Front Differential Leak

Discussion in 'Volvo Forum' started by Espey127, Mar 25, 2021.

  1. Espey127

    Espey127 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 13, 2016
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    2019 VNL760

    Background, at 270k, noticed a tiny spot of oil on front differential. Since still under the 350k warranty, brought it straight away to dealership. They replaced the output seal.

    Now, at 402k, 132k/13 months later, bam, oil is everywhere suddenly. In Maryland, a few miles from PA, there's only one dealership, don't want to mention name, sure you all can figure it out. So on Monday, (today is Thursday) since there are no Sunday hours, brought it in. Have to drop trailer 1/4 away at lot for $20/day. By mid-afternoon, they said it's the output seal again and it would be around $1,500. Right away began challenging the now out of warranty item since it only lasted 132k. Makes me think there's a manufacturing defect since first lasted 270k.

    The original shop, which so happens to be the same as originally purchased new tractor from, said there's no grey area, it's out of warranty. So now being stuck in MD, force to get a room. From the time leaving via a taxi to getting in a room (10 minutes later), the cost increases to 6k. Stating the entire differential assembly is required. Only to find out they never had taken it apart, nor have they at the time of writing this up but continues to insist it's replacement.

    Contacting 1800 Volvo to open a case was absolutely useless. They said it's up to GM and warranty person. Which lead us to contacting our orginal salesman, really nice guy. He was able to contact our home shop GM which in turn got his Volvo rep involved. Now they all are questioning how can a person condemn a differential without opening it up. The Volvo rep was able to log into the dealership system and see the lack thereof evidence supporting said claim. This is a flipping circus.

    Now there's water contamination with no evidence of how it got there with the exception of a loose breather cap. The cap showed no evidence of oil seepage prior to our current issue. Our thought is the cap was still on, even if only finger tight and if the differential pressure didn't cause oil seepage, then how could water get it. At the same time, no other cracks have been found.

    Does anyone have any tips or thoughts about what the actually mechanical proem or how to continue dealing with this saga.

    Forgot to mention they also said axle seals are required because they are leaking even though oil is everywhere from differential leak. Not sure how came to this conclusion.
     
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  3. Mattflat362

    Mattflat362 Road Train Member

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    Good grief man. Sharing this with a friend that has a 2019 Volvo which also has some out of warranty issues and he only has 140k on it.
     
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  4. Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

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    I had my output seal replaced on my 2012 with 725k miles on it. The shop sent me away after it was replaced but the leak was about the same.
    The shop said this happens occasionally where the oil is seeping by the threads on the shaft. They put some sealer on the threads and no more leak and it's been about 6 months.
     
  5. Jaebo74

    Jaebo74 Medium Load Member

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    You're getting hosed. I can't see, aside from entire replacement, that it would cost $6000 to change a ####ing seal. Did they start making them from palladium? A complete rebuild of the differential probably doesn't cost that much.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2021
    Skwhirl and Bean Jr. Thank this.
  6. Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

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    My total bill was around $350 for labor and parts.
     
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  7. Espey127

    Espey127 Bobtail Member

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    The ordered an entire remanned carrier
     
  8. Socal Xpress

    Socal Xpress Road Train Member

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    Under warranty or on your dime?
     
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  9. Espey127

    Espey127 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 13, 2016
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    My dime. Fought over warranty and policy with district managers. Nothing, no discounts, nothing. Was at different dealership 45 days prior for a rear axle seal leak which apparently counts for nothing.
     
  10. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    So what actually failed? Lets have some details.

    Was it solely because of the water contamination?

    Was the through-shaft or output bearing damaged?
     
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  11. Espey127

    Espey127 Bobtail Member

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    Details should flow in the morning.

    The vent cap was only finger tight (the tech's best guess is that the cap was probably loose from day one), no cracks could be found anywhere. The only logical conclusion is water must have collected near the vent, eventually leaking in contaminating the oil. Therefore, breaking down viscosity of oil which inturn, caused premature metal wear and then creating catastrophic damage like seen on the ring photo (focus on bottom right side, have to zoom in). Since metal was floating around in the system, it must have punctured both axle seals in the process.

    20210325_153053.jpg
     
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