Dealer Says: Leaking Front Axle Seals

[mwrbunny]

Took my H2 in for 90,000 service this morning. (local dealer doesn't sell new Hummers anymore, but they still service them.) Service rep called me and said Front Axle Seals we leaking (just wet around backing plates at wheel-end of axle...no major dripping) My mind went numb when he wanted close to $900 to fix.

Is this guy single-handedly trying to turn his dealership profits around?:rant:

I'm wondering how common this problem is, or if I'm just getting "up-sold" by rep.

[H2illBilly]

(just wet around backing plates at wheel-end of axle...no major dripping)

Are you talking cv boot or axle seal on either side of the diff? Those seals cant be more than a few dollars a piece, just say $20 for 2 seals, thats alot in labor cost. If your somewhat mechanically inclined you can do them yourself in half a day.

[lvmyhmr]

Any GM dealer can change the seals in the axle ends of the front diff. Call some others , I am sure there is a standard rate for doing it.....it is a 3/4 ton diff I believe.

[mwrbunny]

No, not the CV boot. I guess there is a seal between the Axle Housing and Wheel Drum......(not sure if drum is the right term) Differential fluid is sneaking past that seal.

[Easy Ed]

If the front axle is leaking near the "seals" it would be item numbers 3 and 55 from the way it looks in the 2003 service manual. Your axles (not shown) attach to items number 1 and 57 and there should not be anything leaking near the CV ends of the axles except for the CV's which you said it wasn't them. It does look as though it could take some time to repair but not sure about the $900.00 cost, others may have a better answer on that.

Now, just a note/question, the rear axle does have seals (item number 7) out near the "hubs", he would not have been talking about them would he ?

Myself, I have a leak in the front end and find the fluid on the skid plate when I do a lube and tire rotation. I just clean up the skid plate, check the front diff fluid and add a little if needed (which is a pain in the @ss) but it is something I can live with at 86,000 miles for the time being.

Good luck, Ed

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[mwrbunny]

Excellent. Exploded view of parts very helpful. Thanks for going to the trouble EasyEd. Dealers says both front leak, as well as one in the rear. They serviced both front & rear differentials/transf case, and said very little fluid had escaped....so at least I know it's not a big problem (for now). I spent $650 flushing/replacing trans fluid, brake fluid, diff/trans case service, brake inspection (still fine after 90K !) oil/lube.....I think that was it. Anyway, I figure I'll keep the beast for a while longer so I should go through it. They wanted $130 to replace A/C belt. I had them hold off to see if local mechanic could do it a little cheaper. Damn....goin' to the dealer hurts like fire.

[Easy Ed]

"Damn....goin' to the dealer hurts like fire." That is why they are called "stealerships" ;)

I try to do all the work on the truck I can, if it is something I cannot fix or do I will find a local mechanic that can be trusted to do it right the first time.

Just replaced all the exhaust manifold bolts and gaskets on mine due to a couple bolt heads popping off (common problem). Took a while but I know what was done and that it was done right.

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[HumminNBoatin']

Where did you get that book????

[Easy Ed]

http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?class%5F2=HUM&mk=Hummer&yr=2003&md=Hummer+H2&dt=&module=&from=result&Style=helm&Sku=GMT03N&itemtype=N&mscsid=KPJG2BKR5LP99M79SF4KEMFW36CM04Q1


Where did you get that book????