Can Speedi sleeves be used on a front axle shaft??

[gray]

Wondering if anyone has used Speedi sleeves on their front axles shafts ie: where the axle seal rides?

Thoughts, comments, experience doing it???

Flip side to that, has anyone noticed wear on the axle where
the axle seal rides when they have done the front axle service??

G

 

[cruiserdan]

If you could find a sleeve I don't see why you couldn't use one. The axles do get a groove over time, particularly if the seals are old and hard.

 

[gray]

That was my concern, a groove on the axle leading to increase chance of future leaks, if something is not done; either replace the axle shafts (expensive) or put a sleeve on. Personally, I've never worked with the speedi sleeves. Seems like if you took the birfs off you could slip a sleeve on the shaft from the outer side of the shaft, maybe even leaving the lip of the sleeve on??

g

 

[cruiserdan]

Actually new OEM inner shafts are not that expensive (considering the application). The short side wholesales for ~78 bucks and the long side is ~148 bucks.

 

[gray]

The axles are less than I would have guessed, good to know.

Wondering; are the seals meant to be lubricated normally by the gear oil, or no lube required by design?

If Speedi Sleeves can be used, it may be something to have around when doing the job; ie: able to put everything back together the same day if a small wear groove was found? I'm hoping someone has done it already to see what his results were, and how they got it on, in the proper orientation; ie: as they have to be tapped into place on the shaft. Wondering if the lip on the sleeve would make it through the opening in the axle, etc,etc. Here are a couple of links to SKF and their Speedi Sleeves; maybe someone smarter than me can look at the process and determine if it may work. They have a downloadable PDF file for the sleeves.

http://www.alliedbearings.com/mfg_prod/seals/cr_speedi/cr_speedisleeve_install.pdf

http://www2.vsm.skf.com/usa_english/node199.aspx

http://www2.vsm.skf.com/usa_english/node920.aspx

g

 

[shanegtr]

I've used speedi's quite a bit at work rebuilding industrial gearboxes. They work well as long as they are installed right. They are thin so can crease easily if installed on the piss. Also if the seal groove is deep then I used devcon or similar metal putty to fill the groove and then put the speedi on over it. The sleeve can heat up be damaged if there is a large gap underneath it, due to the thin sleeve. This way the heat tranfers into the shaft quicker

 

[gray]

shanegtr;
I am guessing that "installed on the piss" is an Australian idiomatic (not idiotic) expression for installed crooked, sideways, as in the arch that forms when urinating (pissing) ?in the wind, maybe??
Let me know how close I am.

I did read on the Speedi Sleeve website that a metal epoxy of some sort should be used with deep grooves, then slide the sleeve over before the epoxy dries.

Waiting for someone to tell us that they used one on a front axle.

g

 

[sleeoffroad]

We actually found speedi sleeves and tried them. Not worth the effort compared to the cost of the new shaft. Also, you have to deal with the worn out part under the sleeve otherwise it will just wear through the sleeve.

I think if this was a part time truck, it might be worth it, but not on a full time truck.

 

[gray]

We actually found speedi sleeves and tried them. Not worth the effort compared to the cost of the new shaft. Also, you have to deal with the worn out part under the sleeve otherwise it will just wear through the sleeve.

I think if this was a part time truck, it might be worth it, but not on a full time truck.

Thanks,
That then brings up a couple of questions;
at what point should the axle be replaced? ie: how much wear at the axle seal area is acceptable?

Are there off-center (forget the term) replacement axle seals that will ride either fore or aft of where the original seal lip wear groove is ie: to avoid replacing the axle?

Last; Marlin Crawler has a new-improved beefier axle seal; anyone have experience with those? Apparently, he doesn't have one for the 80, yet??


g

 

[nakman]

Marlin's inner axle seal would definitely work with a "grooved" inner axle, and probably be fine for a long time. That's assuming he's got them ready for the 80 though, which I thought that he had did you call them or are you just going off the web site?

check the for sale section for anyone who's swapped in Longs or something and I bet you could get a used set for pretty cheap. Or just upgrade them for yourself.. http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/ if you want to dream..

 

[Jocho]

Does any one knows the speedi sleeve for fj80 rear shaft size or where can y buy ?

 

[Kernal]

Check for play or movement of the driveshaft side-to-side close to the diff; when the pinion bearings go bad the pinion shaft can wobble which can cause a gear oil leak.

If the pinion bearings are good then it may just need a new pinion seal. The seal rides on the snout of the pinion flange and if a deep groove is worn into the flange (allowing gear oil to leak past the seal) one option would be to replace the pinion flange and seal. The pinion seal however can be set a bit deeper than the original seal which would place the lips of the new seal away from the groove. That might be good enough to stop the leak.

 

[Jocho]

Check for play or movement of the driveshaft side-to-side close to the diff; when the pinion bearings go bad the pinion shaft can wobble which can cause a gear oil leak.

If the pinion bearings are good then it may just need a new pinion seal. The seal rides on the snout of the pinion flange and if a deep groove is worn into the flange (allowing gear oil to leak past the seal) one option would be to replace the pinion flange and seal. The pinion seal however can be set a bit deeper than the original seal which would place the lips of the new seal away from the groove. That might be good enough to stop the leak.

just a month ago y change the seal so it is the flange

 

[PIP]

We actually found speedi sleeves and tried them. Not worth the effort compared to the cost of the new shaft. Also, you have to deal with the worn out part under the sleeve otherwise it will just wear through the sleeve.

I think if this was a part time truck, it might be worth it, but not on a full time truck.

I own and run a heavy machine shop. We do a lot of repairs from small to very large parts. I've used speedi sleeves extensively. They are a super product and generally an improvement over the base material- They are hardened stainless steel.

The trick with speedi-sleeves is installing them properly. In most situations you have to machine the install tool to match the sleeve and the part. That's why they aren't super common in DIY and automotive shops.

I made a tool to install them on 80 front axleshafts. They work great. I wouldn't say it would be a bad idea to do it on brand new axles because of how hard these things seem to be on seals.

 

[Marvelicious]

I own and run a heavy machine shop. We do a lot of repairs from small to very large parts. I've used speedi sleeves extensively. They are a super product and generally an improvement over the base material- They are hardened stainless steel.

The trick with speedi-sleeves is installing them properly. In most situations you have to machine the install tool to match the sleeve and the part. That's why they aren't super common in DIY and automotive shops.

I made a tool to install them on 80 front axleshafts. They work great. I wouldn't say it would be a bad idea to do it on brand new axles because of how hard these things seem to be on seals.

Older thread, but do you happen to know what part number you used for the front axle? I'm gearing up for a knuckle rebuild and it seems like for the price, I might just throw a couple of these on the shelf and have them if I need them. It seems like SKF 99139 would work, but confirmation wouldn't hurt if you happen to know.