Leaky front axle shaft seals. HELP!

[sonjar9]

So I just bought a 2001 Silverado and noticed gear oil leaking very slowly from the drivers side front axle shaft. I brought it to a mechanic and he replaced the seals twice and the leak only got much worse. Figured out that Napa had sent out the wrong seals, so I picked some up from the dealership. Replaced with those seals twice. Now only the passenger side leaks but it leaks more than the drivers side leaked originally. The mechanic is just as frustrated as me and talked to someone at the dealership who told him that the differentials were bad in these trucks and metal pieces break off and end up destroying the seals. Has anyone else heard of this? My mechanic said the seals didn't look bad too where he would expect that, and he also said the axles aren't bent and don't look worn at all and the seals fit tight. I'm just looking for ideas or advice before I consider a new differential, which is what the dealership recommended. Can anyone help?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by sonjar9

So I just bought a 2001 Silverado and noticed gear oil leaking very slowly from the drivers side front axle shaft. I brought it to a mechanic and he replaced the seals twice and the leak only got much worse. Figured out that Napa had sent out the wrong seals, so I picked some up from the dealership. Replaced with those seals twice. Now only the passenger side leaks but it leaks more than the drivers side leaked originally. The mechanic is just as frustrated as me and talked to someone at the dealership who told him that the differentials were bad in these trucks and metal pieces break off and end up destroying the seals. Has anyone else heard of this? My mechanic said the seals didn't look bad too where he would expect that, and he also said the axles aren't bent and don't look worn at all and the seals fit tight. I'm just looking for ideas or advice before I consider a new differential, which is what the dealership recommended. Can anyone help?

The gear oil in my 2000 siL when new had a lot of gray color to the oil i replaced oil in the front diff 3x every 10kmi then this oil remained normal in color....the seals will leak if not properly installed..go to another repair shop that has been successful in this repair...


make sure that the plugs have magnets and clean magnets...if no magnets get plugs with them...............

[Bob B]

Maybe the seals are being installed backwards?

[sonjar9]

So no one can confirm the dealership story that the differentials are just bad on the 2001s? I guess that is my main question. I think I'm gonna have the mechanic crack the differential open and see if it looks damaged in any way.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by sonjar9

So no one can confirm the dealership story that the differentials are just bad on the 2001s? I guess that is my main question. I think I'm gonna have the mechanic crack the differential open and see if it looks damaged in any way.

the reason I suggested that you bring to another repair shop that is familiar with this repair is because there may be internal componets that are worn....


lets say your rear wheel bearing seals were leaking.....most likely the bearing is worn causing excessive travel damaging the seal.....if the person were competent when replacing the seal this should have been discovered on you front diff seal leaks....etc....

[basanch73]

I agree with J CAT. I had the same problem only to find the outer bearings worn in the axel that caused it. Replaced the bearings and seals together and hasn't leaked since. I'd check the shaft's up and down play first myself before taking it to the mechanic again.