Better front axle seal... who makes one??

[GMC Truck]

I'm getting tired of replacing the inner front axle seal in my 83 truck. It seems like i'm replacing these seals every couple of years. I have been using National seals and coating the outside with sealer before installing them. Does someone make a better seal for these front axles?? It is a real pain pulling the center section out to drive these in. The axles are newer and don't have rust damage chewing up the seals and i'm not in four wheel drive alot, what gives!

 

[imiceman44]

I'm getting tired of replacing the inner front axle seal in my 83 truck. It seems like i'm replacing these seals every couple of years. I have been using National seals and coating the outside with sealer before installing them. Does someone make a better seal for these front axles?? It is a real pain pulling the center section out to drive these in. The axles are newer and don't have rust damage chewing up the seals and i'm not in four wheel drive alot, what gives!

So I don't get the picture here, you are talking abou tthe seals between the pumpkin and the tubes, how do you realize the seal is leaking?
I never had any problem like that and I always run old junkyard axles, never had to replace these seals.

 

[blazinzuk]

So I don't get the picture here, you are talking abou tthe seals between the pumpkin and the tubes, how do you realize the seal is leaking?
I never had any problem like that and I always run old junkyard axles, never had to replace these seals.

Gear oil leaks out the tube thats how you know they are bad.

I have a customers Jeep that seems to take out those dang seals about every 20k. Axle isn't bent or anything and it only happens on the passenger side. Tried a different brand this time, we will see how it goes.

Every couple of years indicate that the seal is actually wearing out not an installation error. So I say switching up the brand might help.

Is it both sides?

Sandy mud can take those out pretty quick. Actually if you are stuck deep in sand or fine dirt that can take em out too.

 

[imiceman44]

Well that has never happened to me
But trying to analize this, if the axle is not centered properly it could quickly ruin a seal, might be something you want to look into, just like a slip yoke seal going out quick when the bushing next to the seal goes bad.
Or low oil level, not enough lubrication on the seal.
Or the last one here, maybe the seal is put on backwards and is not oiling properly.

Gear oil leaks out the tube thats how you know they are bad.

I have a customers Jeep that seems to take out those dang seals about every 20k. Axle isn't bent or anything and it only happens on the passenger side. Tried a different brand this time, we will see how it goes.

Every couple of years indicate that the seal is actually wearing out not an installation error. So I say switching up the brand might help.

Is it both sides?

Sandy mud can take those out pretty quick. Actually if you are stuck deep in sand or fine dirt that can take em out too.

 

[GMC Truck]

It is the pass side which is the short axle you can't get the seals in bacwards cause they have an axle guide built in so that prevents wrong install. I don't do a lot of offroading and even less in the muck and sand. The seals only last about 1 1/2 to 2 years and then there is a puddle under the ball joints. The last time I replaced them I even barrowed a buddy's tools to drive them in thinking I was getting them crooked, he had some long driver rods made that reach from the axle ends to drive them in. Did'nt help thought! Who's seals are you using???

 

[onetonbb74]

I heard the f350 (ford d60) seals are beefier, have more seal surface then the dodge/chevy ones...

 

[sweetk30]

I heard the f350 (ford d60) seals are beefier, have more seal surface then the dodge/chevy ones...

yep and its a seal in a seal design .

much harder to install but guys say best time and money spent. but only work on the 60 .

 

[GMC Truck]

yep and its a seal in a seal design .

much harder to install but guys say best time and money spent. but only work on the 60 .

Don't help me much then does it! Wait... I need a dana 60 for it!

 

[SUPER'BURB]

then there is a puddle under the ball joints.

Wait....... So an INNER axle seal leak manifests itself through a puddle under the ball joint? Does it run down the inside of the axle tube and out the end?

Would that be what gives me those drip lines on the inside of my drivers side tire too?

Sorry I'm no help at all just trying to fix my junk too.

 

[KirsL]

I put these in my axle.
http://mad4wd.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=162

They're nice because it keeps the dirt/mud, anything from getting into the tube in the first place. Which in turn helps the inner seal last longer. Now the down side is if your inner seal goes bad you'll never know till it leaks past the outer.

 

[GMC Truck]

Wait....... So an INNER axle seal leak manifests itself through a puddle under the ball joint? Does it run down the inside of the axle tube and out the end?

Would that be what gives me those drip lines on the inside of my drivers side tire too?

Sorry I'm no help at all just trying to fix my junk too.

YES! I'm starting to think everything made today is junk! I bought this truck with over 100k miles on it and it came from Carson city NV. The axles DID NOT leak but me not knowing any history on this truck decided to reseal and gasket everything and now I can't stop the front from leaking.A GM tech told me to just run the oil level 1 inch below the plug and it won't leak or cause any problems so long as i have lockouts. Makes since, because nothing is turning so it don't need lube and when it is turning everthing inside gets splashed in oil... true??

 

[imiceman44]

YES! I'm starting to think everything made today is junk! I bought this truck with over 100k miles on it and it came from Carson city NV. The axles DID NOT leak but me not knowing any history on this truck decided to reseal and gasket everything and now I can't stop the front from leaking.A GM tech told me to just run the oil level 1 inch below the plug and it won't leak or cause any problems so long as i have lockouts. Makes since, because nothing is turning so it don't need lube and when it is turning everthing inside gets splashed in oil... true??

Well once you start going off camber the oil will reach that point and it will leak.

 

[liftedman]

Check to make sure vent line isn't plugged.

 

[fabjunkie]

I heard the f350 (ford d60) seals are beefier, have more seal surface then the dodge/chevy ones...

yep and its a seal in a seal design .

much harder to install but guys say best time and money spent. but only work on the 60 .

Doesn't help the OP but I used these when I did my 60. PIA to install. I ruined one the first time around and had to order another, but it's a MUCH better design.