Leak from Differential - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

woyster_13ss · 09-29-2022, 02:36 PM

My 2013 Camaro SS with just over 60,000 miles has developed a slow leak from the rear differential. I've wiped it down, then checked it daily for the past week. I cannot determine exactly where it is coming from, but it appears to be coming from the gasket. Fluid was changed with Redline 75W90 about 20,000 miles ago, but just recently the leak has appeared.

Any tips on how to go about replacing the gasket? I've always had trucks and those are easy. I've read several threads mentioning everything from a simple process to having to disconnect exhaust, axles, etc. Any information is appreciated.

ABM2SS · 09-29-2022, 02:50 PM

It's a Metal Gasket (P/N 92230403) with an over-molded seal bead. The difficulty is that the rear Mount/Bushing is part of the Rear Cover casting, so yeah, it's a bit of work to replace.

ruby2010 · 09-29-2022, 08:24 PM

axle seals are actually pretty easy. Which side of the car is the leak?

woyster_13ss · 09-30-2022, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruby2010

axle seals are actually pretty easy. Which side of the car is the leak?

It doesn't appear to be from the axle seals, that was one of my first suspicions. I wiped everything down and don't see where it would be coming from an axle seal. Also, the fluid isn't being slung around under the car. Although, I have found some fluid around the drain plug area which has me baffled.

woyster_13ss · 09-30-2022, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABM2SS

It's a Metal Gasket (P/N 92230403) with an over-molded seal bead. The difficulty is that the rear Mount/Bushing is part of the Rear Cover casting, so yeah, it's a bit of work to replace.

Do you know what the procedure is to replace it? What all has to be disassembled? I'd assume the driveshaft disconnected, and the three mounting bolts. But does the exhaust need to be removed? What about the axles? Obviously a jack would be needed to support/lower the differential once the three bolts were removed.

I found this post from 2018 that makes it seem fairly easy (no driveshaft, axle or exhaust removal), but several others that go into more detail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synner

Place rags where axles will droop onto frame, loosen 3 diff bolts while supporting diff with jack, lower diff slowly, unbolt cover, potentially smack with a mallet to knock loose, replace gasket and apply some gasket sealer, replace cover and bolts, jack back up, reinstall 3 bolts. Can't recall torque spec but apply loctite (blue) and get nice and tight.

CamaroCracka · 10-01-2022, 08:26 PM

I don't see a way to get the diff out without removing the axles. You have to remove the axle nuts, disconnect the UCAs, toe rods and trailing arms. Pull the outer CV out of the hub and then pull the axle out of the diff. When putting the axle back, make sure the opening in the snap ring is facing down. You also need to disconnect the drive shaft and the three mounting bolts. Then it will drop out.

Before you go through all that, make sure the leak is not coming from the breather tube on top. I bought a borescope for $100 about a month ago and I already used it several times and it saved me lots of time. Using a scope to look at the top of the diff might be very useful in this case.

Eastbaycamaro · 10-02-2022, 05:51 AM

If I recall correctly the drain and fill plugs have a o-ring seal. In you case maybe the drain plug o-ring needs to be replaced

Joe.G · 10-02-2022, 06:15 AM

CamaroCracka, When i installed my axles after doing truetrac and gear swap I am not sure if I paid attention to what way the clips are facing, What is the purpose of this? I never heard of it until now. Thanks

fz4k98 · 10-02-2022, 08:45 AM

There is a product that i have used in the past to trace fluid leaks that you may be able to find. It is called leak trace powder. Clean the parts, and then spray this on, it sprays on clear but dries as a white powder that will allow you to trace the leak when it happens.

Its a lot easier when you know where the leak is coming from. I just replaced the left axle seal and it did not fling any fluid around on the car.

bsn · 10-02-2022, 09:22 AM

You can spray it down with brake clean to remove any remaining oil, then dust the suspected areas with baby powder. Any leak will cause the powder to darken.

chevy pilot · 10-02-2022, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fz4k98

I just replaced the left axle seal and it did not fling any fluid around on the car.

Me both seal in summer,asphalt under is now dry.

0stones0 · 10-02-2022, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fz4k98

There is a product that i have used in the past to trace fluid leaks that you may be able to find. It is called leak trace powder. Clean the parts, and then spray this on, it sprays on clear but dries as a white powder that will allow you to trace the leak when it happens.

Its a lot easier when you know where the leak is coming from. I just replaced the left axle seal and it did not fling any fluid around on the car.

I would bet that dye penetrate developer would work great as well.

CamaroCracka · 10-02-2022, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe.G

CamaroCracka, When i installed my axles after doing truetrac and gear swap I am not sure if I paid attention to what way the clips are facing, What is the purpose of this? I never heard of it until now. Thanks

It just makes it easier to pop the axles back in. If you pop them in hard enough, they will go in regardless, but I like things to go in fairly easy.

Joe.G · 10-02-2022, 08:15 PM

Gotcha yeah when I did my rear I just popped them back in, I did not have an issue and I also didn't pay attention to the orientation of the clips.

09-29-2022, 02:36 PM	#1
woyster_13ss Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 148	Leak from Differential My 2013 Camaro SS with just over 60,000 miles has developed a slow leak from the rear differential. I've wiped it down, then checked it daily for the past week. I cannot determine exactly where it is coming from, but it appears to be coming from the gasket. Fluid was changed with Redline 75W90 about 20,000 miles ago, but just recently the leak has appeared. Any tips on how to go about replacing the gasket? I've always had trucks and those are easy. I've read several threads mentioning everything from a simple process to having to disconnect exhaust, axles, etc. Any information is appreciated. __________________ Ordered 4/24/2013...Built week of 5/13/13...Delivered 6/7/13 2013 Inferno Orange Metallic Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS 6.2L V8, NPP, Manual 6-Speed, GM Performance Shifter, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Bo White's Stage III Ported TB, Sunroof, Window Tint, Gen5DIY Halo & DRL Harnesses, 5000k LED DRL Bulbs, APEX Skip Shift Eliminator, Hood Spears / Front & Rear Blackout Panels / Gills from Big Worm Graphix, Gary's Customz Front & Rear Painted Bowties, Powdercoated Wheels & Camaro Badges, Painted Calipers, Plastidipped Taillight Bezels

10-01-2022, 08:26 PM	#6
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,840	I don't see a way to get the diff out without removing the axles. You have to remove the axle nuts, disconnect the UCAs, toe rods and trailing arms. Pull the outer CV out of the hub and then pull the axle out of the diff. When putting the axle back, make sure the opening in the snap ring is facing down. You also need to disconnect the drive shaft and the three mounting bolts. Then it will drop out. Before you go through all that, make sure the leak is not coming from the breather tube on top. I bought a borescope for $100 about a month ago and I already used it several times and it saved me lots of time. Using a scope to look at the top of the diff might be very useful in this case. __________________ 2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

10-02-2022, 06:15 AM	#8
Joe.G Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 6SP Ashen Grey Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: NY Posts: 1,314	CamaroCracka, When i installed my axles after doing truetrac and gear swap I am not sure if I paid attention to what way the clips are facing, What is the purpose of this? I never heard of it until now. Thanks __________________ GM 3.91/TrueTrac OEM ZL1 Rims, Brakes & Side Skirts.ACST4 Splitter/Deflectors NPP M2W,GM Short Throw,Remote Clutch reservoir GPI Ported Rod Mod,BO White PTB,CAI/JRE Scoop, Moroso Catch Can GC Aluminum DS Stainless Works Ceramic LTH/HiFlo Cats SCT X4 Dynosteve, Hotckis 1" Springs & Chassis Max Brace BMR Adjustable Swaybars,Trailing Arms, Adjustable Toe Rod, LCA & Z28 UCA Bushings Hendrix Solid Cradle Bushings Pedders Radius Rod Inserts Strut tower brace Hero Smoked Tail and 3rd Brake Light, Diode Dynamic SL1 Fog Lights AeroForce Dual gauge/Autometer pillar mount.

10-02-2022, 08:15 PM	#14
Joe.G Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 6SP Ashen Grey Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: NY Posts: 1,314	Gotcha yeah when I did my rear I just popped them back in, I did not have an issue and I also didn't pay attention to the orientation of the clips. __________________ GM 3.91/TrueTrac OEM ZL1 Rims, Brakes & Side Skirts.ACST4 Splitter/Deflectors NPP M2W,GM Short Throw,Remote Clutch reservoir GPI Ported Rod Mod,BO White PTB,CAI/JRE Scoop, Moroso Catch Can GC Aluminum DS Stainless Works Ceramic LTH/HiFlo Cats SCT X4 Dynosteve, Hotckis 1" Springs & Chassis Max Brace BMR Adjustable Swaybars,Trailing Arms, Adjustable Toe Rod, LCA & Z28 UCA Bushings Hendrix Solid Cradle Bushings Pedders Radius Rod Inserts Strut tower brace Hero Smoked Tail and 3rd Brake Light, Diode Dynamic SL1 Fog Lights AeroForce Dual gauge/Autometer pillar mount.

09-29-2022, 02:50 PM	#2
ABM2SS Drives: 2010 SS M6 ABM Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nashville, IN Posts: 298	It's a Metal Gasket (P/N 92230403) with an over-molded seal bead. The difficulty is that the rear Mount/Bushing is part of the Rear Cover casting, so yeah, it's a bit of work to replace.

09-29-2022, 08:24 PM	#3
ruby2010 Drives: 2010ss Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: USA Posts: 73	axle seals are actually pretty easy. Which side of the car is the leak?

10-02-2022, 05:51 AM	#7
Eastbaycamaro Drives: 2015 2ss/rs Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Fremont Ca Posts: 29	If I recall correctly the drain and fill plugs have a o-ring seal. In you case maybe the drain plug o-ring needs to be replaced

10-02-2022, 08:45 AM	#9
fz4k98 Drives: 2013 1ss Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: WI. Posts: 544	There is a product that i have used in the past to trace fluid leaks that you may be able to find. It is called leak trace powder. Clean the parts, and then spray this on, it sprays on clear but dries as a white powder that will allow you to trace the leak when it happens. Its a lot easier when you know where the leak is coming from. I just replaced the left axle seal and it did not fling any fluid around on the car.

10-02-2022, 09:22 AM	#10
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 364	You can spray it down with brake clean to remove any remaining oil, then dust the suspected areas with baby powder. Any leak will cause the powder to darken.