Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) rear axle seals

[WBerry]

left rear axle seal is leaking,lve had it replaced twice in the last 100,000 miles. this will be the third time. anyone else had this problem?any ideas why this keeps leaking and is there a cure for it or do i just live it replace it every 50,000 miles? thanks, Bill

 

[Berrigan]

I assume its a full floating axle. If the sealing surface on the spindle is good then you should be ok. Are you using mopar seals? Some after market seals arnt as good in my opinion. A friend of mine with a chevy was changing his every couple months. then he bought a GM seal and never changed them again. Bill

 

[DBentley]

I did mine a few times then the last time I rtv sealed the metal to metal surface before driving in the seal and its been a year or so with no leaks.

 

[The patriot]

I did one of mine on my 98 about 65K miles ago. No problems since.

It's a Dana 80, I have the 5 speed.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hey WBerry - create your sig so we know what we are giving advice on.



For my 96 I had a similar problem - Mopar's rear axle seals are designed differently than most aftermarket (national, CR, autocraps, etc).



When I put in the mopar one - no problem after that.



Dan

 

[cojhl2]

I dont know how the post 1990 Pickups are,, but for a 90 there are many combinations of seals and drums. They musta just picked what was next in the stack while asssembling them.



Anyway you must make sure you have the proper seal. I think they all appear to fit but out of the three I tried to install 2 yrs ago only one was correct. One was too big for the axle and the other was too tight.



The seal should fit over the wipe area snug but not too tight.



Once you get the right one wite it down!!! Thats what ive done.



Drums and Rotors the same prob!!



Oh, and also Brake shoes Ive ahd the prob. .



Another edit:: Brake pads also. .

 

[CumminsPower98]

My left seal leaked and I replaced it with a National as I have always had good luck with them. This one is doing fine still. Next I replaced the right side twice in a short time using RTV between seal and hub both times and still it would leak. The seal surface was perfect, the vent open and the oil level correct. Next I installed a CR brand seal for something different since nothing else worked and so far so good. I have never had seal trouble like this before on axles or anything else using National brand and I have installed a LOT of seals so this is a mystery to me.

 

[DProehl]

I replaced mine with Dana/Spicer seals from six states, there top notch seals also I got rid of those lousy nylock spindle nuts and went back with the two nut style system, you can adjust the wheel bearings more precisely with these. I believe alot of leaking seals are due to the hubs running a bit to loose and oil levels being over full. keep oil about 1/2 down from the fill hole. Good luck

 

[HLEschenko]

This is obvious and you may have done it:

Check the axle vent tube for a restriction, nicks on the axle sealing surface and verify the level of gear oil on a flat surface for over filling. I keep my oil level to the very bottom of the plug hole, no more.

 

[WBerry]

ive tried to get signature to show,no go. ive got a 96 4x4,178,000on it. last seal was a mopar seal. if the axle nut wasnt tight enough would this cause to leak after 65,000 miles? thanks, bill

 

[HLEschenko]

I tighten the adjustment nut slowly while rotating the the wheel to 130 foot pounds of torque. Then back of the nut 1/8 of a turn. That should give around . 001 to . 010 inches of play. I then check with a dial indicator. Then lock it down. I use the service manual for a reference.



I used an National seal 417158 and haven't had a problem in 100K miles.



The best to you.

 

[Woodenhead]

Get the seals from Quad 4x4

Check out the seal kit Quad4x4 has. You can either get regular National seals or a fancy double lip seal. They also have the double nut setup. I'm not associated with Quad, just a very happy customer.



Here's a link to their page with the seals. Quad4x4