80 Series Front Inner Axle Seal Comparison (1 Viewer)

[CaptBeardilocks]

Working on various projects on the diesel 80 last evening, I noticed that I had something of a collection of Front Inner Axle Seals. Probably due to my ongoing front axle leak that refuses to die.

But I thought I'd take a few pics for anyone curious about the differences or with this choice to make. And there is a surprising amount of differences between them.

Left: OEM Toyota
Middle: Trail Gear
Right: Marlin Crawler EcoSeal

Interestingly, all 3 would sit in a different place on the axle, helping those with a worn in groove from the stock seal. I have heard rumors that some people have an issue with the Trail Gear seal not staying seated if you don't clean the area very carefully. You can see that Marlin added a grippy outer seal for additional security. Personally I prefer the metal casing on the Marlin. They also claim that they have a better spring design to maintain pre-load and double sealing lip.

So far this is all academic for me. I've only ever run the OEM and they always leak on mine after a few thousand miles. I suspect a very very lightly tweaked housing. I'm going to try the Marlin next and see if it helps at all.

 

[Hornd]

I am facing this Same Leak Myself on Drivers Side. - Greasy Mess on inside of Tire.
Just purchased a new seal from Dealership $18.99.
Had the Axle Shaft Groove Welded Up and Turned to original Size for $70.
Next will be a New Shaft for $110 from Cruiser Outfitters ie CruiserTEQ.

Used CAMO Method on Youtube for Disassembly - CAMO Method for Birfield Joint

 

[CaptBeardilocks]

I have new(ish) RCV axles and may third set of OEM seals is currently in there leaking. So it's time for a new approach. I'm not in any way confident, it's more of a Hail Mary before I have to face the prospect of housing replacement.

The Marlins are very reasonably priced ($12), but shipping from them is brutal (I paid $17 for the single seal).

 

[DivByZero]

Have you seen the labyrinth style seals which don't use a lip, and instead rotate on themselves internally? Terrain tamer came out with them for the 80 a few years back, including the inner seal I believe. I'm planning to swap over to them when i rebuild my front hubs. Thread here discussing them:

Terrain Tamer Heavy Duty hub seals: anyone use them yet?

Was watching some You tubby videos out of Australia and came across one discussing the Terrain Tamer HD hub seals. Apparently the seal rotates on itself instead of on the spindle with the idea to reduce wear which is particularly important on the rear spindles which are not replaceable. The...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[DivByZero]

Here's a link to the Aussie terrain tamer site advertising the inner hub seal, so it should be a thing, if you can source it state-side:

TERRAIN TAMER HEAVY DUTY HUB SEAL INNER

TERRAIN TAMER HEAVY DUTY HUB SEAL INNER

www.terraintamer.com

 

[Hornd]

If you are Putting in New Seals try Sleeving the Shaft with the SKF Speedi Sleeve.
Have heard Good things.

Speedi-Sleeve?

I have a 71 Fj40 and the tcase was leaking from the ebrake. I replaced the seal, but found that the ebrake drum shaft was badly pitted. No way that was going to seal up. I just happened to have a spare tcase from an older 45 that had a good drum so used that one. I do want to repair the pitted...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[bhsdriller]

Here's a link to the Aussie terrain tamer site advertising the inner hub seal, so it should be a thing, if you can source it state-side:

TERRAIN TAMER HEAVY DUTY HUB SEAL INNER

TERRAIN TAMER HEAVY DUTY HUB SEAL INNER

www.terraintamer.com

In your first post Georg at Valley Hybrids says he keeps them in stock. Was 2 years ago but probably still does

 

[CaptBeardilocks]

Those look really cool. Especially for the rears.

But what I'm talking about here are the inner AXLE seal. Not in the inner HUB seal. Different animal.

Unless I'm missing something.

 

[DivByZero]

Those look really cool. Especially for the rears.

But what I'm talking about here are the inner AXLE seal. Not in the inner HUB seal. Different animal.

Unless I'm missing something.

Sorry, you clearly wrote axle, but my brain parsed that as hub. It is almost 2am here though, so my brain is functioning even worse than usual.