So how common are leaky pinion seals and seeping rear mains on the LS's?
05-18-2010, 07:36 PM
#1
So how common are leaky pinion seals and seeping rear mains on the LS's? I've had 4 LS cars now. I've got buddies that own LS cars and every one I've ever seen has had these two issues. They all needed the pinion seals replaced and they've all had seeping rear mains, not leaking just seeping. 3 of the cars i've seen with these issues had under 20K miles on them. Just wondering if there's a reason as to why...
05-18-2010, 08:12 PM
#2
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Pinion leaks are common, most of mine have seeped just a bit. For some, it becomes a serious leak. Mine have never been serious enough to need replacement.
I've yet to have a seeping rear main, and I too have owned 4 of these. 3 have been very low mileage though.
I've yet to have a seeping rear main, and I too have owned 4 of these. 3 have been very low mileage though.
05-18-2010, 08:43 PM
#3
Yes they are common but the rear pinion seal isn't really a big job to change out compared to the rear main. My 99 Sierra with the 5.3L had a leaky rear main but I replaced it when I had the trans rebuilt. My TA is also leaking from both the rear main and rear pinion seal but it has a ton of miles. I'll replace the rear pinion this week because I'm driving the car to North Carolina soon but I'll leave the rear main for now. I wouldn't really let that deter you from buying one unless it's leaking really bad..
05-18-2010, 08:51 PM
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05-18-2010, 09:10 PM
#6
Pinion seals are very easy to change out. Not a big deal.
The rear mains seeping I actually see more on the lower mile ones. My Camaro when I had it only had 17K on it and I've got another buddy with a 16K mile one that's seeping as well. I almost wonder if it's because they were driven so little.
The rear mains seeping I actually see more on the lower mile ones. My Camaro when I had it only had 17K on it and I've got another buddy with a 16K mile one that's seeping as well. I almost wonder if it's because they were driven so little.
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05-18-2010, 10:47 PM
#9
Well after reading a few other posts and threads I guess I should clarify. I don't know that it's the rear main that's leaking on the aforementioned cars. What I noticed was the seam between the bellhousing and oil pan was slightly damp and some had a drip forming but it never would drip on the driveway/garage floor/etc...
Again, these were on low mile cars for the most part. Like under 20K.
Do you guys think an easy break in could cause this? Like never really seating the rings as well as a hard break in would? Maybe too much blow-by causing the rear to seep because of excess crankcase pressure?
I dunno, just a thought...
Again, these were on low mile cars for the most part. Like under 20K.
Do you guys think an easy break in could cause this? Like never really seating the rings as well as a hard break in would? Maybe too much blow-by causing the rear to seep because of excess crankcase pressure?
I dunno, just a thought...
05-19-2010, 07:11 AM
#11
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Pinion seals are very easy to change out. Not a big deal.
The rear mains seeping I actually see more on the lower mile ones. My Camaro when I had it only had 17K on it and I've got another buddy with a 16K mile one that's seeping as well. I almost wonder if it's because they were driven so little.
The rear mains seeping I actually see more on the lower mile ones. My Camaro when I had it only had 17K on it and I've got another buddy with a 16K mile one that's seeping as well. I almost wonder if it's because they were driven so little.
05-19-2010, 07:41 AM
#12
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My car had maybe 40k miles and the pinion seal started to leak. Then again it was also a 10 year old car at that point, which may have had more to do with it than mileage, but who knows. Anyway that was my excuse to go ahead and change gears while I was changing the seal.
06-01-2010, 08:58 PM
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I had the pinion seal replaced at 42K after it was leaving 4-5 drops in the garage weekly. GM dealer did the work actually got it done under the "good will" warranty, but it started seeping again around 60K miles.
06-01-2010, 09:53 PM
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Pinion seals are very easy to change out. Not a big deal.
The rear mains seeping I actually see more on the lower mile ones. My Camaro when I had it only had 17K on it and I've got another buddy with a 16K mile one that's seeping as well. I almost wonder if it's because they were driven so little.
The rear mains seeping I actually see more on the lower mile ones. My Camaro when I had it only had 17K on it and I've got another buddy with a 16K mile one that's seeping as well. I almost wonder if it's because they were driven so little.
06-01-2010, 11:59 PM
#19
I would do the same exact thing in a ZR1 as i do in my Camaro. Drive 15k miles a year, all year round lol
06-02-2010, 02:20 AM
#20
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I have a '98 Z with 15k miles and an '02 Z with 97k miles; they both have the same amount of very minimal seepage in the common areas (neither ever leaves a drop on the ground, just some minor dampness at the usual spots). Point being, certain gaskets will seep a bit with age, no matter how much (or little) the car is driven.
I love having at least one super low mileage car, just to irritate the people who are anti-garage queen.
I love having at least one super low mileage car, just to irritate the people who are anti-garage queen.