Hello –

Yes things can be a coincidence….things happen.

My experience on this is based off of assumptions since I can’t physically look to see. My thought if you look at the attached picture…..is that if they removed the axle that is labeled number 1 and replace both boots labeled number 2 then it is possible that the seal labeled number 6 was cut, torn or just plain worn which is what is causing the leak…..again….without looking it is hard to say but this would seem reasonable.

In my experience, any time I remove an axle I always replace the seals. They have been in there in this case, 75,000 miles just like the boots were. I always replace both boots also.

Also, in some instances it is better cheaper sometimes to replace the entire axle………but you would have to compare prices for that.

Anyway, it is possible that since the axle was remeoved and remplace, if the leak is coming from where the axle inserts into the differential, then the seal is what is leaking.

Note, though they may have cut or torn it……again that seal was in there for 75,000 miles and moving the axle may have been just enough for it to get out of the shape it was in and now leak. Now is that their fault that the seal is old? No…….should it have been replaced……I would have.

So…..hope this helps…..

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Answered by ImpalaSS (expert)
3,179 answers provided

When I looked at the oily mess, I had no clue what I was examining. After I'd read a bit about differentials, I also had the theory that the seal had broken, but when I asked the the mechanic, he insisted that the leak was from around the gasket. Is it impossible to imagine that while pulling the old axle out or sticking the new axle in (they replaced my old one with a remanufactured axle; the remanufactured axle came completely assembled) they pried the two halves of the differential apart and caused the leak from the gasket? Thank you so much for your help.

Response from tyranomike
1 question asked

Hello –

If I understand you correctly……they didn’t completely remove the entire axle – they left part of it inside the differential?

Then they replaced the boot and put it all back together?

Did they replace one or both boots….inner or outer…..

Thank you very much for the donation

Please let us know if what the final fix was for your car so we can better assist others. Thanks!

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Answered by ImpalaSS (expert)
3,179 answers provided