Help Dana 70 Leak!

[R.E. Miller]

Guys, I admit I am young, but this is weird and I don't understand what the he11 is going on here.

Scenerio:
Axle leak around drum area that leakes inbetween the studs and the drum. Yeah, how does that happen. Then leak sprays all over wheels and fender. But, the kicker, the inside of the drum is clean #ad
I just took this drum off two weeks ago to inspect the brakes, now this once tiny leak is like the valdez. I figure if it was the wheelbearing seal the inside of the drum would be greased, and I'd have no brakes. WTH... over? Thanks for the help.

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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually 3. 5" straight pipe(thanks jardine!)
W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5"BD exhaust, 16cm^2 housing, DI pyro&boost
Russell

 

[Shrimpy]

Sounds like the leak is on the axel stud bolts. This would leak axel oil on the outside not getting any inside the drum. These are the 8 (???) bolts that are under the hubcap. Thats the only way I can see for it to leak without it being an axel seal. That is of course unless the axel housing is cracked way out on the end somewhere... .....

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92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, PW injectors, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 230,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!

 

[R.E. Miller]

I don't know what the deal is with this so, after this blizzard goes through here at the beginning of next week it is going to the truck shop for a new set of wheel bearings, races and of course... . SEALS #ad
I started pulling of the other side then realized that it was starting the same type of leak so threw in towel.

 

[Paul Herioux]

Russell,
Sounds like your axle seals are leaking. The reason the brakes don't get contaminated is because of the tin cup over the hub and seal. It makes changing the seal harder but that is better than wasting a set of brake shoes like the 2nd genners do. When you have the seals changed make shure the seal journal on the axle housing gets checked for wear. Your signature doesn't state mileage, being a 92 I assume it has a lot, and these axle housing seem prone to wear on this journal at high mileage. If you can feel a groove in the journal with your fingernail it needs to be repaired. I've fixed a few of these at the shop with Speedi-Sleeves.
Hope this helps.

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89 w250, 47rh trans, cleaned up exhaust, Dynomax bullet muffer, 3" lift

 

[fastmark]

I have done many brake jobs on my 92. I always replace the inner seals and use the best seals I can buy. The factory ones are great but high$$$. National makes a good one, too. Those pep boys and Auto zone seals are worhtless at about $7. 00. Paul is right about the tin cup. That is what it is for

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

FWIW, I've had the drums off for brake check 3 times, and a once for a redo. In every case I had hypoid stains on the drum and fender following the change. I've been told that when they're taken off a fair amount of oil gets in between things and works its way out for a while afterward.
How long has this been going on?
Each time this happened to me i took the truck back and snarled at em since i had trouble the first time and warned each time after that. Then low and behold i read somewhere that unless the drums/parts are flushed thoroughly after service and prior to reinstall there will be oil staining. It does look like a major leak at first then seems to stop. I was patient the last time this happened and sure enough it quit looking wet after about 3 weeks. Lastly, as noted above, the design of the drum/backing plate really helps to prevent shoe contamination if there is a real leak.

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93. 5 D250 4X4,HD Spring Pkg, Rancho 7000's, Rear Swaybar,Dual Shock Front Stabilizer,BD Injectors,31/2" Mandrel bent exhaust,16cm 'Hot End',Modest Pump Tweaks/Timed,K&N Air,Isspro Pyro,Tach,transmission Temp,Auto Meter Oil Filled Boost Ga. , 3:54's, 4 Speed Auto, Clubcab, Aftermarket Reclining Buckets w/ctr Drop Down seat/console, Black over Silver, 21psi,285-65R-16's,American Racing Clear Coat Mags, Amsoil 15W-40HD Marine,12,000 lb. Warn Winch,KC Spots. 101,300 Kms (63,000 mi's).

 

[R.E. Miller]

Well guys thanks for the advice and explanation, it helps. Yes, the mileage is up there 153000, but it still seems weird that the oil looks to be seeping out between the drum and the hub; at any rate, spring is coming and I'll just stick it in the shop that does my truck service. Thanks again.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Just had the seals and bearings replaced today, no leaks... . yet #ad
I hope this works, that speedy sleeve stuff kind of scares me, ah well what can you do?