Just replaced rear wheel seals about 2-3000 miles ago, and discovered today that right rear is leaking. It was left rear that was leaking when I replaced them BOTH last month.

Vent is clear, and level was about 3/8" below plug. Whats up? I used national seal brand, everything was lubed up good prior to assembly.

Anybody have a "reliable" brand they can reccommend? What about the brakes? Can I clean them up with brake clean and re-use? Did not plan on doing this again so soon. Thanks, Kevin

(Edited by moderator)

 

Whats up kd460. Im sure after putting all of your time into the seals the last thing you wanted was to redo them so soon. Here are a few things to think about: first, axle tube bent/unlikely, second, pinched seal during install possible, third, spring on back side of seal popped off during install/very possible. Even the cheapest brand seal shouldnt have started to leak so soon. I have done many rebuilds on rear ends and have ran into all of these problems multiple times. As long as you use a non chlorinated brake cleaner you will not hurt any of the brake components. Good Luck! Sparky

 

Thanks Sparky, yes, made me real happy to discover the leak!<br>Right after I discovered the leaky seal, I posted here, and the moderator had to clean things up a little (sorry, won't happen again).<br><br>I did have to remove both hubs again after original install to fix/check a boo boo on my part (over torqued the nuts and drove about 5 miles-took apart and rechecked bearings then put back together with proper torque). The bearings looked fine and I wonder if I screwed something up putting it back together. <br><br>I pulled the fill plug and blew through the vent hose. That was clear. Crude but effective, and I like the taste of Mobil 1 . I'll take it apart sunday morning, of course truck is loaded for day trip today!<br><br>Glad to hear I can re-use the brake shoes. I plan on running them through the parts washer, then flooding them with brake cleaner. Fine sand paper as needed. Of course, all the other brake components will get a bath to. During last assembly, I coated the seals and seal surface with diff lube, Okiebroncorider (sp?), suggested I use grease on the seal and surfaces so I will try that next. Maybe a little emery cloth to clean up and polish the axle where the lip of the seal sits?<br><br>Sorry for all the questions, just don't want this to be a monthly habit. Thaks, Kevin

 

Be really careful when putting the axles back in that you do not let the weight of the assembly rest on the seal!

 

Make sure the seal is not running in a groove worn in by the old seal. You may be able to position the new seal a little further in or out as required to get a fresh running surface.

 

Thanks for the info, yes, there is a groove. I tried to make sure the new seal sat on &quot;fresh metal&quot;. I was really careful this time to avoid letting the weight of the hub rest on the seal. Even used a different brand seal.<br><br>So, only time and miles will tell. Did not notice anything funny with old seal. other than the rubber seemed stiffer than the new one. Thanks for the help. Kevin

 

dont just coat the seal with grease pack the back side of the seal with grease as well as coating the seal surface. that will help prevent the spring in the seal from popping out as well as preventing the seal from burning up from lack of lube also will prevent seal from tearing when you slide the axle in .

 

Good advice, I did coat the spindle and seal liberaly with grease, but I did not pack the inner lip of the seal. If I follow you correctly, then the packing needs to be done before seal is pressed into hub? I will try that next when and if this seal fails. Every 50,000 is cool, no problem, every 2000 miles? Bummer. To late to do it now, it's all together again.<br><br>BTW anybody try or know of those kits that put a thin liner or ring around the old seal surface on the hub and a special seal to give you a new surface for the seal to ride on? I think they are called &quot;a service seal&quot;? Just a thought. Kevin

 

there called a speedy sleeve . they do work but only a temp solution and can be difficult to install.

 

I've also heard of some guys jacking up each side to tilt the rear for 10 minutes after its back together to get lube to the seal.

 

Yes, I agree. Anything to get the lube to the bearings. That should be done in addition to lubing the bearings and seals during assembly. A cooked bearing is not fun. Thanks, Kevin

 

I have used engine assembly lube on the bearings and seal to lubricate them until the gear oil gets to them.<br>just my $.02<br>Rich