anybody using Marlin Crawler HD inner axle seals?

[greenseaman]

I'm gonna be doing my front axle service soon and was thinking about getting Cruiser Outfitters kit with the wheel bearings and use MC's HD inner axle seals. Are these seals worth switching out for or are the regular ones in the kit ok... Whatcha think?

 

[timer00]

I bought the kit from Cruiser Outfitters too and am using the HD Marlin seals. Did my rebuild at 104k about and at 115k now and still good.

There have been some in depth threads about the OEM vs Marlin and the fact the OEM has a more flexible spring etc and can hold the seal better where the Marlin although bigger area has a stiffer spring that can pop and lead to failure. Plenty of people have had Marlin's fail very early 5-10k miles and then switch back to OEM for the 80. From what I have read over time is that the Marlin seal is good for anything pre 80 series.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Marlin Crawler Inners are the preferred choice...

 

[greenseaman]

Well, I found the "birf soup" thread. It sounds like most people like the OEM. I guess it's kinda mixed. Any long term updates?

 

[timer00]

Well, I found the "birf soup" thread. It sounds like most people like the OEM. I guess it's kinda mixed. Any long term updates?

All I got like I said in my first post was 11k or so miles with Marlin and so far so good.

 

[green73]

I did mine a couple thousand miles ago along with the Longfield lifetime wipers. No issues so far. FWIW I also run these on my FJ40, with no issues, but then again that one isn't full time 4wd.

 

[Kernal]

I used the Marlin inner axle seals, after one year but only about 6,000 miles no leaks in either direction even though my axle shafts had some pretty good grooves, so I like the fact that the Marlin seal covered a wider area. I considered swapping out a new Toyota seal spring (more flexible) to replace the stiff Marlin spring, but didn't. Time will tell.

 

[azcromntic]

I used Marlin and things are fine so far. I have about 5000 on them.

 

[bruff]

Marlins on my '92 (now sold, but lives 2 doors down the street). No issues after 25,000 miles. Just did the front end on my '96 and also put in the Marlins.

 

[SoCal_80]

Using them and all is well so far!

 

[blzrfn]

2 years and 15k miles and no leaks here with the Marlin seals.

 

[chap79]

I used the MC inner seals and their axle rebuild kit. Haven't seen/felt any issues to complain about.

 

[1973Guppie]

just did my front end in m 80 and all is fine with the marlin inner seals....

 

[Nay]

Couple years on mine, all good.

 

[86tuning]

The Marlin seals are the ONLY thing that works on the older mini trucks. I've put in several sets on those. When it's time to re-do the front end in my 80 I will be using Marlin's seals. And probably rifle-drilling my birf stub for a grease port.

 

[9180ltd]

I put the marlins in 20k ago and have had moly running back into the diff at an excessive rate after the 2-4k mark. Haven't had time to tear back into it to see why, just been changing gear oil and topping up birfs every 4-5 since. Gonna check spindle bushings when I get a spare weekend and probably go back to oem. There were no groves on my shafts that I noticed when I did the install.

 

[OGBeno]

Not happy with them on a FT rig. On a PT rig, they work fine.

I'm going back to OEM though when I regear next month.

 

[elhombre]

My Marlin seals failed after 15k. One side was wet while the other was pure soup. No grooves on shafts. Back to OEM.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Mr T used a suspension seal on the full time 80 for a reason. Not to say Marlin seal is bad, as an extra wide fixed seal its a great choice for a 40 or 60, just not on an 80 for me.

 

[greenseaman]

Thanks for the input guys! I guess I'll just go with the OEM. I really appreciate it!