Leaking Axle Seal - Long Post

[95REDRAM]

I know this has been discussed before, probably many times, but I need to know if anyone has an answer to the root cause of the problem. I've just replaced my left side rear axle seal for the third time. I have a 95 2500 5-speed w/DANA 80 center section and DANA 70 axles. Original seal went south at about 30-35 K miles. Didn't realize that was the problem until the warranty was out. Otherwise I would still be after DC to fix the problem at no charge. I read somewhere, either TDR or this web sight, that the Mopar seal had been updated to fix this problem. I just bought a Mopar seal (PN 03496557) w/date code 07/00. Is this the latest seal? The seal is identical to an aftermarket seal I bought about two years ago for less money. It has the same (not Mopar) part # on it, CR 28746. I don't believe the seal is the root cause of the problem. If the seal is the problem, the right side should have been leaking long ago.

I look at it this way. Just how many years has DANA been manufacturing axles anyway? Axle seals aren't rocket science. I have 29 years experience working on cars and trucks and other things mechanical and I have seen this problem once before. In that case I know that the axle housing was damaged due to overloading way beyond a reasonable limit.

I think the root problem lies in the axle housing or the hub, not the seal. Any comments on a permanent fix will be greatly appreciated. For now I have decided to change the seal every 20K miles to avoid the problem of oiling down the rear brake and making it useless.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I don't think they have found cause.
I know the axle shaft tubes are fitted at a Dodge assembly plant in Michigan.

Talking to a guy that runs sod delivery business he suggested to replace bearing at same time as seal. He said that is what he does on his semi's.
The next time I have to replace my seal that is what I'm going to do.

 

[sam peterson]

95Redram--We have found that a lot of the time the seal is leaking at the outer edge where it presses into the hub. We use silicone sealer in the hub and on the outer edge of the seal before installation. The upgraded seal from D/C has a coating on the outer edge but most D/C parts guys don't know about it. If you remove one of the old seals from the hub you probably will find that the outer edge hasn't been making good contact with the hub. ---Sam

 

[Shrimpy]

Hey 95, I had this same problem with my 1st Gen. (92). I tried the sleeve repair kit and the hole nine yards but it still would start leaking about two weeks after replacement. A older fella who owns a parts place (NAPA)in a city next to mine told me to take a small file or emory cloth and to feel on the axel shafts for any grooves where the seal would normaly ride. Don't get real aggresive with the file or cloth but try to smooth out the surface if possible. He said that they usually groove more on the botton than top. He also said to make sure that the "step up" on the axel where the bearing rides has a noticable lip. It tends to get rounded (not sure why). I used the file very lightly all the way around to re-define the step up (I believe this step up is to provide a stop for the inner bearing). Also my manual for the 92 calls for torqueing the hub nut to 90 to 100 ftlbs, he said take it to 140-150 ftlbs. His reason was that the Dana 70 axel was in the 3/4 f@rds since 1973 and that was the torque spec on them. He sees far more problems with the Dodges that have the Dana 70 than f@rds.

I did this to mine in January and have had no problems since. Not sure if this will help yours but may be worth a try.

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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!!!!