2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear axle leak

[Kalaehina]

Guys, I just noticed a wet ring around my rear axle where the drive shaft connects to the front of the rear axle, not enough to puddle, not all the way to the rear of the axle, it is gear iol. Is there a seal on the axle that can be easily replaced? Is this a "down the truck now!" problem or is it one of those I" I can live with it and I got some extra gear oil in the truck" problem? Anyone replace the seal (if that's what it is)? Thanks

 

[Andy Morrison]

Sounds like the pinion seal is leaking. Usually won't leak unless the truck is moving and all that oil is flinging around inside the housing. Yours doesn't sound to bad yet ,but you should have it replaced. Unless you have worked on rearends before you should have someone do it for you IMHO.





Andy

 

[ata]

Check your breather tube on the top left side of your left axle tube to make sure it`s clear first. Just take it down from the frame rail and blow in it. If you can`t blow air through it, it`s plugged. As for the pinion seal it`s easy to change if you can press 450 pounds thats what the troque is on the pinion nut.

 

[DSiemens]

The pinion seal is not too bad to change. I done a few of them and made some tools to make the job easier. Busting the pinion nut is easy if you have a good impact wrench or 3/4 drive tools. Do you have a repair manual?

 

[Kalaehina]

Negative, should have gotten one already. Maybe this will get me a moving, now that I really may need one.

 

[DSiemens]

Between the repair manual and this awesome site, all is possible.

 

[kentdiesel]

Kalaehina,

I ran mine with it seeping for about 10 months. You will need a good impact wrench to remove and tighten the nut. I used a 3/4" drive impact wrench because I didn't have a socket big enough in 1/2" drive. A 1/2"impact wrench may remove it, I don't know.



The pinion yoke can be extremely hard to pull off. The Manual shows a plate style puller which would be easy to make. I used a huge 2 jaw puller and I had to tighten it far beyond what thought it would take to remove the yoke. It would be good if you had a Seal Driver large enough to cover the entire seal so you could drive it in straight and not peck round and round with a hammer.

I made a combo Seal Driver in the Lathe that works for the axle seals and the pinion seal. If you want a drawing of it let me know.

The pinion seal I bought was about $12. 00 cheaper at NAPA than the local Dodge dealer who didn't have it in stock.

Kent

 

[Kalaehina]

Hey thanks a million guys for all the info and advice, I am eagerly learning and anticipating the day I have to do this. Confidence level is not at 100 % yet so I am unclear if I personally will do it yet. If I am able to get all the tools and materials necesary then I will for sure try to do it myself. Thanks again!

 

[bmoeller]

If you still need a manual, I got Mine from www.techauthority.com It's the Factory manual.

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks bmoeller, will deffinately get one.