Front Axle Seal

[GeorgeJung]

I got the message to change brake pads... How long do I have before they need changing? Will they last a month not really driving a lot?

The dealer mentioned the front axle seal (drivers side) is leaking transmission fluid and needs to be replaced. Is this something I can easily do myself? I cannot find any info on how to do this. Is there another name for it? If anyone can provide a link to a how-to, or where to look in the FSM it would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Ranger]

You have plenty of time on the brakes. Not sure what to say about the axle seal. It should be in the trans section I believe.

[ewill3rd]

Two items worth cautioning you about here.

1. The output seals on the transmission are not that hard to replace but it can be tricky. One false move and you could crack the side cover or tear something else up. I like to use seal installers to make sure the seal is installed square and doesn't get bent from tapping it into place with the wrong type of tool.

2. USUALLY when the left seal starts leaking it indicates wear in the 3rd clutch housing! There is a support bushing inside the 3rd clutch housing that holds the axle in place. If it wears the axle will sag and cause the seal to leak because now the pieces are not being held correctly.
This can be an expensive repair as the transmission must be partially disassembled to check it out and repair it.
Make sure whoever works on it knows what they are doing.

[GeorgeJung]

Is it worh while replacing both front seals when replacing one?

Also, if the seal is replaced, and the leak stops is that a sign that things are being held properly and no further action is required?

[Ur7x]

Before you waste money on the seal, listen to ewill, he is right... If the seal is leaking it is probably a sign of internal tranny damage... Take it to a trusted tranny shop and get their opinion first.

[ewill3rd]

I would have someone look at it, an experienced transmission guy if you can find one.
Doesn't have to be a GM shop but it should be someone well versed in the 4T80-E.
You can try to replace the seal, it could stop.
No sense in replacing the one that isn't leaking. If it ain't broke, don't fix it
You could create problems in the long run by tampering with something that is working the way it should.

[AJxtcman]

All they need to do is grab the left inner CV tripod and push it up and down. If it moves you have an internal failure.
This is very common and the ONLY reason I have ever seen the left axle seal leaking. The third clutch housing is a big job I get paid well for it. The trany must come out. The last left axle seal - Third clutch housing I did (last month) ended up getting a trany. Every bushing was burned up and the hard parts that came in contact with the bushing were just as bad. I got screwed on that trans. I tore it down as I usually do to repair the third clutch housing and every thing I pulled out was junk. Just a little more. I diagnosed it on a Thursday. We did not want the guy in a car over the weekend, so we reschedule it for Monday. He came in Tuesday. My boss pulled it in to one of my stalls. I moved it at the end of the day into another stall. It left a stream of fluid. I had added fluid to it the week before. The lesson here. If you run a 4T80E low on fluid it will burn up the bushings. third clutch housing bushing BTW it did not have a P0741

[GczGrumpy]

Would that leak be on the drivers side where the wheel is? becuz im having my car towed this morning for leaking fluid on that side and this sounds like my problem. the tranny was shifting horrible for like a week before I even seen fluid on the ground.I was checking for codes and got none then 1day fluid on the ground BTW 2003 sts 80000k had it since feb07

[AJxtcman]

Originally Posted by GczGrumpy

Would that leak be on the drivers side where the wheel is? becuz im having my car towed this morning for leaking fluid on that side and this sounds like my problem. the tranny was shifting horrible for like a week before I even seen fluid on the ground.I was checking for codes and got none then 1day fluid on the ground BTW 2003 sts 80000k had it since feb07

That sounds correct. Left side, just in from the tire.

[GczGrumpy]

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

Two items worth cautioning you about here.


2. USUALLY when the left seal starts leaking it indicates wear in the 3rd clutch housing! There is a support bushing inside the 3rd clutch housing that holds the axle in place. If it wears the axle will sag and cause the seal to leak because now the pieces are not being held correctly.
This can be an expensive repair as the transmission must be partially disassembled to check it out and repair it.
Make sure whoever works on it knows what they are doing.

This is exactly whats wrong with my sts dealer had it for a week took two days to figure it out now waiting on the parts to come in.I knew it had to the problem when I read that post EWILL was dead on the money.Thankfully all done under warranty

[ewill3rd]

Glad they got you fixed up Grumpy, thanks for letting us know.

[codewize]

Dude, did you have that looked at yet? That's NOT a good sign at all. Those seals don't go bad. When they leak or at least when mine leaked it was a sign of a rare but known issue. The dealer tech nailed it right on the head too.

Basically the repair is a very costly and extensive trans rebuild.

The failure is the final drive assembly bearing. It's a needle bearing just inside there that fails, the drive assembly or 3rd clutch housing move around and tears the seal up. It's not pretty at all.

Actually I think ewill3rd has a better description than I do but the parts replaced in mine were the 3rd clutch housing, a complete rebuild kit of clutches and plates, the seals, bearings and bushings and a few other misc things.

My bill was over $3000


EDIT: After reading back I see ewill3rd is correct in diagnosis. Glad you have a warranty. I was a little upset with myself at that point for not getting the warranty.