I have a 2002 S-10 4-door pick up 4X4. I have NEVER taken it off road, I don't own a boat so it has NEVER been backed down a ramp into the water. However, on two occasions the differential has been full of water. The first time, it was discovered when I took it in to the dealer to replace the leaking pinion seall. The dealer made me pay to have the diff drained, cleaned and refilled. About a month later, I took it back for a oil change and the diff was full of water again. I must say that during this time we were getting a LOT of rain. Anyway, the dealer relocated the diff vent hose, and there has been no indication of water in the diff since.
Now, 25,000 miles later ( the truck has 52,000 miles on it) the rear axle seals start leaking. I took it to the dealer expecting to pay to have the seals replaced. They found BOTH axles were grooved to the point that they needed to be replaced.
I've been in the automotive business for 40 years and I have NEVER seen axles worn out in 50,000 miles. Has anyone else experienced this with their S-10's? They charged me over $900.00 to replace them. I would have thought they would have a wear sleeve they could install on the axles, but they said no.