Recently I noticed that my aunt had a puddle of gear oil under the rear pumpkin so I pulled the cover cleaned it up new gasket and stopped that leak. Well now it has a very distinct whine when letting off the gas pedal, almost like a jet taking off. She had it at the shop for an oil change and I found a number of problems. First off the trans (auto) is over filled, the rear end leaking oil which I fixed partially but yesterday when I looked again the driveshaft in the rear is tossing gear oil all over the bottom of the truck. I know I should replace the seal on the rear end but here is the kicker. The mechanic said it might leak some gear oil from the rear pumpkin and it did but she took it several 100 miles anyway so if the rear end was dry for God knows how long because it has never left a puddle of fluid in her driveway before am I wasting time just replacing the driveshaft differential seal with out replacing the wheel bearings and going back in to check the rear diff? the ranter.
What makes this problem better or worse?
It is most noticeable letting off the accelerator
How long has your 2004 GMC Canyon had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2004 GMC Canyon. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
Hey, my name is Dusty, and I'm one of the auto experts on RepairPal's Car Genius team. I'm here to help!
The whining noise when decelerating indicates internal wear or damage in the differential, likely caused by low oil levels.
Running the differential without proper lubrication can lead to severe issues, so addressing this promptly is essential to avoid further complications and potentially expensive repairs.
So, replacing the seal puts the cart before the horse; you'll want to inspect the rear differential and wheel bearings thoroughly to determine all required repairs.
Anything with moving parts has the potential to have things go wrong, especially as it gets a little older; try as we might to prevent it.
An experienced professional can accurately diagnose the extent of the damage and recommend whether a simple seal replacement will suffice or if more extensive repairs are needed.
If you have any other questions or would like help finding a RepairPal Certified shop in your area, call us!
877-913-1554
