Oil Seals: Notes

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2004 GMC Envoy XUV, 2004 GMC Envoy XL, 2004 GMC Envoy, and 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Lubricant leaks from a oil seal may be caused by any of the following:

An improperly installed seal
A distorted seal
A worn seal
A worn shaft
A brittle seal lip
A hardened seal lip

To determine the actual cause of the leak, clean the area around the leak. Observe the area of the leak and determine the if the seal or another component is causing the leak. A worn seal surface will cause a leak at the sealing lip while a misaligned seal or a seal installed into a housing with an excessive bore will cause the seal to leak at the outside surface of the seal. Hardened or cracked seal lips usually indicate the axle is operating beyond the normal temperature limits for the axle. A seal whose sealing surface has been nicked or cut may indicate that the shaft has a rough, burred, or gouged surface and will need to be inspected before the seal can be replaced.