Look like I'm starting to get some major leakage from my rear Pionion seal. How difficult is it to replace the seal? Do i need to tear down the whole Differental?

 

No, you do not have to disassemble the whole rearend to replace that seal. It's not even all that difficult.

Suitably support the car, remove the driveshaft, mark the position of the pinion nut relative to the pinion gear shaft, remove the pinion nut, remove the pinion, remove seal, install new seal, install pinion, install pinion nut and tighten until it is in the exact some position as it came off, reinstall driveshaft, refill rearend with good oil and GM LS additive.

The nut must go back on in the same position as it determines preload on the pinion bearing. If it goes on tighter you will cook the bearing and obviously can't be too loose.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!



I know what I'm doing tomorrow....

 

I drive a 97 ss, and reading your post reminded me that i always had pinion seal leaks. I bought the car in august of 2000. By November, i changed the seal. About 6 months later, i changed the guts to 3.73 from stock 3.42. New seal, leaked again. I was on my third seal until i put the car in for major surgery, including a 12 bolt. Keep an eye on it, it seemed to be a recurring problem with my old rear. Good luck...

 

I have the same problem, it seems like a slow leak though because the differential was still full last time I checked- but it slings fluid everywhere so it looks like a lot and is kind of scary(saying that, now I am wondering if I shouldnt check it again LOL)

Anyway let me know how the fix goes, I was planning on doing gears so I was going to wait and do it all at once- but I dont think I am going to do that now, so the easier the better.