Frt. Pinion Seal

[Jack in Alaska]

I have had to replace the front drive shaft pinion seal twice. The last time after being stuck in beach sand in Alaska and using the 4 Whl. drive a lot to get out. Front end jumping up/down while getting free.

Now in Arizona (135k miles) after a 5k trip and it is leaking again. Would a "speedy sleeve" and new seal be the way to go this time????

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

How worn is the companion flange seal surface? Can you set the new seal to a slightly different depth to hit an unworn place on the flange? Be sure you spread some of the lube (there usually is some inside the seal) onto the wear surfaces.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Joe,
Thanks for the reply. Is the fill level on the front diff. 3/4" below the plug??? I have synthetic in it and that always seems to leak easier than dino lube.
Jack

 

[S.Morris]

Also make sure the axle tube vent is not plugged up with crap.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I generally fill them to the botom of the plug hole. Synthetics leak easier because they need additives to soften and swell the seals vs. dino oils which have them naturally in the oils, I was told by an oil engineer.