Archived dana 60 question

[jloper]

I am in the process of replacing axle seals on a '02 dana 60. When I pulled the carrier I found what I would call RTV O-Rings. They sit on both sides of the bearing caps in what I thought was an oil return grooves. When removing the left seal the O-Ring fell out. I have owned the truck since new so I know the carrier has never been removed and these have been in place since new.

The question is; do I just leave them there. Do I remove them? What purpose do they serve. If I just put it back is there a chance that it will move and start to fall apart? The axle has a QAD so what is the purpose of the right side O-Ring? Let me state again these are RTV O-Rings, They are irregular in shape and just chalked in place.

I would like to get this back together today so any responce would be appreciated. In all the posts about replacing axle seals, no one has ever mentioned these things.

Thanks

 

[Speedo]

It sounds like you're talking about the bead of rtv that is placed at the joint between the center casting and the axle tube. Since the axle tube is a press fit in the casting with plug weldsto assist holding it in place it is possible that gear lube could migrate between the tube and the casting. It is unlikely for this to happen and the bead of rtv is just a little insurance that it won't. You could clean it up and put a fresh bead of rtv in there for self assurance.



Gus

 

[BRobertson]

Hi Gus!!

How are you guys doing??!!

Bob

 

[jloper]

Thanks, I'm sure at this point the electro-chemical welding (rust) has sealed any possible leak path

Jim