Axle oil seal, weeping

[Bluebird]

Right rear axle seal was weeping, I had replaced it 12-years ago. When I got to the hub nut, it didn't have a very high torque. I couldn't get the drum off, I tried to release the shoes, went the wrong way, then just barely got them free to rotate the drum. I torqued the bearing nut to 120 ft lbs, backed off 180 degrees. Drum cleaned up it has not leaked. What y'all think? I gotta take a 2-hour trip each way to San Diego this Saturday. Thanks for any and all insights!

Patrick 5

 

[DVolk]

Id check the diff if its full of oil and not leaking run it , , if you ever take them off , use a spedi sleave they add a tighter fit causeing less chance to leak

 

[HHhuntitall]

I think you should check the breather tube to make sure it's cleared, throw a bottle of oil in the truck, and go. If it starts leaking, add some. If not, it's good. Very possible the tube is stopped up and it builds pressure when it gets hot. Could be the bearings have worn in and allowed the hub enough slack to move to allow it to leak. Could be it's time for the seal to be replaced. I've driven many miles with a leaking hub in more than one truck, small and large. My '85 Peterbilt leaks when it's loaded heavy and gets hot. Just how it is for it, considering the axle housing have 3.5 million miles on them..... My '89 leaked for 6 months before I got time to pull it apart. I'd add oil once a week and keep trucking. I had to replace the pads, but it was the cost I had to pay for not making the time. My '97 leaked like that, I tightened the hub nut up, and it quit. Hasn't leaked in 200k+. The '96 I hammered on all the time repeatedly leaked, but I'm sure that was due to the twins and my driving habits.... it got a pinion seal and wheel seals every time I broke the yoke or twisted a shaft.

 

[ucidad06]

I have a W250 with Dana 70, when you have the drum off, repack the bearing with some greese, until the axel oil lubes it up, after removing the drum the gear iol leaks down some
my 90 Dodge still has facrory drums and bearings with 300,000
its drivable
make sure there is no iol on the drum or shoes, will cause that side to lock up when breaking hard