Should I replace my axle shaft seal?

The axle shaft seal is not a moving part, but it is always working. Its job is simply to stay in place and prevent fluid leaks. Barring contamination, it could conceivably last you the life of your vehicle. It requires no maintenance, and only needs to be replaced if it becomes damaged.

How serious is a front axle seal leak?

If the leaking axle seal does not get fixed soon and the transmission is slipping, you could cause permanent damage to the transmission. The severity of the leak affects how safe it is to drive with a leaking axle seal. Do not push it too far though, as ruining your transmission is an expensive repair.

How long does it take to replace a front axle seal?

The labor time for each is 1.1 hours. An OE axle seal is about $25 and an aftermarket SKF seal is about $13. The axle seal replacement cost in this instance will be around $123 using aftermarket parts or $135 using OE parts.

How long can you drive with a leaking axle seal?

If the leak is small and you can’t make it to an appointment for a few days, it is okay to drive your vehicle as long as you keep the transmission fluid full. Do not push it too far though, as ruining your transmission is an expensive repair.

When to replace the front axle shaft seal?

You’ll incur costly repairs or have to replace the transmission entirely. A small leak can be monitored closely and managed, but if you’re losing a lot of fluid, get the front axle shaft seal replaced as soon as possible.

Can a leaking front axle seal cause a transmission to seize?

You should never neglect any type of fluid leak. If the front axle shaft seal is compromised, you could end up leaking transmission fluid, and at some point your transmission will seize up. You’ll incur costly repairs or have to replace the transmission entirely.

How much does it cost to replace axle seal on Toyota Corolla?

On a 2004 Toyota Corolla, the labor time for a front axle seal replacement (one side) is 2.6 hours and a Beck/Arnley seal costs about $7. Total job cost would be $267. On a 2014 Chevrolet Impala, the labor time for a front axle seal replacement is 1.2 hours.

How much does it cost to replace oil seal on CV axle?

A lot of seal replacement jobs could have been avoided if the installer of the new axle bothered to replace the oil seal with a new one. The part is around $10 and only adds a few minutes to the job. Either a small pry bar or seal removal tool will work.