2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear axle seal

[kenny61]

I've had problems with my drivers side seal since I bought it back in 96 they never last long. Last year or the year before when I changed it the axle surface was worn. I put a speedi sleeve on it and it started leaking within a year. I changed the seal again a few months ago and it looked like it was holding. Pulled the drum off to check a parking brake problem and I see it is leaking again. Anybody else have a persistant problem like this? I am considering do an axle switch to a newer unit with disc brakes but an ebay check showed nothing up for bid. Next chance I get I am gonna go over the hub and axle tube with a micrometer to check for out of round but for now I just can't see whats wrong

 

[SMorneau]

There is a Seal available that has double lip that I have used on my 96 manual transmission (same rear end as yours) it is National 9864S. It has worked well for me. Also, the 96 service manual has a bad procedure for adjusting the bearing preload. If you are following that your bearings are not preloaded enough and the seals will fail.

You can also get a cloth and some polish and polish up the surface that contacts the seal lip. If that surface is damaged use can get a ready-sleeve (sp?) to fix that.

I know there are those who will disagree with me but I don't think the drums are that bad. There is more than enough power to lock up the rear end and they work fine if they are properly maintained. The anti-lock technology used back than sucked and the compromises made in selecting the proportioning valve seem to be the problem along with lack of maintenance. Once I ran my truck with the camper on back and no proportioning valve (combination valve actually) or antilocks and it would stop really really well, most of the work apparently being done by the rear brakes. It was great but I put the combination valve back in to maintain the safety of the split system.

I would try and remedy the leak and swap the vacuum booster for a hydroboost setup if you want to improve the brakes.

Hope that helps.
Scott

 

[kenny61]

I would only switch to disk if I need to replace the rear end. I will try the double lip seal and maybe replace the speedi sleeve just to be sure. I think quad 4x4 has the double lip seal if so i will order it from them along with the new better nuts. What preload procedure do you use?

 

[Extreme1]

I think the Quad 4X4 kit has the instructions. I put a dial indicator on mine and set it to the tight end of the range given in the FSM. I don't recall what that is off hand though.

 

[Texis]

I have had no problems with my 97' (320K) But I feel your pain. I had the exact same scenerio with a GM 14 Bolt. I never did get that one ironed out. still leaking when i sold the truck.



If the double seals don't fix it... find another axle.

 

[95REDRAM]

Went through exactly the same thing as kenny61 on my 95. Posted here and someone suggested changing bearings and seals even though there was no indication that the bearings were bad. That's what I did and haven't had any problems for 150,000 miles.