Front drive shaft seal

[rhino_50]

Hey Guys , The seal in my front drive shaft is leaking. Is there a crush sleeve in there. Any tips on how to replace would be great. Thanks Rhino50

 

[JFought]

Where at?

Drive shaft to the axle (Front pinion seal)

or next to the tires. .



My 07 I have had tw bad front pinion seals

7K then 33K

Each after mild tree pulling, and muddy bar ditch w 4WD on...





I believe its a bad design. .

 

[NDanecker]

If its a pinion seal good luck trying to find one. I tried 3 different auto part stores and each said they have no listing for it - try the dealer.



There is a crush sleeve between the front and rear pinion bearing. When you take the pinion nut off you'll be able to slide the yoke off and replace the seal. What is the difficult part is how much to tighten the pinion nut without over tightening crushing the crush sleeve more thus applying too much bearing load.



What I'd do is remove the front tires, brake callipers and measure the torque required to spin the pinion, differential and shafts. This is what you'll want to tighten the pinion nut back to AFTER replacing the seal. That is assuming the torque you currently have is correct (from the factory???).



Normally you measure just the pinion and then the pinion and carrier. But this is without the half shafs installed. I think the number was around 45 in-lbs after you set the pinion nut and carrier bearing preload.



If you have a shop do the seal repair they'll probably just guess at it -- with an impart gun -- which is the quicker way but IMO not the correct way.



If you are leaking oil from the axle tubes then the carrier will need to get pulled apart. The seals are located INSIDE the axle and only accessible after removing the carrier. Its a big job.

 

[rhino_50]

It is the seal in the back of pumpkin where the drive shaft comes out. Thanks Rhino 50

 

[Cattletrkr]

Leave it alone. A lot of times the will leak for a while and then quit. When I had my ball joints and axle joints done last year, they replaced the seal too. Lasted about 6 months. I new it was a waste of money but thought what the heck. I've had rear seals start and stop so many times I don't pay attention to them anymore.

Unless you're still under warranty then go for it.

 

[SLWatson]

Same probalm here, just started happening the other day. O. K. so it sounds like a average shop is no better than my back yard! What about the dealership? I know it will be more costly but what is better in the long run? Where can I get a inch # Torque Wrench?



S3