New Rear End Leaking Question

[Scott T]

Hello everyone out there. Quick question. Does anyone else have their rear end leaking where the left and right axle housing meets with the differential housing? I was told by a fellow worker that it's supposed to be welded in those areas. I had the rear main seal replaced back in Feb. and it fixed that leak, now it's leaking in another place. I have a 2000 Firebird with the 3:42 gears and limited slip. One thing I have learned is that when you get low on differential fluid the shifting between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd is very hard. Just as if you have a shift kit in it. Just thought that might help someone if they ever come across this problem (for those without shift kits). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Scott T]

Well I got out to the dealership and got my question answered. They told me that it is internally welded. I was still wondering if this has happened to anyone else. The dealership told me that there were 2 things that I could do. First, I could have the whole differential replaced. Second I could go ahead and clean it really good with a wire brush and brake or carb cleaner and put an epoxy over it. Being an aircraft mechanic I can get a hold of really good epoxy. The more that I think about it, I may just have the outside welded professionally and not have to worry about it again. I hope this helps everybody out just in case this happens to them.

[fenderman]

I am having the same problem with mine. It seems to be minor, but nevertheless it is there. Were you ever able to get the seams professionally welded and how much did it cost?

[black98V6]

you might want to really clean up the rear end and make sure that's where it's leaking.. either way you are gonna have to clean it really well if you are gonna use expoxy.. but that may show you the leak is somewhere else..

just an idea..

[BLUE]

Yeah, you're not alone. I think mine has been slowly leaking since I drove mine off the dealership lot. Now it gotten worst. I ran over a rock and hit the differential and it shifted both the pinion rear gasket and the rear diffy gasket and it's spraying lube all over. It's like an uncontrollable ejaculation. :D :D :D

[ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: BLUE ]</p>

[fenderman]

Well, I took it to my guy that has his shop about 2 hours from me. He told me that due to the thin nature of the carrier and axle housings that he was afraid of welding it to the point of it burning through the metal. He is not equipped with a mig welder, only an arc welder. He suggested using JB Quik, noting that I should of course clean the area and either drain the oil out so as not to contaminate the joint, or jack that side of the car up to tip the fluid away from that side.
So when I went to the auto parts store to pick up the JB Quik, my auto parts guy told me to first check the ventilation of the driveshaft. He said that if it is clogged, the fluid will travel the path of least resistance. He said to make sure the carrier assembly could breathe, drain the fluid out, and then clean both sides and apply the epoxy. He said there should be no more troubles so long as nothing is bent or broken. So I will try this and let you all know how it goes.

-Jeremy

[fenderman]

Ok, update... drained all old fluid out and cleaned the area. Epoxy lasted for about a day before the leak came back. Took it to dealer where I bought it from since the car has 4 days left on its warranty. They want to replace the entire rear differential. They won't attempt to repair the one on the car... so just to let others know what happened with mine.

[shortdog273]

Mine leaks a little also. :mad: