Axle Seals

[CGauthier]

Ok, I know I said I wouldn't have time to do them myself, but I REALLY don't want to let anybody work on the truck that I don't know, especially if I'm not there. Besides, I cant afford the Oooodlez of money the shop would want. You guys figgur 2 guys (me being one of them, so make that 1 1/2 guys lol) could do both axles in one day? I'd like to maybe squeeze it in on sunday if i could. Also, do you guys figgure I may have done some damage? I didn't really notice any kind of strange noise, except a bit of a vibration at high speed that I thought was just the tires, because when I push the clutch in and take it out of gear the noise doesn't change at all. I'm scared to find out how much oil is left inside the rear. Weird, why would both axles start leaking at the same time? I drove back at quite a bit of a higher speed and hit some bumps kinda hard,could that do it? Both axles are leaking on the same side strange as it seems. I'm kind of bummed out about this and would like to get it out of the way. Maybe do the axle bearings at the same time to make me feel better.



Btw Bill, don't say it



Carl G



Edit: The seals on the insides of the differentials are called axle seals too, aren't they? Those are the ones I'm talking about.

 

[McCRam]

As long as you don't have to do any axle setup, I don't think working on the axles is all that hard, as long as you have a good shop manual to tell you how its put together. If I had some help I know I could do it in a day. Its wierd that both started leaking at the same time. I doubt that hitting big bumps would have caused it, the bearings take all the load. Has it been driven in the mud or anything like that lately. I could be wrong on this but I dont think that the rear axle will have inner seals, just the ones on the hubs. I have never done the inner seals on the front axle, so I cant help you on that one.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Doing the seals.



You would not HAVE to do them both in a day. I have driven my truck several thousand miles after I knew there was a leak. I have had a leak occur when I was headed out and have two or three thousand miles before I get back home. If you keep the fluid level correct, there will not be a problem other than what you already have. If you are trying for a one day swapout on whatever the problem is, you had better have ALL the bearings and seals on hand before you tear everything down. I usually have some wait associated with getting parts.



Going as far as I do from home, I check the fluids more often than some I suppose and I carry a bottle of 85aw just in case. Once the leak happens, if the catch rings fails to do its job, the brake shoes are ruined anyway. If the catch ring does do its job, you won't hurt anything to drive a while more. You will have fluid on the inside of the tires and a stink from the leak to remind you every time you get out.



You are lucky to have a second set of hands with the seal job. Some of the parts are a bit heavy and most of all, when reassembling, you can damage a new seal if you are struggling with the weight. I have considered buying the new hubs and drums so that this job can be done with fewer assembled parts to handle. But that would be a bit more money than I want to spend.



I don't have any experience with the front axle. I have never owned a fwd truck. (That may change soon) I have seen some post on difficulty getting the fronts apart. Hope you have good success with the job. It may be hard but you will be glad you did it yourself. The piece of mind alone will outweigh any negative.



James

 

[JJump]

Doing the seals.



"Once the leak happens, if the catch rings fails to do its job, the brake shoes are ruined anyway. If the catch ring does do its job, you won't hurt anything to drive a while more. You will have fluid on the inside of the tires and a stink from the leak to remind you every time you get out. "





Can you explain how the catch rings port the fluid overboard without fouling the shoes? I just went through this drill (rear axle bearings/seals) and spent quite a lot of time cleaning up the insides of the wheels of the mess that was left behind from the previous leaky seal (installed backwards). I noticed last night the smell of gear oil when I walked past the rear axle after a drive. Checked the insides of the inboard wheels (DRW) and no sign of a leak, but I have the "dress-up" covers on the wheels/hubs - maybe the fluid hasn't migrated that far yet.



Your insite appreciated - Thanks!

 

[1stgen4evr]

catch rings

I think I can. The catch rings (may not be what the manufacturer calls them) are not seated against the hub in a fluid tight manner. There is accomodation for the leak to sling out and the path is to the area between the duals. If you recall from having the hubs off and where you could see, the catch rings are just slightly longer than the hub so any fluid that escapes the seals will drip or sling outward and simple as that, the fluid is kept from the brake shoes. Now, if you didn't clean under them, they may be clogged so that they don't vent/channel the fluid to the outside. In the long run, if they are clogged, the fluid will wind up on the brakes.



James

 

[JJump]

Thanks James,

Yes, I noticed the "slinger" rings as I was removing/replacing the seals. I also noticed a gap between the flat surface where the wheel seats on the drum and the drum itself where I believe the oil could have been ported to. Wish I would have given this area a bit more scrutiny while I was in there - lotta work removing those wheels!!! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a leak.



Interesting to note, the same style system was employed on pre-1970 BMW motorcycles as a centrifugal oil filter. Problem with them was when the slinger got packed up with crankshaft "mud", the 5-piece pressed together roller crank was starved for oil. Cubic dollars to rebuild these days!!!



Thanks for your time!

 

[dpuckett]

Carl,



AFter replacing the seals, check your vent tubes. Should be a hose (1/2"? or so) with a cap on the end to let pressure out from within, but keep mud, dust, etc, out from the inside. If these get plugged (BTDT) they can cause the seals to blow, and make the leak you speak of.



Daniel

 

[CGauthier]

I'm really sorry guys, but I wasted your time But, I am an EXTREMELY happy guy right now-When I crawled under there again, in a little less of a panic state of mind, i noticed it was wet everywhere underneath. I just checked my fluid levels now, and everything was alright, except the power steering fluid, which didn't even register on the dipstick. I drained the transmission too and that was good, except now I have to get the oil back in lol. It kinda looks like I may have lost a little oil from the front diff, but I'm not sure about that because I'm parked in a different spot ( a little more level, on the street) than when I filled it. I truly appreciate your guys' time to post and it isn't all for not, because sometime in the somewhat near future I plan to do the axle bearings. I'm not sure if that's something I'm qualified to do or not, but with you guys around what can't we do? Hehe

Again, I'm sorry. Can I make it up to with bacon and syrup and beer? Lol



Roger that on the vents Daniel



James-Next year we want YOU



Carl G