Rear axle seal leaking

[slug]

I have on 06 with a six speed and I suspect my rear axle seal is leaking. When I get out of the truck after driving it I get a strong smell of gear oil. I have not been under the truck to have a look but I have seen what looked like a lot of dirt on my rear wheel last time I washed it. I think it is oil getting slung onto the wheel and dirt sticking to it. I am keeping an eye on it now.

Anyone else have this problem?

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by slug

I have on 06 with a six speed and I suspect my rear axle seal is leaking. When I get out of the truck after driving it I get a strong smell of gear oil. I have not been under the truck to have a look but I have seen what looked like a lot of dirt on my rear wheel last time I washed it. I think it is oil getting slung onto the wheel and dirt sticking to it. I am keeping an eye on it now.

Anyone else have this problem?

That would be a new on, at least on this forum. The 14 bolt axle is the same one used on alot of other GM trucks My first thought (right or wrong) is that it's just one of those things that happens with mass produced products - minor problem on an occasional item. Sounds like the dealer should take care of that under warranty. I would have them look at it soon so you might be able to save your brake pads (especially your parking brake pads.

[ssr71]

I don't have a problem with any leaks on mine, but the brakes were lubed up way too much and I had a problem with the grease from the left rear caliper dripping onto the rim of the wheel after parking.

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by slug

I have on 06 with a six speed and I suspect my rear axle seal is leaking. When I get out of the truck after driving it I get a strong smell of gear oil. I have not been under the truck to have a look but I have seen what looked like a lot of dirt on my rear wheel last time I washed it. I think it is oil getting slung onto the wheel and dirt sticking to it. I am keeping an eye on it now.

Anyone else have this problem?

Is it one wheel or both? If it's just one then maybe you do have a leaking axle seal dripping on the inside of the wheel and the gear oil is attracting dirt. The rear end does have a vent hose. My SSR hasn't given me any problems but I have had other vehicles that developed rear end leaks and they alway marked their spots in the garage and the inside of the tires were soaked if it was a axle seal. Though with the wide wheels on the SSR I can see where inside of the rim would catch it.

[Mike in AZ]

Originally Posted by slug

I have on 06 with a six speed and I suspect my rear axle seal is leaking. When I get out of the truck after driving it I get a strong smell of gear oil. I have not been under the truck to have a look but I have seen what looked like a lot of dirt on my rear wheel last time I washed it. I think it is oil getting slung onto the wheel and dirt sticking to it. I am keeping an eye on it now.

Anyone else have this problem?

As an alternative, have you considerd a tranny leak??? The smell could be coming from the exhaust pipe directly under the tranny. If there is a slight leak, it will be vaporized by the pipe, but will really smell strong.

Get it on a lift.

Regards,

Mike

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

As an alternative, have you considerd a tranny leak??? The smell could be coming from the exhaust pipe directly under the tranny. If there is a slight leak, it will be vaporized by the pipe, but will really smell strong.

Get it on a lift.

Regards,

Mike

The first blue 06 I had (for about two weeks) did have a rear tranny seal leak and it did leave a mess every where to include a film on the tailgate. And yes...you could smell it. I had drops hanging from the back of the tranny and the differential. The shop said it was the rear cover of the differential. I asked them why there was oil up front. They said there was a reverse airflow under the car

They got it back the next day and I told them to keep it and bought the SC truck.