Rear differential experience...

[03cts sport]

Have an 03 (out of warranty) and noticed that there is some leakage with the rear diff. Took it to the local Cadillac dealer who advised me that all the seals need to be replaced, with a $900.00 price tag. I mentioned that there is a recall, to which I was advised "only on the newer ones" (which I knew). I asked what the difference was between mine and the ones that have been recalled? They apparently could not give an answer. They agreed to offer GM Goodwill in which we will split the cost 50/50. This is a little more bearable...

[MJDART]

Wow, that's pretty decent.

[CTSV_510]

ALL the seals? I don't know how many there are, but I have heard that plenty of people who got the recall seal done had it done while they waited (1 hour or so I think). So even if there are 2 or 3 seals (doubt they ALL need to be replaced), how can they justify $900? Even split in half that hurts.

[mikesim]

Originally Posted by CTSV_510

ALL the seals? I don't know how many there are, but I have heard that plenty of people who got the recall seal done had it done while they waited (1 hour or so I think). So even if there are 2 or 3 seals (doubt they ALL need to be replaced), how can they justify $900? Even split in half that hurts.

IIRC, my friend who works for GM goodwrench told me that they don't service the transmission or differential when something breaks. They just replace the entire units.

It's probably cheaper too (labour wise) to just drop the whole unit and put in a new one.

[ewill3rd]

The difference between the recall seals and the "older" seals is the composition of the seal material.
The manufacturer changed the seal compound which led to a leak. They kept records of when this was done and seals manufactured after the change are subject to the recall.

As for the price of the repair it depends on what seals they are replacing.
"all of them" suggests that they are doing the output seals as well as the pinion seal.
Those both require removal of the rear axles, which requires disassembly of the rear suspension.
A labor intensive process to say the least.
Sounds like about $300-$400 of that is labor, easy. Not sure about parts pricing.

Honestly you are fortunate that they are willing to do goodwill for you on that.
As for whether or not it needs all the seals replaced... that is another story.
Usually one will cause the others to look like they are leaking. Pretty odd that they should all fail at the same time, even with high miles.
If you start questioning them now though, they might back out on the warranty help.
Catch 22 really.

If there is a major problem it is usually easier and faster to swap out the whole diff. We can service them, but whether or not they do that sometimes depends on the guys they have working there.
I can swap out the whole unit, but honestly, I am not very good at rebuilding them.
I can do it, but it would take me forever.