Rear Axle Seal Problem!!!

[Fish On]

My truck is a '96 with 110,000 miles on it. I have tried the new updated seals for the rear axle and I have also put in a new hub. However the passenger side always leaks within 5000 miles of the repair. Has anyone else had this problem with this type of recuring frequency? If so please shed some light on the fix. Thanks!

 

[Extreme1]

Did you use sealer (silicone) around the OD of the seal when you installed it? Apparently the machining is coarse enough that the seal coating sometimes won't seal against the hub.



Hope this helps, I seal all my seal installs that way now, no problems.



The only other thing would be is if there is too much bearing play.

 

[illflem]

If a seal leaks for a long period dust and dirt clinging to the leaking oil makes a great grinding compound and can wear a groove in the shaft causing a new seal to fail rapidly. This is reason enough to take care of leaks ASAP. Feel that your shaft is smooth in the area the seal rides. With some shafts you can buy a sleeve to put over the damaged section then use an oversized seal. Don't think the axleshaft has this option but don't mark my words and check before replacing the axle.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Is there an easy way ...

to get a rear drum off, that has been on for 60,000 miles? I know about removing the retaining clips. I already did a goodley amount of hammering with a dead blow hammer.



I agree with the silicone usage and if illflem is correct about a groove in the sealing surface---a speedy sleeve might be in order.

 

[Andy Redmond]

You need the special socket to correctly torque the nut. Napa sell them (KD) for less than $30.



Torque the nut to 105 lb. ft then back it off 1/8 turn and reinstall a new seal clip.



As illflem suggested, look closely for any grooving where the seal lips touch, you may be ready for a ready sleeve to prevent the seal scoring.



Good luck.



Andy

 

[illflem]

Steve, the easy way to remove the drums is to block up both rears with the wheels off, start it and slam on the brakes in forward and reverse. Leave one lug nut on loosely or you might be chasing a drum down the street. If the drums have never been removed there may be a metal clip(s) on the studs holding the drum on, pull them off and toss them, they are only there for assembly and shipping. Works every time and sure beats beating on it. Make sure you're not in 4wd!

 

[Steve Campbell]

Thank you ilflem!!!

Count on you to always have a common sense solution to most problems.

 

[SMorneau]

I thought I would have to go to a speedy sleeve to solve my leaky axle seals, mainly the passenger side, but Federal Mogul seal #9864S and a little polishing with some simichrom polish and a rag solved the problem. Although in abput 70k miles I did lose another seal that was promptly replaced. I keep a couple of the seals in my parts inventory and inspect for leakage about every 15K.

 

[Reddog1]

seal fix

In many applications, you can set the seal in a different location. This allows the lip of the seal to wear on a different place on the shaft.



Do a little measuring; 1/32 of an inch is plenty. Don’t know if it will work in this application.





Wayne

 

[KYOUNG]

rear seals

i had seal problems too until i installed NAPA seals. they have been not leaking eversince over 130k miles. i think certain brands of seals have the sealing lip in a different location on axle shaft.