88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 7, 2009 19:29:52 GMT -5
So after cleaning up the Jeep after yesterdays run, I found gear oil sitting on the outside of the passenger side front axle tube. I've never had to do axle seals before, on a scale of 1 to 10, how involved are they to do? Is there anything else that would cause these to leak? Its a stock Dana 30.
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Sept 7, 2009 21:11:48 GMT -5
It's mud inside the tube that causes the seal to leak! It's not hard just takes time because the seal is inside the housing! I had the same thing and pulled the cover and axles and cleaned it out good with break clean put it back together hasn't leaked since. Get axle tube seals while you have it apart! I took a piece of all tread and a fender washer to scrap out the mud in the tube! Thinking about it on a disconnect rear I think the seal is in the disconnect not the housing. Here's a article on seal replacement www.stu-offroad.com/axle/d30seals/seal-1.htm
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Post by waterman on Sept 8, 2009 13:43:50 GMT -5
It's a few hr. job,, If no one has ever been in the axle befour it wont be real had,,,,the passanger side is the hardest side to do the seal is in the disconnect there's not much room to work,,,I made a tool out of all thread and some big washers that where the same size as the seal so i could pull the seal in place,,the driver side is in the diff. houseing so its not to hard,,,i made a press out of all thread anda socket that fit the seal. Let me know when your planning on doing this i may be able to give you a hand!
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88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 8, 2009 15:31:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses, I would like to get it fixed as soon as I can get the parts. I can swing by NAPA on the way home from work tomorrow. Anything else parts wise I should do while I'm at it? The article says you dont need to take the big hub nut off. I didnt realize the carrier had to come out. It would be awesome to have some help with this, as i have never had to take an axle apart. I could come to you, or I have a garage to work in with a decent amount of tools, as well as an air tool set. I'd be more than willing to compensate you for your time! Let me know!
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Sept 8, 2009 15:46:44 GMT -5
You have the old style rear with the disconnect correct? I would definitely get the tube seals! These guy's are a sponsor make sure tell them your a member store.cseoffroad.com/11102.html that's $30 less than quadratec and 4wheel supply
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88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 8, 2009 16:11:07 GMT -5
The part you linked states that they wont fit an axle with the o.e disconnect. Do they make these seals for a stock axle? If so, they seem like a worthy investment!
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Sept 8, 2009 16:14:24 GMT -5
I would call them and find out why! I don't understand that.
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Post by waterman on Sept 8, 2009 16:26:44 GMT -5
They wont work with the stock axles!! It's the way there welded and the have a wide taper at the end,,the only way the'll work is if you do the TJ axle swap and im not sure if you can with the 88 dana 30. pulling the dif. is not all that hard as long as all the shims are stock and behind the bearings. And no you dont have to take the axle nut off,it can be a big pain in the butt. you can just pul the axle with it all attached its a little bit of a pain in the butt,,but it can be done.
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88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 8, 2009 17:43:20 GMT -5
So, is there any other way to keep mud out of the axle tubes, or is it just something that happens? Is there a chance that the seals dont need to be replaced? And are they something that NAPA or a parts store should have on the shelf?
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88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 8, 2009 17:59:05 GMT -5
Quadratec lists two different part number for the outer seals with a .17" difference in the diameter.
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Sept 8, 2009 18:00:32 GMT -5
Mine stopped leaking after I cleaned out the tubes and seals! Could just be some crap stuck up in there keeping the seal from sealing correctly.
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Post by waterman on Sept 8, 2009 18:02:52 GMT -5
I wish i could tell ya it wasent the seals but if its leaking gear lube they are shot. I wash the tubes out after each run,,,just try to get the hose end as close as you can and wash the mud/sand out of the axle tubes,,,,The only true cure is to swap in TJ axles and install the outer tube seals,and there not even a cure all,,the pine sand finds its way everywhere!!
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88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 8, 2009 20:00:38 GMT -5
So, it sounds like cleaning them involves taking everything apart? I didnt think you could clean out the tubes without pulling out the axles. Is this a jeep specific problem? I had a 77 dodge with a dana 44 front axle that i wheeled the hell out of, and never had a problem with water and mud getting into the axle. Im thinkin if it has to come apart anyway, then I should just replace the seals.... Bear with me here, this is my first jeep! Certainly not the last!
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Sept 8, 2009 21:20:42 GMT -5
Anything to help one of the family!
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88yj
Mud Slinger
Posts: 127
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Post by 88yj on Sept 9, 2009 19:31:35 GMT -5
Just ordered the seal and a few other things for the jeep. The guy from Quadratec that took the order was wheelin in the pines on sunday, small world! Told him to check out the site! He suggested axle tube seals made by Superior, but they looked exactly the same as the ones that CSE sells, im hesitant to buy them, since they probably wont work with stock axles. If I dont get to the seals this weekend, im going to give them a call and do some more research.
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