Rear Axle Seal Replacement

This video will show you how to replace an axle seal on a Chevrolet Tahoe or any straight axle from GM. You will get step by step instructions how to do a full repair on your axle seal replacement.
If you have any further interest please visit www.2carpros.com/questions/new where can ask any questions for free you might have about your vehicle.
*Disclaimer: Please use all safety precautions

[@tysoncurrie7745]

Only thing I noticed to do first before you remove the differential cover is remove the fill plug first to make sure it comes out first, because if it doesn't then you wouldn't be able to fill the differential back up and would have to buy a new differential cover with a fill plug in it. Had it happen to a friend of mine.

[@MichaelLewis-ef2ws]

Bro you helped save the day. First time replacing a axle on my truck. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@SickestDisciple]

Sounds like a 90s infomercial with that music! 😂

[@2carpros]

The BEST kind of infomercial! Thanks for watching Alex!

[@SickestDisciple]

2CarPros for sure! Thanks for educating the non-mechanically inclined!

[@alexanderrey9079]

thanks you guys for taking your time to show us how it gets done . I just save my self 200 in labor

[@2carpros]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@justfishing6067]

Gave me just what I needed, my rebuild went very smoothly!

[@2carpros]

Chris w Awesome to hear please subscribe if you have not already.

[@2carpros]

Thank you, glad we could help!

[@majdalkasem6992]

Thank you very much, it has helped me for replace the axle seal

[@roozooreflections]

The only thing that I do different is to lube the seal before installing it. I makes the axle go in smoother and you don't have that chance of the seal getting damaged in the second or two it takes for the fluid to reach the new seal.

[@frenchlakeautopartsinc.9427]

the seal already had the grease on the seal if you look closely

[@daniel.pendzich]

what kind of lube are you suppose to use on seals?

[@hakanuzumcu4754]

@@daniel.pendzich you can use the gear oil from the axle to lube it

[@williemccraw2073]

Just saved hundreds by watching this video. Thank you.

[@2carpros]

Glad it helped!

[@sonadoralvarez5170]

Thank you for this video keep up the good heart. 😁

[@Psalm_ONE19_105]

good video, I am doing bearings/seals on my '64 C10 Stepside and the rear end looks the same inside (I just pulled the cover and drained the gear oil). I will pull the first axle later this afternoon. Very helpful.

[@09Youba]

If you are replacing both rear end seals is there a C clip for both axles? Great video. thank you.

[@forgedsteelwrench9249]

What does the rod that goes through the top gears have todo with removing the side gears???

[@juanorganista4320]

great video

[@edwardthayer9386]

Hello, within be the same procedure for the passenger side? Thank you for your time.

[@OscarMartinez-rw7tt]

Great video by the way. I was wondering ballpark figure what price would a shop charge to do this kind of repair? I just don't want to get ripped off. I have a 1998 chevy Tahoe 4x4.

[@cjcj6899]

thank you saved me alot of time

[@2carpros]

We really like reading comments like these. Please subscribe if you have not already.

[@felicelamanna5153]

nice video thankyou

[@lisataylor3968]

thank for the tips

[@TheIceman101]

Good video.

[@stevennovak7992]

How did you get the rotor off if the parking brake was set?

[@ArshdeepSingh-ok8ih]

anni deya eh mzaak ae😎😎😎

[@BIGTAGGART]

Do both axles get done the same way

[@boostredlinesyndicate6493]

Did u need to pound on the axel to expose the c clip? I'm thinking I need to do that?

[@BIGTAGGART]

How would you do the right side..will both axles come out when doing these steps??

[@spelunkerd]

Nice video, I'm sub'd.

[@2carpros]

Thank you!

[@JodBronson]

Good Video !!!

[@2carpros]

Thank you for watching!

[@Daddymauch]

Thanks for the commercials. Needed a fast video.

[@2carpros]

You're welcome! If you don't like ads, KZbin premium is available for cheap and also comes with music included! Thanks for watching!

[@jameslong7563]

Not sure this applies to "any straight axle from gm". My 97 C3500 14 bolt has drum brakes and 8 bolts holding the axle in. Any other important differences I should be aware of?

[@OnyxVortex]

This looks so fun.

[@michaelswitzer2121]

OnyxVortex till u smell that diff fluid then it's not every time I smell it I get sick

[@motivquotez]

Wow great video

[@2carpros]

Thanks!

[@spaceapex]

excellent video guys! I wish you had done the bearings at the same time however. Do you have a video on doing those also? Thanks again. 2000 Sierra 1500

[@2carpros]

We are sorry we didn't just do a bearing when we got this far into the repair. Here is the steps missing from the video to replace the bearing after pulling the axle out of the housing. Using a bearing puller pull the bearing out of the axle housing and install the new bearing.

[@aguilayserpiente]

Fine technical video.

[@2carpros]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@MrPapasmurf1961]

i took the bolt out and it was broke got the reast out but pin only comes out a little then stops wont come all way out ??

[@mikefuqua8727]

I have a 2013 Avalanche and have a leaking seal on the left rear. I have viewed your vid several times and have not been able to get the axle to push in far enough to remove the keeper. I know that it has been several years since you made the vid, but I know that there has been small changes since then. Do you have any ideas to help me out. Thank you in advance.

[@cforestmills]

Guess you should have sent cash.

[@mikefuqua8727]

So much for good samaritan reply. Will not be watching anymore of your vids, with that attitude.

[@ionbusman2086]

I’m getting ready to the same Left Rear on my 2011 Lanche

[@joseangelvilla8088]

I have a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 can you please tell me the torque and sequence?

[@lourvg]

Why does everyone insist on removing the caliper from the bracket? Just take out the 2 bracket bolts and remove the whole assembly, skip one step.

[@allensaunders2166]

I agree. The only time I remove the caliper is to replace the pads.

[@hakanuzumcu4754]

maybe because sometimes the brakes will slowly compress more and you wont be able to get them back on the wheel. You could maybe prevent that possibility by putting something in between the pads while the caliper is off though.

[@squattinskugly]

I like the serial killer music in the background haha

[@straightoutagta6699]

I have a problem with my drive train it will move a little bit and I’m having a hard time getting the clamp out. And I do have my truck in N

[@jcarlson2727]

use a magnet to pull the c-clips out...

[@bortexgaming3972]

You speak the truth.

[@greenguy-brwnthmbs]

Great vid, used this advice for my tahoe and now im helping/watching somebody do it now and they spun the axels to get the pin to pop while in park(they know everything), does that matter/make issues later?

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching! It should be fine as long as the engine wasn't providing power.

[@greenguy-brwnthmbs]

Cool, everything went back together fine and back rolling now. Thanks for the reply!

[@2carpros]

Awesome!

[@jeanbravo9331]

Did you put silicone on both sides of the differential housing gasket?

[@allensaunders2166]

You really don't need gasket sealer. Most people use it to keep the gasket in place.

[@dvanostenbridge]

Excellent video. 2006 chev Tahoe - I cannot push the axles in far enough to get the clearance needed to remove the C-Clip. I tapped on the end of the axle with a rubble mallet to make sure it was as tight to the outside seal as it could be and still don't have the clearance for the C-Clip. Do I need to move any gears out of the way?

[@jpmd4935]

David Van Ostenbridge use a helper to push in while you remove the clip...on my 06 Suburban I also had to give it a few whacks with a 4 lb dead blow hammer, and definitely use a small magnet stick to remove the clip

[@duramax78]

John Pearson I’ve tried everything axle wont go in fear enough, I need about a 1/8th of an inch still, please help.

[@flyurway]

I have the same problem. Right one pushed right in and I pulled the clip, but left one won't budge, rock solid! Hit it with 4# dead blow, nothing, 4# steel hammer, won't budge, sounds like beating on solid steel!

[@lazyEhangingL]

@@flyurway did you eventually get it out?

[@flyurway]

@@lazyEhangingL Heh, yeah! Turns out that on that side you also have to pull the ABS sensor! By the time I got done, turns out I screwed up the sensor too and had to replace that also.

[@xz5z59]

How mile ago change ?

[@kreutzer83]

is this the same as the 2007 Trailblazer 4.2 litre inline 6?

[@joshlinderman1499]

kreutzer83 yes

[@marianoaguirre5359]

Thank you

[@2carpros]

Thanks for watching!

[@mjlsx376]

How much does this differ from a 1999 Silverado 1500 5.3 with a G80? Is the ring gear a 8.625" or a 9.5"?

[@2carpros]

+SS It might look a little different but it is still the same process.

[@TheBadtomcat]

nice video start @930 done @ 1100 done thank

[@2carpros]

That's awesome to hear and nice speedy repair time! Please click our subscribe button if you haven't already.

[@osmanreyes7195]

Is there another way to take the axel out with out have to open the differential and take off the c clips ??

[@allensaunders2166]

Nope.

[@charliesgarageusa4986]

If you're going to all that trouble you might as well put on axle bearing while you're there to less then$20 a piece

[@HOGOSHA94]

can you send me a link please so i know what it looks like

[@codygentry9472]

NOT A POSI TRAC! It is an eaton G80 locker. Or “gov bomb”

[@kasperdecaire]

I own a 2005 Jimmy I got the lock bolt out not still looks good hope some could shed some light on why that metal pinion wont come out only goes as far as to show the hole for the bolt even then i had to bang it with a hammer and extention this is first time doing rear axle seals

[@scubarandy100]

Would the process be the same on a 3/4 ton axle on 2500hd sierra

[@2carpros]

Unfortunately it is not the same process. But we have a video in the works for a 2500hd GM axle seal.

[@jameslong7563]

@@2carpros both in the video and in the description it says this video applies to "any straight axle from gm". Now in this comment you're saying for this other gm axle it's different. Can you please clarify EXACTLY which gm straight axles this video applies to and which it doesn't?

[@juvevalerio3240]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005 and is making a whistling noise on the rear passenger side when I get up to 25 mph. for a moment I thought it was the tyre but now I am not 100% sure any ideas anybody?

[@supporterofeverythingyouli6255]

No E brakes? Nice 👌

[@davidschur7783]

I have a 2002 saturn l300 will your video work on it.

[@2carpros]

This is for a straight axle GM vehicle your car is equip with front wheel drive and CV joint drive axles. Here is a video of the similar repair but a different car still the same steps and process if you need to replace a drive axle in your Saturn I300 Axle Replacement 2007-2012 Nissan Altima

[@davidschur7783]

Thank you.

[@Justamedic77]

2004 chevy silverado 1500. Seen fluid all over the left side of the rear end and replaced the differential cover and did a fluid change. Still have a leak covering the entire left side from the differential all the way to the wheel. I can't tell where its leaking from. Any ideas?

[@2carpros]

Is it coming out of the pinion seal? Thanks for watching!

[@Justamedic77]

@@2carpros pardon my ignorance but where exactly is the opinion seal located? I know I sound like a moron who shouldn't even get near a rear differential with a wrench but this is my first rodeo with a rear end

[@2carpros]

Oh you are fine, this channel is all about teaching. So the pinion seal is located just behind where the drive shaft flange is.

[@Justamedic77]

Thanks for the reply and education. I found my leak. It's actually my transfer case leaking caused by the notorious pump knock. It has the entire undercarriage coated in fluid

[@miguelgomez63]

double gasketes?

[@jons56belair]

I recently got 2 prices 320 to 360 just to replace dust shields.

[@2carpros]

Jeeez!

[@Backwoods78]

So I put a silicone on both sides of the gasket?

[@2carpros]

If you don't want it to leak. Thanks for watching!

[@kcroc44]

Do u need to jack the vehicle off the ground to service my differential

[@2carpros]

ken crockett To service the rear differential you do not have to. But to replace the seal you would need to support the rear end.

[@philipvaughan320]

The bolt holding my pin in is 5/16 it won't budge and is starting to strip. Can't fit socket in it

[@2carpros]

+Philip Vaughan ya that can be tough, use a high quality 6 point wrench or 1/4 drive socket this will help.

[@philipvaughan320]

+2CarPros well finished the job the seal was tight and set in flat but still leaking fml

[@2carpros]

+Philip Vaughan is the axle okay? it could have a groove in it

[@philipvaughan320]

+2CarPros there was a slight groove unfortunately. Happens to be just enough for it to leak

[@2carpros]

i could be the bearing being bad too, check for play in the axle

[@kaleb7556]

will this work for a 1999 gmc Yukon ?

[@2carpros]

Very similar! Thanks for watching!

[@ronsimmons9402]

Was that seal installed backwards ?

[@condor5635]

Ron Simmons no it was installed correctly

[@duramax78]

U can’t install it wrong it has a lip.

[@keithkeithkeith9874]

I thought gasket and silicone don't mix or is it gasket and rtv?

[@2carpros]

RTV and silicone are the same thing here. Use both gasket and RTV if you don't want it to leak. Thanks for watching!

[@TheOklahomabourne]

I think I might have put mine in backwards and I beat them all the way to the bearing .. the pin was kinda stuck so I hit it and rotated it and hit it the other way and it went way in and got stuck .. I went ahead and took out the c-clamps from the top ..then pulled the differential to get the pin out .. I hope my seals don't start leaking lol

[@shawnmoore1628]

TheOklahomabourne o

[@TheOklahomabourne]

oh it never leaked ..after reading what i type I hardly understand myself lol .. talking about 2 different things at once .. but yeah I had my differential stuck where i couldn't turn it or get the pin out besides putting my rear seals in backwards .. I can turn a 10 minute job into 2 hours

[@daveo.5479]

I just keep coming back for the background music

[@2carpros]

That's what makes the videos tbh lol Thanks for watching!

[@hoyer_kristakrista7776]

what kind of silicone do I need ? anything special

[@2carpros]

I believe this is the one we used in the video amzn.to/2mugtMV it's better to get the high quality long lasting stuff. Thank you for watching!

[@kelliepierce4952]

IS THIS THE SAME WAY I WOULD REPLACE SEAL ON MY 2004 ENVOY????

[@2carpros]

Very similar! Thanks for watching!

[@mikec1096]

nice Porsche @ 10:12

[@stevepappas]

Is this the same for a 2003 suburban 1500 4x4?

[@2carpros]

yes

[@stevepappas]

If this is done in shop how much labor time would it take?

[@2carpros]

Steve Pappas It looks like 1.10 hours for one seal and 2.00h for both seals.

[@1981shooter1981]

I did that job but a month later it has same leak, I did not change the bearing or axle.... any idea???

[@2carpros]

Did you put the seal in correctly or damage the seal when installing the axle?

[@1981shooter1981]

I did in both sides and the leak is I same side as before, someone talk me. I have to replace the axle. soon I going to do same job but replacing the bearing too...

[@2carpros]

Jorge Morales Yes if your axle is worn on the side that keeps leaking it would make it impossible for the new seal to do its job. Keep us posted.

[@bobbyalexander8775]

What's up with the motorcraft oil in a GM vehicle? Sad

[@ronantcliff63]

+Bobby Alexander it looked like an old oil bottle, which would fit easier than a standard gear lube bottle.....

[@jeff123561]

Is the pinion seal the same as an axle seal

[@onewheelwonder1000]

No the pinion is on the front of the axle that snout that connects to the driveshaft. The axle seal is what he replaced.

[@wpowerwagon]

Don't forget if your car has more than 100,000 miles and the rear dif has never been charged, clean up all around the cover and keep old oil clean and when ready to re-lube put the old oil back into the dif first and add new gear oil, don't wash out the old oil from inside the dif, because if wash out and only add new oil, just get ready to replace the differ, it's that saying, buyer beware thing, I really like the way you showed how to replace the axle seal, hats off to you

[@angelalvares1818]

if the seat is broken you need to change the bearing

[@tommcelroy6975]

No reason to remove the parking brake shoes. Use a magnet to pull the c clip

[@VERNUCHI688]

I felt taught until the video skipped pass removing the bearings. What's up with that?

[@ProcessHF]

+VERNUCHI688 Because this isnt'a bearing replacement video?

[@michaelswitzer2121]

LOL

[@swss12]

didnt have to take the caliper apart

[@MrGetonnHarper]

Did mines a week ago, and notice a little drip this morning.fml

[@2carpros]

+Tony Harper is the axle okay sometimes they can have a groove or the bearing needs to be replaced

[@VeritasEtAequitas]

No torque specs?

[@2carpros]

You really don't need them too much. Tight is honestly good enough here. It's not like head bolts or anything.

[@VeritasEtAequitas]

@@2carpros there's a reason there's 10 bolts and there's a torque spec with a gasket plus RTV. I don't see how anyone calls themselves a "pro" if they suggest "eh, just tight enough, whatever".

[@2carpros]

Because I have been doing this for a large number of years and I'm just trying to help you out. Sorry if this free video isn't up to what you want but I can tell you no one in the field uses a torque wrench on differ cover bolts.

[@ericsj40885]

Love the 80s retro porn music 🎶

[@2carpros]

Always adds something! Thanks for watching!

[@MCRideout]

Could you just leave the e-brake shoe on?

[@2carpros]

Yes you can, we removed the shoe's for more convenience doing the repair.

[@jasonheath143]

You put the seal in backwards

[@2carpros]

The axle seal? You must be mistaken because it is in the correct way.

[@edhall8609]

Jason Heath

[@edhall8609]

Ed Hall

[@jasonheath143]

The spring on the seal goes in toward the axle housing

[@condor5635]

Seal was definitely put on correctly

[@calimero1569]

looks like ur not from rust belt

[@2carpros]

Nope. Thank you for watching! :)

[@robetheridge6999]

A video for a 2002 vehicle with hideous 1980’s background music.

[@ronbezella7557]

I can't take advice from a man who uses a numatic tool as a breaker bar.

[@2carpros]

Feel free not to. Thanks for watching!

[@mickthomas5162]

Ok, but used a disc instead of drum. Real deal killer was the music. I literally could not take more than 18 seconds.