Axle Seals

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Tue May 24, 2005 7:47 pm

Guys,

I rebuilt the front axle to my jeep last fall. 3-4 months ago I put 90 weight oil in and now a leak has sprung!

At the bottom King pin bearing cap, oil has begun to seep at the bolts that hold it in on both sides.

So, the gear oil has seeped past the new seals I put in during the rebuild. The seals were new with thin metal and rubber. My mechanic friend and I had a hard time getting these easily warped seals into place and ended up putting in several before we felt that we had a properly set seal.

Now, I have been told that synthetic oil is not as bad about separating into a lighter oil base like regular 90 weight.

Should I:

A: drain oil and replace it with synthetic

B: Drain oil, tear down the axle and find NOS seals with the leather seal to replace the other seals.

I know B is probably the right answer, but I am really not looking forward to tearing the axle down.

One step forward ... such is life during a restoration. You just can't put a dollar figure on that when you sell a vehicle.

Jeeps4Brains · Post by **Jeeps4Brains** » Wed May 25, 2005 11:45 am

I just worked on this axle seal. I too bought the cheaper seal that must be made in the far east. I seated them and they were very crooked. Went to NAPA and worked with the guy there until we found a seal that would fit my model 25 front end. We came up with Chicago Rawhide 11771.

I seated those in there and they fit great. They did not distort at all. I haven't completed the rebuild yet so can't say for sure but when I test fit the axle it is nice and snug.

What kind of lube did you put in with your knuckles. Could it be that lube that is leaking out?

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Wed May 25, 2005 6:22 pm

I put in heavy valvoline axle grease with no oil added to the mix.

I have heard about guys adding oil to the grease to make a mixture.

The grease was red, the gear lube a straw/yellow collor.

The fluid leaking at the axle knuckles is straw/yellow color.

Looks like I am going to replace the seals.

Any thoughts on synthetic vs. regular 90wt gear oil?

Cacti_Ken · Post by **Cacti_Ken** » Wed May 25, 2005 8:16 pm

Ryan, I packed a grease made by Exxon for bearings (dark gray in color) can't recall the exact name of it unless I go out into the the shop and look. into my knuckle joints and bearings. After placing the seals, (the one with the split rubber and felt dust seal and thin metal plate), the axle with the wheels attached just sat for a couple months stationary in one place.

I too had notice some oil had seeped past the king pin cap bolts. after awhile just sitting there. I guess oil in the grease had separated. Maybe synthetic grease won't do that. Or lubriplate either.

I took the bolts out and put some liquid sealer on them. It was made for sealing bolt threads. I put it on the top bolts also to keep water from seeping in through them.

I haven't seen any more oil leaking out since. Also I replaced the big seal with the cast aluminum one with the rubber seal and flat spring. It's not exactly flat but is shaped to put pressure on the seal. That is all I have done with that component. I cannot tell you how the seals are going to perform. I am still the restoration stage.
But I think I cured the bolts from leaking at least.
Ken