[Mr. G]

Took the wife's 2001 GP to the dealer to have the driver's side axel replaced. The morning after picking up the car from this repair, we noticed tranny fluid on the garage floor and could see it leaking from where the axel enters the tranny. The work order shows that no seals were replaced during this repair and I am curious to know whether it would be a standard procedure to replace the seal at the axel entry point, or if that would be considered an added option on the repair? Thanks!

Mr. G

[Sirrotica]

The majority of the labor has been done to replace the axle shaft, if the mileage was over 50,000 replacing the axle seal would only make sense at that time, however it's not automatically going to be done.

Most good service writers or managers would have made the suggestion that you replace the axle seal and make a few extra dollars for the dealership as well as the flat rate mechanic. That being said it's not hard to put a tear in the old seal or even a new seal when replacing the axle shaft. If it wasn't leaking before you took it in I'd be running the car back and tell them there was no ATF on your garage floor before the repair, and there is now. I would at the very most only pay for the seal, and the labor would be the dealerships responsibility. If they try to make you pay full boat I'd be asking to talk to the general manager or the owner.

[Mr. G]

Thanks Brad. That is what I was thinking also.