Western Members - Where is this leak coming from?

Well I'm not sure what this thing is called, but there is a leak at my rear passenger axle from what looks like to be a rubber gasket or something where the e-brake line goes in. Should I put some rtv around there or do I need to replace anything?

Here are some pics:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0712.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0713.jpg

pop out ur axle and shove a new axle seal in :cheers:

Axle seal.

looks like an axle seal to me

Thanks guys, is there a how to on this? I've never taken an axle out of anything

Thanks guys, is there a how to on this? I've never taken an axle out of anything

Off the top of my head:
Remove the diff cover, unbolt and pull out the paddle. That will allow you to push the axle inward, exposing the c-clip. Pull the c-clip and then slide the axle out (after removing the brakes and whatnot). Pry out the old seal and press in a new one. Reverse of removal.

Off the top of my head:
Remove the diff cover, unbolt and pull out the paddle. That will allow you to push the axle inward, exposing the c-clip. Pull the c-clip and then slide the axle out (after removing the brakes and whatnot). Pry out the old seal and press in a new one. Reverse of removal.

Thanks Jason. Any idea where I can get a seal? I can't even find a part number for it.

you can get em from any parts store. might want to check the bearing while u have it out too. common for them to fail on the passenger side but from the pics looks like ur leak is on the drivers side. also of course u gotta take off the brack caliper brackets. and make sure to take off the abs sensor to allow the axle to move inward, thats all i remember from the top of my head.

Is this is? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?displayName=Wheel+Seal+-+Rear&currentPage=1&categoryDisplayName=Drivetrain&vehicleNValue=2568702&navValue=11200255&itemId=255-0&parentId=12-0

also called a wheel seal?

And the picture is the passenger side axle, I'll post up when I get to the bearing and see what you guys think

haha damned i forgot how that ebrake bracket went. ya its referred to as a wheel seal. normally the wheel bearing freezes up and wears a deep grove into the axle so take a look at that and post up if you want. if this is the case all parts stores carry whats know as a axle saver bearing that moves the bearing inward saving you from having to buy a new axle.

Sweet, thanks for the help fellas, I'll post up when I get to the bearing and see what you guys recommend :)

Don't put the saver bearing on, it's nothing but junk. I put them on mine and the next day I had puddles of gear oil under each tire. To top it off to get the axle back out we had to cut the lock off because the saver sticks out of the tube and doesn't let it go in far enough to get the clip off.

Don't put the saver bearing on, it's nothing but junk. I put them on mine and the next day I had puddles of gear oil under each tire. To top it off to get the axle back out we had to cut the lock off because the saver sticks out of the tube and doesn't let it go in far enough to get the clip off.

i noticed that on one rear end i did, it was on a astro but ya it stuck out, took it back to napa, got another and it went right in, didnt check at the time to see if it was shorter but ya, it has to sit flush if i remember correctly, other than that never had problems with em leaking.

I ran into my first problem, My hanes says to remove the locking bolt, but there is nothing there. Am I suppose to remove the two bolts on the right now?

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0714-1.jpg

nope theyre talking about that pin u see right in the middle of the diff, spin it around u can see what im talking about thats what holds the axles apart, once u take that out push in the axle, dont forget about that wheel sensor, and u will see a c clip on the end of the axle. pop it off, should slide off easy with the axle pushed in, then go ahead and pull the axle all the way out

here look at this pic
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/mustangtuning/differential-gears-install-07.jpg

do i have to gently hammer the pin out? there is no way i can push it out

pull out on both axles that will allow it to come out, sorry forgot to mention that

and you took out the retaining bolt, right? just making sure

i noticed that on one rear end i did, it was on a astro but ya it stuck out, took it back to napa, got another and it went right in, didnt check at the time to see if it was shorter but ya, it has to sit flush if i remember correctly, other than that never had problems with em leaking.

I agree that if they work you save a lot of money but if they don't you have to do it all over again. After my problem I will not use them again.

ah damn i'm just working on that one axle. yea retaining bolt is off, i'll pop off the drivers side now, be back in a few lol

I agree that if they work you save a lot of money but if they don't you have to do it all over again. After my problem I will not use them again.

ya i seen it right away it was messed up, just because ive done em in the past. in fact thinkin about it now, i took it back to napa, they didnt have another so i got one from autozone. ive used four so far without issue, one in my s10, one in an astro, one in a third gen, one in a fourth gen. personally i dont like em just because i dont like quick fixes but it has saved my friends the cost of a new axle, im anal and run all delco in my camaro and whenever anything breaks i replace it all. thats why i dont drive it much, dont want to put miles on it haha.

ah damn i'm just working on that one axle. yea retaining bolt is off, i'll pop off the drivers side now, be back in a few lol

u dont have to take the wheel off the drivers, but just make sure ebrake is released its outta gear, and just pull out on the wheel, and grab ahold of the axle on the other side and pull out and that will allow you to take out the pin. once pin is out push in only the passenger side axle and get that clip out

ok i have both rotors removed, and both wheels sensors, and i still can't move that pin. am i missing something?

sounds like it needs some encouragement :judge: haha jk. well if you do have both axles pulled out on that pin should come out relatively easy

Ok it took some wd40, and some gentle persuasion but i got it out lol how does everything look? i'm going to run to the store and pick up the seal right now.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0717.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0718.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0716.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0720.jpg

also this spring-ring came out, do you know where it goes?

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/slp1122/100_0721.jpg

The axles look a little worn to me, but not overly so. If your bearings appear to be okay, I'd leave 'em.

ya looks good to me, normally when the bearing seizes the axle gets torn up pretty good, urs looks normal wear aka good.

just finished putting in the new seal, put the axle back in and rotors back on. Thank you very much for the help. I posted in the gear and axle section here and had no response for a day, then I post in the good old western section and get help immediately :)

now i just have my pinion seal to do.

now i just have my pinion seal to do.

easier to do :nod:

easier to do :nod:

is there a write up on this?

now i just have my pinion seal to do.

From the Diff and Axles sticky (I have no experience with this):

One should not attempt to fix a pinion seal leak unless they are familiar with the way a rear end goes together, because pinion depth & crush sleeves are vital to correct setup. Fixing a pinion seal includes removing the driveshaft, pinion nut, washer, yoke, and old seal. The housing should be clean from nicks, and the yoke should be cleaned with a scotchbrite pad to get rid of any unsmooth areas before the new seal is installed. When retightening the pinion nut, it is important not to overcrush the crush sleeve. Pinion bearing preload needs 24-32 inch/lbs tq with a new crush sleeve, or 8-12 inch/lbs if reusing your old stuff.

easier to do :nod:

That's what I have been reading!

From the Diff and Axles sticky (I have no experience with this):

One should not attempt to fix a pinion seal leak unless they are familiar with the way a rear end goes together, because pinion depth & crush sleeves are vital to correct setup. Fixing a pinion seal includes removing the driveshaft, pinion nut, washer, yoke, and old seal. The housing should be clean from nicks, and the yoke should be cleaned with a scotchbrite pad to get rid of any unsmooth areas before the new seal is installed. When retightening the pinion nut, it is important not to overcrush the crush sleeve. Pinion bearing preload needs 24-32 inch/lbs tq with a new crush sleeve, or 8-12 inch/lbs if reusing your old stuff.

Yea I read that, and pretty much all the people who posted up about doing it themselves say it's really easy so we will see.

ya the main idea is it doesnt have to be cranked down as if u had a new crush sleeve. but its easy

pinion seals are easy!!

1: remove bolts from u-joint straps and then use a big screwdriver, to pry driveshaft loose from yolk. (sticks sometimes from slight rust)

2: either remove drivelshaft or move to side and secure with wire or bunge cord. (if you remove driveshaft, have plug to seal end of trans. to stop from losing fluid from tailshaft)

3: using a impact (either air or a good electric) hold the yolk with one hand and remove the retainer nut.

4: remove the yolk from the housing. it is usally on pretty good and will require a hammer or air chisel to remove. (i usally hit it on the end of the yolk, between the strap bolt holes. i also make sure to spin the yolk around to hit opposite sides evenly as i remove it.)

5: with yolk removed, you can access the pinion seal. i use a big flat head screwdriver and hammer. there is a little lip edge of the seal that sits on the end of the housing (you might need to clean the housing to see it) i use the screwdriver and hammer to hit this edge in. then when i can get the screwdriver between the seal and housing, i hammer it in a (little) and the pry the seal out.

6: clean the housing up! wipe it clean rag and then use a little brake cleaner on a rag to wipe the inside of the housing clean also. (do not spray brake cleaner into the housing)

7: install the pinion seal. a good seal will come with a lip of sealer on the seal where it seal's to the housing? if yours doesn't? it's ok. i have seen it installed dry or some use some 3m super wheatherstrip adhesive (yellow). also take some wheel bearing grease and apply a little bead on the inside of the seal where it rides on the yolk.

8: take the yolk and clean it. i usally take it to my benchgrinder and use the wire wheel to clean the seal surface off, then use a rag with brakeclean to final wipe. (you can use emerycloth/steelwool) after cleaning, wipe some wheel bearing grease on the seal surface, a nice little film will do.

9: re-install the yolk. using the hammer, lightly tap the yolk back on as far as needed to get the nut started (make sure you have some good threads started, don't want to strip the threads!!) then using the impact, tighten the pinion nut back up. i usally hold the yolk in one hand and tighten the nut a little at a time. turning the yolk back and forth to make sure it's not binding. once i make sure the yolk is seated and the pinion nut is tight? just replace the driveshaft, and then recheck the fluid level in the diff.


note: this is just from my personal experience. as a tech for 24 years. i hope this helps those that want it and others that need info. but remember this is for info only!

also! the stupidest question, is the one not asked!