I have some diff fluid inside the rear wheel on my 95z. I am goingto replace the seal but when i waslooking for one to buy i see a wheel seal and axle shaft seal. Are they the same thing?

 

so your differential is leaking ,the main seal on your rearend ,sound like you need the main seal they call it ,some replace the cover too they cheap enough ,I have a small leak too I need to deal with next year ? the part I don't get is its leaking into your tire or onto no there not one an the same the way your wording it

 

thats not it, i think youre speaking of the pinion seal...the seal im speaking off is around the wheel bearing, you gain access to it by pulling the shaft out. Im pretty sure its leaking from that one causing gear oil on the brakes and inside the inner wheel.

 

i believe its a axle seal. let me have a look.

 

in my 93 parts manual i show it as a rear wheel bearing seal. gm part #26029139

 

In our case, and any semi-float rear, a wheel seal and an axle seal are the same thing. National/Timken part # 8660S

First time doing it should take 30 minutes at most.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/137391.../shares/x73707

Let me know if that link works but thats a small pic of the inner wheel. I tried to order the seal and it popped up in a few fields with random names and threw me off. But as far as the work I have to remove the diff cover, pop out c-c clip and pull the shaft out correct? I just had this thing replaced a few years ago, I am hoping its not the bearings.

 

looks like axle seal leak ,its there ,never,seen that one learn something new all the time ,looks like you got your answer

 

bearing may be getting hot and causing the failure. make sure its not overfilled too.

 

crud, I think you may be right about the over fill. I did replace the fluid a few months ago and I started noticing the leak recently but im sure its been going on a while. What are the symptoms of a bad bearing, besides the howl noise? Im debating with myself on whether I should change the bearing as well