What is this leak?

[Michigan]

Hey guys, I have a leak in my 04 tahoe z71. 4x4.

What exactly is leaking here from the pics? I have an idea from a little research but want to be for sure so that way when I take it in to a shop I can act like I know what I’m talking about. Lol.

Also what is the procedure in fixing this leak? Is it just a gasket and how much should a shop charge for this?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

View attachment 206144 View attachment 206142 View attachment 206143 View attachment 206144 Hey guys, I have a leak in my 04 tahoe z71. 4x4.

What exactly is leaking here from the pics? I have an idea from a little research but want to be for sure so that way when I take it in to a shop I can act like I know what I’m talking about. Lol.

Also what is the procedure in fixing this leak? Is it just a gasket and how much should a shop charge for this?

Hard to see in the pics. Is it gear oil (smell it). If so, id say it's most likely the pinion seal on the diff.

 

[swathdiver]

Yep, looks like pinion seal time. Could be a sign of something more amiss and maybe not.

 

[Doubeleive]

ya I would say a majority of the time the pinion bearing and seal need to be replaced, you could do just the seal and then a couple weeks later find it leaking again because of the bearing, just my 2 cents.

 

[Michigan]

Thanks guys. I just spoke to a shop so I’m going to drop it off tomorrow morning.

Dumb question but is there fluid that will have to be drained and filled back up?

What is a reasonable shop price for this?

 

[Doubeleive]

off the top of my head I think you should be able to get out the door around $3-400 if there doing the bearing and seal but I could be wrong and yes it takes gear oil, to do the pinion bearing the carrier has to be pulled, so they have to pull off the wheels, pull off the brake calipers, pull the rear cover, pull out the axles, pull out the carrier and then they can access the pinion, so it's a little bit of work. if there is issue's with the carrier then you could be looking at up to or around $1k depending on what needs to be done. if it's just the seal that can be done from the front and is much cheaper.

 

[swathdiver]

Pinion Seal is 2.1 Hours, If the bearings 4.8 hours which should include the former, I think.

 

[Michigan]

Ok guys so I just drove home a half hour drive and parked and got underneath the truck with the light on my phone and this is what I seen.

It doesn’t look as if the leak is coming from the pinion, sorry for misleading. It’s coming from right above the pinion. Not sure what part this is. Unless it’s leaking from somewhere else and just flying up there as I drive

What pan is to the right side of the pinion in the last two pics?

I layed down some cardboard so I will try to smell/inspect tomorrow morning.

Ps I didn’t take it to the shop this morning

 

[SnowDrifter]

spin n sling

 

[Michigan]

Ok so then it probably is coming from the pinion?