Rear Axel Seals Leaking ... Advice

[Bernie]

Truck has 180k miles, and I plan on driving it to 350k miles. Diff oil has been changed with synthetic every 50k miles.



I had smoke coming out of my passenger rear wheel. I thought I had a caliper that was hanging up, so I got a new caliper, pads, and a rotor and sat down to do the work.



When I took the rotor off, I found moisture (smelled like gear oil) inside the rotor hat (parking brake area). I must have a bad outer seal.



Because of pulling out / pressing in new bearings I think I am going to have a local axle shop do the work. Here is what I plan on asking them to do:

-Replace inner and outer seals right and left

-Replace axle bearings

-Change diff oil

-Check diff for wear

-Turn rotors

-New pads

-New parking brake shoes



In the past 50k miles, the front hubs, front outer u joints, front drive shaft, and rear drive shaft have all been replaced or rebuilt with new parts.



I can't think of anything else to do while the axle is being worked on. Given my plan to drive this truck another four years, is there anything else I should be doing to increase durability / reliability while the truck is being worked on?



Thanks,

Bernie

 

[steved]

I would simply have them replace the seal... rear bearings are pretty durable as they ride in gear oil.

 

[rscurtis]

While you're under there, make sure the vent isn't clogged.

 

[NavyDood]

I would simply have them replace the seal... rear bearings are pretty durable as they ride in gear oil.

Then why are the bearings packed in grease and why is there a grease seal for the bearings?

 

[steved]

Then why are the bearings packed in grease and why is there a grease seal for the bearings?

To give the gear oil time to get to the bearings... if your logic held true, why do they leak gear oil when they fail? When was the last one you took apart that had ANY grease in it after any amount of miles??



I fell off the turnip truck last week...

 

[NavyDood]

To give the gear oil time to get to the bearings... if your logic held true, why do they leak gear oil when they fail? When was the last one you took apart that had ANY grease in it after any amount of miles??

I fell off the turnip truck last week...

This is my first go around with a full floating design. Learn something new all the time. My last rear end tear down was on a 85 4 Runner. It had sealed bearings with a seal to keep the diff fluid in.

 

[SRadke]

They aren't packed, they run in the same oil as the diff. There is only one seal on each side and it's a two piece seal. The inside half is stationary and the outside half rotates with the hub. They're spendy seals and a little tricky to get back together right. Be sure you hold the hub straight/square when you slip it on.

I would inspect the bearings, they likely do not need replaced. Service the brakes as required and replace the seals.

-Scott

 

[steved]

They aren't packed, they run in the same oil as the diff.



-Scott

However, they are packed with grease for the installation, to lubricate until the gear oil can get into the hub. They are not put together dry.

 

[bigflatdaddy]

I repaved one last weekend. No biggie... . just be sure and have a 6 point hub nut socket. The seal will pry off with a screwdriver and your bearings are likely in very good shape. Be sure to use a little wheel bearing grease on reassembly, both in the bearings and a light film on the axle to keep u from messing up the new seal.