2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Axle Seal Questions

[CTD12V]

I am getting ready to do a bunch of front end work in a week or so, including changing the inner seals on my front axle. I am wondering about the seals I got from Napa -- Are the inner axle seals on a Dodge Dana 60 supposed to be different Left to Right? I asked the Napa counter man for front inner axle seals for my 1998 Ram 2500 4x4, and he gave me SKF seals P/N 16015 and P/N 13168. I think he said the 16015 was for the passenger side and the 13168 was for the driver's side.



Anyways, they look totally different, as you can see in the picture. 13168 is on the left and 16015 is on the right. The inner diameter isn't even the same, which is my main concern. Are the axle shafts different diameters?



Two other quick questions:



Since I have to remove the carrier and ring gear in my differential to access the seals, do I have to adjust the backlash when I put it back in, or will it be ok since the pinion gear won't be removed?



Also, does anybody have any thoughts about SKF seals--are they reliable, or is there something better? I wan't to switch to full synthetic gear lube and I DON'T want to have my seals leaking expensive oil a year or two after I put them in.



Thanks a bunch for any info.



CTD12V

 

[Batphreak]

Yup, the axles are different diameters on each side. The little plastic cups that pull the seals on with a rod through the axle tube (check out Home) make the seal installs WAY easier (I did it the hard way, no fun at all). No need to worry about backlash, just make sure you put the races back with the same bearing and put the caps back in the same side, mark 'em to keep from mixing them if you have to. Make sure to clean your axle tubes real good when you have everything out of there, too. Good luck, it isn't too bad a job.

 

[Pavemen]

yes they are different. drvie side is in the housing and you need to remove the carrier to get to it.

the passenger side is in the CAD housing and not in the diff housing like the driver side.

 

[AFoulk]

I wasn't so lucky with mine. Mine doesn't have the CAD system so it has both seals in the diff and both of mine were the same.

 

[CTD12V]

Thanks for clarifying that for me, guys. I do have the CAD, I just didn't realize that the axle shafts were different diameters.



Anybody know of any seals that are a step up from the SKF seals?

 

[Dave M]

I've been thinking about replacing the driver side seal (and might bas well do the pass side too) on my 97 dually since it started leaking after I replaced the front rotors a month ago. I've never done this so how difficult is it for an average do-it-your-selfer like me? Does the case have to be spread and if so I imagine it requires a case spreader? Why does the backlash not have to be done being that the ring and carrier gears are removed? What special tools are needed?



I can probably borrow some from our auto shop at work but kinda scarred to tackle a differential without knowing whats involved.



Thanks guys,

Dave

 

[Batphreak]

I didn't use a spreader, just a small pry bar and a buddy (one to pry one to keep hold of hold of the carrier). Backlash doesn't have to be set because it is set by shimming the pinion, you aren't messing with the pinion in this case you do need to make sure the outer races stay with its assigned bearing and that the bearing caps go on the smae way on the same side. As long as you are careful and keep track of those things you aren't messing with the setup at all. To put the carrier back in just had one person holding, and the other hit it with a plastic deadblow. It'd be a shade easier with a spreader, but not really worth it. No special tools at all, the bearing caps need to be torqued down, and like I said before the seal installers make that part MUCH easier.

 

[Dave M]

Thanks "Batphreak" for that info. I'll feel better about replacing that seal. I'll try the pry bar method you used. It sounds like the Quad4x4 seal installer with rod will make the pass. side seal easier to install. If my seal keeps leaking I'll tackle this job. I'm sure the NAPA seals will be fine for this job.



Dave

 

[AFoulk]

I think the SKF seals are actually made by CR. We use them at work on the rigs (besides stemco and outrunner seals) and so far I think they are the best. Seem to last a while, and havn't had any leak yet after installing them. I used SKF seals when I did my transmission and t-case output seals and they havn't leaked so far.

 

[CTD12V]

That's good to know. Thanks for the info, everyone.