2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front end job question...

[sonorakitch]

Hi All,



Well, fixed the death wobble with new tires (Michelin LTX. MS) followed up with both upper and lower ball joint replacements on the passenger and drivers side. The ball joint job was $600, including alignment. My problem: a few days later the front end started losing gear lube from both sides of the front axle. The drivers side has developed a pretty nasty leak, and the result being a pull to the left when braking. So, I intend to get this truck back to the front end shop. I assume they neglected to grease up the seals before re-installing them.



Can anyone give me any more ammunition to confront these guys? I will refuse to pay for any labor to fix this. In my opinion, if the seals were bad to start with they should have told me before putting the whole potato back together.



Thanks all in advance.



~Chris

 

[bighammer]

I hear ya, I was in the same boat.



What happened with mine was the oil got out of the differential and into the axle tube (left side)while it was all apart. After re-assembly, I had oil leaking for about a month. Not a lot, but enough to make a mess and worry me.



I took it appart again about a year later to replace u-joints(probably due to the car wash blast as I tried to rinse the oil & crap from the tubes OOPS not a good idea) I did one side at a time, jacking (and bracing w/ stands) way higher than needed. I also made a crude axle tube cleaner for the long left side. (a small vaccuum extension wand with a some weird cuts to mount awire brush mounted in it) Got it all cleaned out, NO DRIPS (original seals)



It doesn't take much to really look like a big problem. I would bring it to their attention, but they may ask you to wait.



Good luck with it

 

[Phil Stuart]

Axle seals

Sounds to me like they nicked or tore the inner axle shaft oil seals when the shop installed the axles. These are located next to the pumkin inside the axle tube and requires some care when reinstalling the axles so as not to gouge the seals. I'd have the re-do the job with new seals. My input.



Phil

 

[Oxjockey]

I agree with Phil, they most likely damaged the seals, or even knocked them loose. They may claim that they did their best not to, but the seals were old. there was grit in the tube, etc. It's not a clear cut liability on their part.



Bryan

 

[sonorakitch]

Hi all,



Thanks for the help. I brought the truck in yesterday and showed them the mess; they cleaned it up and also thought it was just overspill into the spline area. Well, not two hours later, a puddle on the driveway about 4" in diameter forced me to bring it back. We had a little argument, and the truck is now being fixed at a local shop (Brake Masters... jeez I'm scared!). Hopefully, things will be okay now.



Thanks for the input. Needless to say, after $600 the truck shouldn't have leaked this much.



~Chris

 

[bighammer]

When you said a few days later it started leaking, I was picturing a drop or 2 on the floor (not a puddle )

 

[FFutch]

Just got done....

... with installing ball joints on the right side. As I was pulling the hub with a puller I busted open the sealed hub unit $237. That's the way my luck goes though. I made sure I was real careful removing and installing the axle shaft after reading this post. I also cleaned out the tube,there was alot of S*@T in there. I also installed a "LUKES LINK"on the track bar. Steering feels like new . I got lifetime warranty on everything so next time parts are free,but not labor . The left side components felt good and tight so I didn't mess with them. Sure was glad to get my baby back after being without for 2 whole days ... Doug

 

[Extreme1]

I split the bearing apart on mine over 3 years ago. Replaced the rotor (the reason I had it apart), slapped some grease in the bearing and torqued it back together, still working.

 

[FFutch]

Thanks Extreme...

I was meaning to ask if anyone had any luck rebuilding the sealed units. I was thinking about installing a new seal and keeping it for a spare. Did you use regular wheel bearing grease?... Doug

 

[bighammer]

I split my bearing the first time I pulle dthe front end appart. I managed to clean it up, grease it, and press it back together. So far, so good. (call me cheap )

 

[Oxjockey]

Originally posted by bighammer

I split my bearing the first time I pulle dthe front end appart. I managed to clean it up, grease it, and press it back together. So far, so good. (call me cheap )

I did my front two like that because I didn't know better. Lasted quite awhile, but I eventually replaced both. Then sold the truck about a year later.



Bryan