Rear Axle Seals Making a Big Issue

[Subzero]

On the truck I've been plagued by rear axle seal leakage. The Ford dealer replaced the drivers side about half a year ago as it was leaking. I then had to have the passenger side replaced last week. The dealer couldnt find the part so they used a seal from another vehicle but it hasn't had any issues. My neighbor (who's a mechanic and has his own shop) fixed the passenger side but couldn't get the part so he used form-a-gasket on it. I went out yesterday and noticed oil drips on the tire but I figured it might have been leftover from before. I moved the car a little to see if it might drip down again and sure enough it did. My questions is how can I tell if this is axle grease or something else? Does it have a oder?

[sargentrs]

Axle grease/gear oil has a distinct odor. Kind of a harsh, burnt smell. I had a hard time finding my axle seals too. None of the local parts stores carried them, not even in their catalogs. Finally took a wild guess and called Currie Enterprises. They repro 9" rear ends. No problem, stock item for them. I think I got these http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestor ... px?id=1453 but you should call and verify with your particular application. The seals a little ways up in the axle housing (on my 9" anyway) and a little bit of a a pain to get out. I borrowed a seal installation tool set from a parts store for installing the new seals.

[blumule]

the seals are a pretty common part. most auto parts stores should stock them. you have to pull axle then just smear a light coat silicone around the lip and tap into axle bore. a common problem with seal leakage is the vent tube gets clogged up and pressure builds in the housing which forces oil past the seal.

[HIO Silver]

Has anyone replaced one wheel bearing???

Seals/bearings that come in pairs (left/right) should always be replaced at the same time given that they are the same age and potentially have the same amount of wear.

Axle grease/gear oil has a high sulfur content due to their ability to resist molecular shear. That's what gives the mating surfaces "cushion". Gear oil smells like hard boiled egg yolks.

[Subzero]

It is gear oil. I found the vent tube and it does need to be cleaned up. The shoes on that side will need to be cleaned up.

[tbone6]

If you've got oil on the shoes, do yourself a favor and toss em and get new. You can't get the oil out after they get wet, you will just be asking for trouble...

[Subzero]

I just put new ones on the back a week ago after I thought I had fixed it. If these are not too bad they might be able to be saved. I understand your point though as I saw that the old oil covered ones from the last time before couldnt even make the tire stop spinning at idle speed when the back end was jacked up. I didnt replace a wheel bearing but one could have been replaced before I had the truck as the seals were leaking then. The past few years before I got the truck it looks to have been not taken care too good of so who knows what happened. Funny how just as you are about to need the truck it decides to have more issues

[1972hiboy]

you must be talking about the inner hub seal? If the spindle and hub assembly arent prepped very well when you go to slide the hub back on will grind dirt and debris intot he seal lip thus immediatley ripping the seal. also, if care is not taken to install the hub striaght damage can accur to the seal. needs to be clean clean clean, installed striaght with a lil lube in the seal lip and sealing surface. sometimes after many years of use the seal riding surface will wear a small groove and not seal well anymore. You can change where on the spindle the seal rides by setting the seals depth in the hub assembly to give it a new area to seal on.

[bluef250]

I have had good results using non chorinated brake cleaner to remove brake fluid from pads. No pulling or noise when reassembled. I learned that once contaminated brake pad needed to be replaced.