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Advice on leaky rear axle oil seal?

Mastiff

Mastiff

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I have a 12 bolt c-clip rear axle on my K5. The seal on one side leaked on me about a year ago and I just took it to the shop for repair. I think the situation was that the axle shaft was worn and they cobbled around this somehow. Do they have tighter seals? Maybe they used a speedi-sleeve...

Well, now it's leaking again and I could use some advice. How hard a job is the seal replacement? If I do tackle it, does it make sense to get a new axle shaft at this point?
 
It's easy, remove the drums, remove the diff cover, remove the bolt that holds the cross pin in, then push each axle shaft in and remove whichever c-clip you need to. Then that axleshaft will slide out and you can inspect the seal and sealing surface on the shaft.

At that point the seal just pops off if you need to replace it.

If the shaft is pitted where the seal rides then that is probably the issue. You can find a used shaft that's in good condition, put a speedi-sleeve on that one or buy a new one.
 
I have the shop manual instructions for the 10-bolt, I assume it's just about exactly the same? I'll probably tackle the job, but a few questions:

- Will having the auburn LSD in there change or complicate anything?

- Is an axleshaft an easy parts store item, or will I have to wait on mail order?

- Are all 12-bolt truck axles the same? I know an 81 K10 had one. I'm trying to figure out what to tell the counter guy to get my parts. Most of those guys seem to freeze up if you can't tell them what vehicle stuff is for.

Thanks for the help.
 
probably not a bad idea to have a axle bearing on hand as well in case the bearing area on the shaft is screwed up and causing too much shaft movement up and down, and allowing oil to pass by the seal. It will require a axle bearing "puller"
But its also cheap insurance, and not terribly expensive.
 
You won't be able to get an axleshaft from a parts store. IF NOS 12 bolt shafts exist you'll have to find a good drivetrain store. Other than that there are lots of used ones floating around for next to nothing and there are aftermarket shafts that aren't too expensive.
 
I called up 4Wheel Parts Wholesalers here in Tucson looking for the axle shafts. It blew me away that the guy could not find them based on "Chevy 12-bolt rear axle". He had to know what year, make, model, etc etc. Of all places I thought a 4x4 shop could deal with an axle type. Kind of sad. Must mean they just spend all their time bolting stuff to Jeeps fresh off the dealer lot, not dealing with real 4x4 people. :doah:

I think Dorman 630105 should be right for me, can anyone tell for sure? I'm not sure if there is variation or if all 12-bolt truck axles are the same. 30 splines, etc...
 
That Dorman part is not obtainable locally even though they list it. Well, they had a ship date of June 25. I ordered a set of Yukon axles/seals/bearings from Randy's Ring and Pinion.

Just remembered I forgot wheel studs... hopefully I can get those locally. Maybe I can beat the old ones out without ruining them.
 
38377k5 said:
BTW 4 wheel parts is bad, bad, bad. Anything is better than dealing with them, tons and tons of people have bad things to say about them (myself included).
Click to expand...

I have had good luck with them. As long as they are just your part store and you can tell them EXACTLY what you want then they aren't bad. My
experience is you have to do that just about anywhere you go anyway. If you expect any kind of service bend over open your wallet and expect to get raped. People want $40/hr to add 2+2 these days :( Seems most people have forgotten what value add means.

You can go on 4 wheel parts website and find every axle they sell for a 12 bolt. No need to go into the store except to pick up the parts you order online.
 
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