LIM gaskets back in 2003 under warranty just for general principle and due to a GM TSB notice. We were not having any problems back then.

gwdew, it does sound like the tbearing is bad, but could also be a CV joint making the noise.

My GA SE had the pass side seal leaking a while back, so I replaced both seals. You do need to pull the hubs and you need the tool to remove the seal. Thier is a clip/ring that holds the shafts in.

I have seen people tear up stuff trying to get these halfshafts out, because they didnt know that the clip was in there.

I would assume this is common if you drive hard on bad roads, at least that was my hypothisis on my problem seal.
Could also get damaged when new cv joints are put on if they damage the seal(s).

Good Luck

thanks all, I'm taking the car over to my local garage on wednesday 2/14 (happy valentine's day) to see if he could fix it. I'll let everyone know what the problem was and how much it cost. Wish me luck

This is somewhat off topic (sorry), but I had my LIM replaced when I bought my car. It was late 2003 and the car had 25,425 miles on it. Anyway, I was checking the oil at the gas station and I think I'm seeing some seeping oil coming from the area. That's where it started on my Malibu too. I thought they upgraded the materials in late '02? Oh well...

- Jeremy.

thanks all, I'm taking the car over to my local garage on wednesday 2/14 (happy valentine's day) to see if he could fix it. I'll let everyone know what the problem was and how much it cost. Wish me luck

well, the mechanic did say I needed a new driver's side axle seal, which I already knew. BUT, the weird thing is that he also said I needed new wheel bearings which I find odd. I replaced the drivers side wheel bearing to get rid of the humming growling sound, but there was absolutely now difference in the sound. I told him why would I want to replace something when I just replaced it last week. Which now makes me think it's the driver's side halfshaft more and more. Any other suggestions ppl?

well, the mechanic did say I needed a new driver's side axle seal, which I already knew. BUT, the weird thing is that he also said I needed new wheel bearings which I find odd. I replaced the drivers side wheel bearing to get rid of the humming growling sound, but there was absolutely now difference in the sound. I told him why would I want to replace something when I just replaced it last week. Which now makes me think it's the driver's side halfshaft more and more. Any other suggestions ppl?

When you replaced the wheel hub,
did you use an impact on the install?
If you didnt, then it's very likly your CV shaft is damaged.
Which could cause that seal to leak if it vibrated enough.

Hopefull its that and not something in the trans :eek:

I did not use an impact wrench on the axle when I replaced the wheel bearings. I used a torque wrench and torqued it to 284 using the original bolt. I DID have the trans reconditioned about 12K mi ago. I suspected that it might be the trans, but I think the garage doesn't want to say it's something in the trans b/c then they would have to fix it for free as per the warranty I have on the trans when it was reconditioned. When I bring it in to replace the axle seal on the driver side I'll will also tell them to change the driveshaft on the driver's side while they're already down there.

Out of curiosity, how much is the seal replacement gonna cost you? When mine was leaking, the car was still under the extended warranty.

- Jeremy

Out of curiosity, how much is the seal replacement gonna cost you? When mine was leaking, the car was still under the extended warranty.

- Jeremy


He was looking to charge me $270 and said it would take 3 hrs labor. The seal is no more than 30 bucks. I paying all labor.

The seal is about $28.
They have to remove the wheel, the hub, caliper, pull out the shaft . Then dig out the old seal and press in the new one.
Three hours is about right on the time also.

Hopefully it is that seal leaking and not the crankshaft seal(which is above the half shaft seal)
Those are known to leak tooo.