Axle seals

[Wattsyurz]

While doing work on the driver's side rear wheel, I left the car severely tilted on a jackstand overnight. The next day, there was a small puddle of 90 gear oil by the passenger wheel. Could the lube have been too full, or do I need to take the axles out for new seals?

[Dober89]

Where did the oil come from??? Im not sure where the breather is on that axle but I know some leaked out of my axle when I had it tipped up.

[Wattsyurz]

This happened after I reinstalled the drivetrain ('83 Z28) and was doing the quarter panel on the driver side. I had topped off the diff lube after filling the gearbox. The spill was gear lube, but I don't know where the (breather?) is. I figured that the seals - bearings may need attention after 20 years of Z28 life.

[89IROC&RS]

well it is very possible if they are the original seals, they need to be replaced. but we still dont have a good idea where the leak came from. was it from the center, or out by the wheel???

[Wattsyurz]

It's near the wheel, and it's not a leaky wheel cylinder. I am thinking I may have overfilled. Or seal and bearing time. I went through the engine and trans, but not the differential. It doesn't make noise, so it should keep until well after the paint is finished.

[89IROC&RS]

if its near the wheel its one of two things, i just happen to remember, that you said it was jacked up, so it is possible that if it ran out of the breather, it ran down the length of the axle tube, and off at the wheel. otherwise, sounds like you do need to do your seals.

also, the proper level for the rear end, is to take out the fill plug, sitck your finger in the hole going down, and you should only get lube on the end of your pinky finger. more than that, is too much.