72 Pinion Seal replacement

[Stephen C.]

I am the proud owner of a low mileage, 4 Star Bowtie, L48 convertible. The car just spung a pretty bad leak at the pinion seal. The leak is bad enough to leave lubricant drops dripping off the floor pan around the pinion.
I drive the car about 150 miles a year. The mechanic in me says to replace the pinion seal. The NCRS in me says don't do that as you might devalue the car by leaving signs someone has been removing parts in the area of the pinion.
Does anyone have an opinion on whether I should replace the seal or not?

[Mike M.]

Re: 72 Pinion Seal replacement

since the corvette has attained the bowtie award, go ahead and replace the seal. mike mccagh

[Mark E.]

Re: 72 Pinion Seal replacement

It's curious that a consequence of Bowtie is to discourage maintaining the vehicle.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Pinion Seal replacement

It's curious that a consequence of Bowtie is to discourage maintaining the vehicle.

The NCRS Historic Preservation Awards (Bow Tie, Crossed Flags) should not discourage reasonable skilled maintenance. Part of preserving the car is to prevent deterioration. One cannot simply park a Corvette, or any other car, and expect it to survive storage and/or reasonable fair-weather driving.

Steven.
If your Corvette has already received Five-Star status replacing the pinion seal can be done with modest care so that the results are not very obvious. How to do that and other routine maintenance (Brake work, belt replacement , tire replacement, filter replacement, etc.) was the subject of a presentation Tom McGown and I gave at French Lick. I hope to repeat that at a coming Regional in 2024, but all the ducks are not yet in a row for that. If and when that comes together, I will post an announcement on this board. I am going to warm up for that Regional with a practice run at an Illinois Chapter event this Spring, but I don't have a date and location at hand. It is a subject that is both near to my heart and much needed as more Corvettes receive these Historic Preservation Awards.

I hope you and other people who have cars receiving the NCRS Historic Preservation Awards are changing oil, coolant and brake fluid on a routine time basis. Care of gasoline in a static vehicle is another issue. Those of us in custody of these kinds of Corvettes need to do this kind of maintenance in order to preserve these cars. Preserving these cars is a responsibility we have for future Corvette enthusiasts and none of us should ignore it, nor take it lightly.
I'll get off my soap box now.

[Mike M.]

Re: 72 Pinion Seal replacement

I genuinely enjoy reading posts you make from your soap boxes. happy new year buddy. mike

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Pinion Seal replacement

I genuinely enjoy reading posts you make from your soap boxes. happy new year buddy. mike

All the best this year to you and Lea and all the gang.

BTW: I saw the '57 aue box car this afternoon. They are keeping it clean & shiny for you.

[Chris H.]

Re: 72 Pinion Seal replacement

What Mike said….you’ve already got the Bowtie so it doesn’t matter anymore. I had the same problem on my ‘70 LS5 Bowtie car and that was before it was judged. I replaced the seal and it was as not that difficult as I recall. I did need an impact wrench for the pinion nut.

These cars need to be driven and maintained or they just atrophy and die….like people .