Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blown Rear Axle Seal(s) ?

[PCrable]

My truck's stopping power seems to have been a little low and since I'm getting ready to take the 5th wheel out on a little trip, I decided to adjust the rear brakes a little earlier than normal.



I put the truck up on jack stands, put it in neutral and proceeded to turn the rear brake adjuster wheel a few times and then spin the tire to see if I could hear the pad dragging on the drum. I then normally put a small screwdriver in the slot to release the one-way turning lock and back the adjuster wheel off a click or too.



On the passenger tire, I turned... . and turned... and turned... and never did hear brake pad drag. I figured maybe the pad had worn out and maybe it wouldn't adjust any further.



I adjusted the drivers side and it seemed normal.



I removed the tire and rear drum and there looks to be oil or grease over just about everything inside. I hoped maybe some of this came from when I lost all my transmission fluid due to a hole worn in the cooling line, but I don't think I'm think I'm that lucky. The whole underside of the truck had been covered with about 8 quarts of Mobil 1 transmission fluid :-(



I cleaned everythin out real well with brake cleaner, but I would guess that the rear axle seal is blown.



I'll likely have to take it to the stealer to have the axle seal replaced. Should I have them replace the seals on both sides ? With the rear brake pads being soaked with oil, do I need to replace the pads too or will they be ok with a little wear ?



Thanks for the help,

--Phil



BTW, the truck has about 71,000 miles on it now.

 

[Fuzz]

me too!

I will be following this thread. . I was going to adjust my rear brakes and same thing. Pulled wheel on right side and everything covered... My truck has 37,000 on it but I bought the extended warranty so will let dealer fix it. Another weak point?

Fuzz

 

[Oil Ape]

Any shop should be able to change out the seals. Brake shoes hate oil and getting them clean enough to run again is next to impossible. As such, you will be replacing the shoes on both sides and as a general rule replacing both seals at the same time is not all that bad. If one side is gone the other may not be far behind.

 

[Texas Diesel]

No answer to your question but,



Every time I have seen a leaky rear axle it is the passenger side and seems to be the same here on the TDR. Everytime the person has a LSD too, I wonder if the fibers from the clutches are settling on the down hill side ( road crown ) and causing the seals to die. Just a thought but there is definately a trend here.

 

[Texas Diesel]

No answer to your question but,



Every time I have seen a leaky rear axle at the shop it is the passenger side and seems to be the same here on the TDR. Everytime the person has a LSD too, I wonder if the fibers from the clutches are settling on the down hill (passenger) side ( road crown ) and causing the seals to die. Just a thought but there is definately a trend here.

 

[DEZLPWR]

We should do a poll....

Mine blew on the pass side and I have LSD. (no, not the drug)

 

[Fuzz]

Psgr side,NO LSD

Mine is on passenger side,but I have just standard differential.

It is a 4x4 3500 FWIW

Fuzz

 

[PCrable]

Anyone have a rough amount on what they think it will cost me to have both axle seals replaced ?

 

[CAT 385]

I am having my brakes done today at MIdas. The drivers side rear seal was leaking.



I have the Dana 80 axle w/o LSD and they charged 100. 00 to change both sides.

 

[sinkinson1]

i seem to be one of the few with a driver side bad seal. dana 70 with lsd.

 

[78repowerwagon]

I am working on a friends 2000 3500. Drivers side blown on lsd.

 

[Cooker]

No LSD, I have done the drivers side twice and the passengers side once.



As already mentioned, once the shoes are coated with oil they are junk.



It is a pretty easy fix, IMO, if you are even the slight bit mechanically inclined. The most important part is that you have a 2 9/16 Dana axle nut socket (cost about $30).



-Ryan

 

[hdtrukn]

rear seal

Just thought I would add in my seal count.

Pass side 2,Driv side 1

Last time dealer fixed seal they did not fill Diff.

Result was a melt down of Pass side bearing.

Almost had a heart attack, told me I might need a whole Diff.

Dealer price was over $9k, not a miss print.

Got them to file it down, put it back together. cost $680

So far so good. I gone about 20k on it.

 

[K_Arts]

My truck currently has 31k on it... and I am positive that I am having the same issue.



My rear tires have oil stains all over them on the inside. Laser Bob pointed this out when he was fixing my transmission line a couple of weeks ago. Bummer... guess I get to see another trip to the local stealer and get raped for the cost (being that warranty only covers the brakes and rear seals for the first 12k. I learned it the hard way on the wifes last car!!!)



Kev

 

[hdtrukn]

coverage

Hey Kev

Both of mine were covered under warranty.

First time was around 19k, second was at 35k

covered seals and shoes.

Must say though, I drive over hour away to probably one of the best dealers I know, Foster Motors in Middlebury, Vt.

By the way they paid for the repairs I had to have while I was out of the country, up in Nova Scotia.

I hate taking it in, but it nice not to have the first thing they ask you is if you bought it from them.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: rear seal

Originally posted by SWorrall

Just thought I would add in my seal count.

Pass side 2,Driv side 1

Last time dealer fixed seal they did not fill Diff.

Result was a melt down of Pass side bearing.

Almost had a heart attack, told me I might need a whole Diff.

Dealer price was over $9k, not a miss print.

Got them to file it down, put it back together. cost $680

So far so good. I gone about 20k on it.

I don't understand??? If the dealer forgot to fill the Diff, why would you care what it costs to fix? The dealer would either fix it for free and give me a loaner vehicle while it was in his shop or I would sue his ass off

 

[hdtrukn]

You got to prove it First

Besides that I was out of the US.

Had to get it fixed. Then worry about who would pay.

Any idea what it would cost to rollback tow a truck from Nova Scotia to Vermont.

 

[David Oxland]

I lost mine, right side, both times, at about 20 and 40, K.

David

 

[SkipLieder]

I've had both replaced under warranty. First went out at 12,000, second went out at 28,000. Voiced my concerns about it happening after warranty runs out, and was told that they are seeing quite a few go bad on the 2000 3500's, but that they would be able to replace them shortly after warranty runs out, but not long after for free. Starting to wonder if I should have taken the extended warranty. What are everyones thoughts on the extended warranty?

 

[Fuzz]

EXT Warranty

I have it. . So far it not helped much ie. I had the right rear seal replaced as it was starting to seep. . Invoice was 50. 85 to replace the seal. Brake shoes OK. Also had the TSB for manifold nuts done.

Invoice showed 28. 00 for that. I paid The $50 deductible so really didn't save that much. Had a front differential pinion seal replaced for 67. 00,paid the 50 deduct. on that.

I bought a Axle nut socket a parts house for $12. 00. Probably do the next seal myself. (The socket was on sale,they ordered it special for a guy and got two).

But the way this truck is I am glad I bought it. Who knows. .

Fuzz

y2k,3500,4x4,6spd.