8 3/4 Axle questions

[AKcharger]

I should know these but I'm sure some of you guys are much smarter than I:

1) axle leak by brake drum - Is that white styrafoam seal the ONLY seal responsible for this leak?

2) In prep for drive too/from Carlisle this summer any suggested inspections or maintenance on bearings? I was just going to inspect and grease pack them as I would front wheels No noises or anything else suspicious...130K miles

Thanks!

[cdr]

There is an inner & outer seal, the bearings are packed with grease , when the inner goes bad it washes out the grease & leaks, also the vent could be plugged up

[AKcharger]

Ah! gotcha! yup, now I remember! OK well have to pull the axle anyway

Thanks!

[Nacho-RT74]

Replace the outer seal will require a new bearing set too beceause you can't ( or you shouldn't) reuse the bearings once removed from the axle.

You can begin replacing just the inner seal and reasembly to check if just making that will solve the problem.

[ACUDANUT]

The white Styrofoam seal is only for noise. It is not a seal.

[AKcharger]

Copy nacho
Rodger that acuda!

[Nacho-RT74]

Giving an expanded opinion.

The bearing and collar retainer are pressed up and tipically they need to be cut to service the axle with new bearings and of course the outer seal. I think there are bearing and collar extractors, but since the are already stretched to the axle size, and being these axles don't use C clips into the carriers to hold the axles, is really dangerous try to reuse them ( if really posible ). Axles are hold by the collar and bearing installed pressure.

Usually the outer seal don't need to hold lot of oil, because that's the purpouse of the inner seal. I'd say the outer seal is more to prevent from water and debris to the bearings coming from outside ( just like the front wheels spindle seals ). So if you have a noticeable oil leak, I'd think actually into the inner seal failure

[cdr]

Giving an expanded opinion.

The bearing and collar retainer are pressed up and tipically they need to be cut to service the axle with new bearings and of course the outer seal. I think there are bearing and collar extractors, but since the are already stretched to the axle size, and being these axles don't use C clips into the carriers to hold the axles, is really dangerous try to reuse them ( if really posible ). Axles are hold by the collar and bearing installed pressure.

Usually the outer seal don't need to hold lot of oil, because that's the purpouse of the inner seal. I'd say the outer seal is more to prevent from water and debris to the bearings ( just like the front wheels spindle seals ). So if you have a oil leak, I'd think actually into the inner seal failure

And if you just replace the inner seal be sure & re pack the bearings with grease

[AKcharger]

Grease pack, copy!