Axel Boots Leaking

[Aero_Sport_Concepts]

So just as the title says. A month or so back my passenger side Axel Boot started leaking grease form the outer edge. Took it in to the dealer and they checked it out. Said it could be that I'm sitting a little low because of my Coil Overs. So after that I brought her home and raised it up about 1/4" more.

Now a couple weeks ago the driver side started to leak also. The car is only approximately 5/8" lower than OEM settings and camber neg .5 deg over OEM. This doesn't seem like a lot of difference to me over the OEM settings.

Took her back into the dealer this week and they stepped up and are replacing both Axels as a one time courtesy. Great news.

Question or opinions.
Does my setting seem like they would cause this???
When dealer changes axels do they need to drain the dif oil???
If so what oil should I replace it with. ??? I track 6-8 times a year and drive hard
Are the 1LE OEM axels the same as the ZL1 axels???
Has anyone else seen this issue???

[Schluney]

The oem are stronger than the standard SS axels but not as strong as the ZL1 I don't think they are interchangeable though. I don't think lowering the car 5/8" would cause it plenty of guys run the apex/pfadt 1.25" springs.. When I changed my Diff I went with royal purple because I had some at the shop this seems to be a popular choice but redline and Mobil1 seem to be more used on this forum..... I've heard of the diff making noise with royal purple but I haven't experienced it...

[ICTsccaCamaro]

Pretty sure 1LE and ZL1 share the same axles and hubs correct?

[yotaman96]

Originally Posted by ICTsccaCamaro

Pretty sure 1LE and ZL1 share the same axles and hubs correct?

No, the differential is different causing the axles to not be interchangeable.

[Mark T]

Yes the 1LE half shafts are stronger than the standard SS, but the ZL1 halfshafts are even beefier than the 1LE's.

[Aero_Sport_Concepts]

Originally Posted by yotaman96

No, the differential is different causing the axles to not be interchangeable.

So are we saying you can't simply change axels from ZL1 to 1LE because rear ends are different.

Originally Posted by Mark T

Yes the 1LE half shafts are stronger than the standard SS, but the ZL1 halfshafts are even beefier than the 1LE's.

[Mark T]

I do not know about interchangability, but I do know they are different.

[yotaman96]

Originally Posted by slickrichic

So are we saying you can't simply change axels from ZL1 to 1LE because rear ends are different.

That is correct. You'd have to use a ZL1 diff and a driveshaft that would bolt up to the 1LE trans and the ZL1 diff.

[yotaman96]

Stock SS diff.



Stock ZL1 diff.



Stock SS passenger side axle vs stock passenger side ZL1 axle. Not near as much difference on the driver side.

[X25]

Especially if you're going to track, I'd highly recommend Amsoil 75W-110. It will provide better protection, and will also let the LSD perform better compared to 75W-90 fluids. 75W-110 standard is fully compatible with 75W-90, by the way.

[bannonm]

Originally Posted by slickrichic

So just as the title says. A month or so back my passenger side Axel Boot started leaking grease form the outer edge. Took it in to the dealer and they checked it out. Said it could be that I'm sitting a little low because of my Coil Overs. So after that I brought her home and raised it up about 1/4" more.

Now a couple weeks ago the driver side started to leak also. The car is only approximately 5/8" lower than OEM settings and camber neg .5 deg over OEM. This doesn't seem like a lot of difference to me over the OEM settings.

Took her back into the dealer this week and they stepped up and are replacing both Axels as a one time courtesy. Great news.

Question or opinions.
Does my setting seem like they would cause this???
When dealer changes axels do they need to drain the dif oil???
If so what oil should I replace it with. ??? I track 6-8 times a year and drive hard
Are the 1LE OEM axels the same as the ZL1 axels???
Has anyone else seen this issue???

After the 1LE came out, I swapped the hubs and axles to the 1LE axles. The hubs are the same for the ZL1 and 1LE. My driver's side outer boot started leaking grease within 40 miles of driving. Got it replaced and both sides have been fine since then. I'm lowered an inch so I doubt that is your problem. You probably were the lucky recipient of a bad batch like I was. The only thing we could see that could have been the cause was the stainless band that clamps the boot on to the CV just wasn't tight enough.

The diff oil does not leak out when you pull the axle out. The only thing you really need to pay attention to is not cutting the seal on the diff when pulling the axle in and out.

The ZL1 axles have more splines on the inner CV and that's why they are not compatible with the SS diff. The outer spline is the same, hence why the 1LE/ZL1 hubs are the same part.

[VR Baron]

Hope the problem is fixed. In my research I find I am following Pete x of Pedders advise and keeping the rear ride height at 26" as measured from the lower wheel lip to fender top for a 20" rim. Seems lower when on hi speed courses can cause the problems you had.Not sure what your overall drop is but may check it out

[cornerspeed92]

So are they saying it's cause of your coil overs?

[Aero_Sport_Concepts]

Originally Posted by cornerspeed92

So are they saying it's cause of your coil overs?

No, they could not explain it. They matched mine up to OEM set up and wasn't enough difference to say it was the cause hence why they are replacing both Axels.
They mentioned the Joint could have been packed incorrectly and may be causing the issue.
They ordered part. Special order stuff so need to wait tell next week to install