Pinion seal woes

Brian2002SS · 01-04-2003, 01:41 PM

Pinion seal is leaking bad after only 4,300 miles! Under warranty but I don't trust the local dealership to do a CORRECT job. Thus, could someone tell me the proper way to handle this issue, so I will know if the local dealer is taking the easy cheap way out? I mean, I have read some things about this and it seems like there is a lot of different ways a dealer could ATTEMPT to fix this problem. So could someone tell me what the best way to fix this issue? Thank you in advance!

Bone Maro · 01-04-2003, 02:16 PM

Here's what I see.

1) Take it to the local one. They can't really take the easy way out. It's a pinion seal. Either it leaks or it doesn't. If they replace it and do a good job, it won't leak. If they BS you and leave it in there, or do a crappy job, it will still leak when you get it back. There's really no way to "fake' the fix.

2) Take it to another dealership. If there's no others local, make an appointment at a reputable one and make the drive. The pinion seal is a 1 hour job in the hands of a good tech. Go eat some McDonalds or something while they make the repair.

3) Do it yourself. It's not that bad. You need basic mechanical knowledge, common sense, and an impact gun. It's all about attention to detail

Your call, your car

psychocabbage · 01-05-2003, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bone Maro
3) Do it yourself. It's not that bad. You need basic mechanical knowledge, common sense, and an impact gun. It's all about attention to detail

Your call, your car

Umm, I am curious.. I too found this to be an issue with my car

I remember doing the rear end gears on my 95 Z.. There was a bearing that had to be installed using a press.. Where is the rear seal and would this bearing be affected at all?

For mine, I am just taking it to a local dealer. Let them get it to me ASAP under warranty.. Just call and make an appointment.

Bone Maro · 01-05-2003, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by psychocabbage
Umm, I am curious.. I too found this to be an issue with my car

I remember doing the rear end gears on my 95 Z.. There was a bearing that had to be installed using a press.. Where is the rear seal and would this bearing be affected at all?

For mine, I am just taking it to a local dealer. Let them get it to me ASAP under warranty.. Just call and make an appointment.

Ok. I bought my Formula, and the pinion seal was leaking. So, they replaced it under warranty. 1 month later, it was leaking again. Again, it went in under warranty. When I picked it up and got it home, I found it was still leaking. So, I got under there and fixed it using an impact wrench(the pinion nut/yoke was loose). Here's the short of it:

1) Remove the driveshaft.
2) Remove the pinion yoke nut, and the pinion yoke(this is where you'll use the impact wrench the first time).
3) Remove the pinion seal, it's a ring of material that's insdie the front of the diff(you'll see it once the yoke is removed).
4) Replace the pinion seal and make sure it's flush all around.
5) Replace the yoke and pinion nut. You'll need the impact to get it back on.
6) Replace the driveshaft.
7) Run car around a bit and watch for leaks.

That's the quick version, but it's really a bit more involved than that

SteveC · 01-05-2003, 09:43 AM

I just had my gears swapped out on my A4 to 3.73's by a local reputable rearend shop. For $10 more they installed a "solid" pinion crush sleeve that would eliminate the seepage problem.

If you have the dealer do the job, purchase one and ask if they would use it in the install.

JMHO

SteveC

Brian2002SS · 01-05-2003, 02:06 PM

That is exactly what I am talking about Steve C! Thank you for the advice! I don't want what happened to Bone Maro happen to me. I want the dealer too TRUELLY fix the problem instead of attempting to fix it and it leaking again and me just end up fixing it myself because the service department provides no service at all but to prove they suck. Sorry.....So this "Solid Pinion crush sleeve " why is it different from the original and why would it work better than what they use now? It is odd that Chevrolet has displayed some sort of care to consumer opinions in regards to some things but totally missed the mark with others. For instance, my brother has a 1995 Camaro which cosmetically differs from my 2002 in regard to cup holders, middle console, and t-top leaking where they improved those things with the 2002. My point is this, that $10 dollar part GM can probably get for about 3 cents so why wouldn't they use that part if it has proven to be a better component. They seem to listen to consumers on many other issues why avoid this one? Anyway, if you could enlighten me in regard to the beauty of this Solid Pinion Crush Sleeve I would be very appreciative. Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and opinions on this subject!

stik6shift98 · 01-06-2003, 12:19 AM

pinion crush seal??????

mines been leaking for awjile now..........

SteveC · 01-06-2003, 05:29 AM

Brian2002SS;

Here is one that Jeg's sells, even though it is not for our rearends, it will give you an idea of what the item is. Actually this was suggested to me by the rearend shop that did my gear install, and I figured for $10 more, why not:

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...32&prmenbr=361

SteveC

Brian2002SS · 01-06-2003, 08:47 AM

Stik6shift98......you have this solid pinion crush sleeve installed and it is leaking still?

Anyone else have this part installed and it still leaks?

SteveC......thank you for your help, since my car is still under warranty, can you tell me if GM has this part as a "genuine" part they can use and not void the warranty?

Again, thank yall for the help!

stik6shift98 · 01-06-2003, 06:30 PM

im saying i dont know what it is

and mine is leaking

SteveC · 01-06-2003, 09:39 PM

Brian2002SS;

I do not know if GM carries this item.

SteveC

jfischer · 01-06-2003, 10:01 PM

My 2002 Z28 has a leaking pinion seal too (apparently). I've only got 2,800 miles on mine. I get some drips on the garage floor and there is a thin film of oil sprayed in a horizontal pattern above the u-joint/differential junction...

Brian2002SS · 01-06-2003, 10:50 PM

Jfischer......that is exactly what mine did. Thanks for the info. I took mine in for service this morning and will post what they say they did to fix the problem when I get my car back.

Anyone else having this problem also please let us know.

jfischer · 01-06-2003, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian2002SS
Jfischer......that is exactly what mine did. Thanks for the info. I took mine in for service this morning and will post what they say they did to fix the problem when I get my car back.

Cool. If you can let me know what they did and how long it took them it would be great. I don't want to leave mine there over the weekend, and I need to time it with the weather here in Colorado so that I don't get stuck driving it home in the snow

We haven't had any snow to speak of all winter, but I can guarantee that if I take it in and they have it for 3 days, it'll be snowing like a *(#% the day it's done...

Brian2002SS · 01-06-2003, 11:17 PM

I will post the outcome of the service just as soon as I get my car back.