Hey guys,

I just bought an '09 c30 with a couple leaks. The big one I'm worried about now is the axle seals. I'm not experienced in working on cars, but I'd like to get into it. Are axle seals a good first job, or should I spend the few grand on getting a shop to do it? I couldn't find any videos or anything online for it. Thanks!

 

my suggestion is to check out youtube for any videos of somebody replacing axle seals on a Volvo or similar FWD car. You should look for any special tools required such as a retaining clip removal tool or a tool that presses the seal in, and how the axles are removed/reinstalled. From there you can judge if you're comfortable with doing the job yourself.

PS - I don't think replacing an axle seal is going to cost a "few grand" - my guess is it's about 2-3 hours of shop labor plus parts (the seals run in the $20-30 range tops, the only hidden cost will be if the axle itself needs to be serviced (such as replacing a torn boot) or replaced. If you have a local shop in mind, give them a call and ask for a budgetary cost estimate in terms of book rate hours and parts.

 

Sorry, not a few grand. Shop quoted me about a grand for it which I thought was insane. Got that and the total cost for some other repairs mixed up. Thanks for the advice, I'll take a look into some other types of cars!

 

Realistically - a 14 year old European car is going to have "leaks". How much they leak and how much you want to spend to fix the leaks - is up to you. A cardboard square or a scrap piece of carpet has lived in my garage under every Volvo (and BMW/Porsche/Maserati) since I've been old enough to realize or care that spot was coming from MY car.

Exactly how much does your car leak? If it's an axle seal - how much trans fluid are you having to add? (and are your topping up with the correct fluid?)

 

Thanks for the response. I figured the car would have leaks when I bought it, but whoever did the work on it last did an absolutely horrible job. They used the wrong seal for the cam cover and I'm still trying to figure out how to get it off without breaking it. I've only had the car for about a month, and 3 weeks of that has been in the shop thanks to bad timing. I had them add some trans fluid while I was there, but I'm not sure the rate it's leaking. It doesn't seem to be leaking while parked, but when I do drive it, it does seem to leak rather fast. Hard to tell without a dipstick, though.

 

I'm going to say axles seals are easy. It does take a tiny amount of delicacy, but I think it's easy. Especially easy to get to. If you don't have any experience, you'll certainly get some taking the front suspension apart. You need to look at how that stuff works and don't make any mistakes on the front suspension.

 

+1, plus patience is a good thing when pressing the seals in. Reason I mentioned special tools is I once did the rear axle seals on an Audi Quattro and those were recessed about a half an inch vs being flush. I found a shop that rented the factory press tool for a perfect outcome.

 

Thanks for all the advice! I got it back from the shop and it immediately leaked oil from the cam cover, which the last guy who owned the car superglued in place. :/ I'll take a shot at the axle seals myself once it's all done!