Damaged inner PS axle?

[Hog Head]

I got the PS inner axle cleaned up and I noticed wear in the area that the inner axle oil seal is. There is a lip that you can catch with a fingernail and the area where the rubber of the seal rides feels like it is slightly grooved. There was some molly in the diff fluid when I drained the diff. Will this seal up with a new oil seal? Is this bad or am I worrying too much?

Thanks,

Gene

 

[concretejungle]

my question is, if the groove isn't too deep, can he file it smooth and be ok?

 

[Hog Head]

my question is, if the groove isn't too deep, can he file it smooth and be ok?

If I where to smooth it down wouldn't it change the diameter of the machined surface? I have come to the realization that the PO did no maint other than what was obvious. The felts were rusted to the knuckles amongst other signs of neglect.

Gene

 

[concretejungle]

If I where to smooth it down wouldn't it change the diameter of the machined surface? I have come to the realization that the PO did no maint other than what was obvious. The felts were rusted to the knuckles amongst other signs of neglect.

Gene

I was thinking as long as it's not deep. I don't intend on you removing a lot of material making the diameter smaller. Just filing off the prickly parts so it wouldn't rip the oil seal. Perhaps, fill the cavity with jb weld then file it smooth.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Those double contact points indicate that it was not your seal lip wearing, but in fact the metal seal edges themselves so you are in luck here. I don't see seal wear problems. The seal lip will ride in the middle of these two marks. Assuming the seal that made these marks was properly and fully seated, if you do the same with the new one the seal will ride between them and be fine.

What needs to be addressed is how your axle is contacting the seal's metal lips. If you have not pulled it yet, then some careful study of the seal will yield usable information. For instance, if it's contacting the seal only in one spot (say, 12 o'clock) then it may be dealt with. If it's contacting the seal edges all around the seal, then something is worn (spindle bushings, birf joint) so badly it may need replacing.

Have you looked at your knuckle upper and lower bearings? This could be very worn or loose indicator here. What else is going on here?

DOugM

 

[robjam]

I saw the same thing on my PS side inner axle. I left it alone. CDan and I discussed the groove and we discussed smoothing it out. The groove was clean and no sharps on it, so I really didn't sand it enough to make a difference, IMHO.

I really doubt a weld and then sanding would produce any better results and probably waorse and more of a PITA. I have not removed my grease fill port on the knuckle to assess any front differential oil leaking into the knuckle (my concern), so that's no help from me.

If I recall, the PS inner axle is about $150.00 (not for sure on that). Replace it if it bugs you and $$$ allows. Otherwise, leave it be. You can always replace it later without having to rebuild the whole front axle over again.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck and may the force be with you.

Rob

 

[Hog Head]

Those double contact points indicate that it was not your seal lip wearing, but in fact the metal seal edges themselves so you are in luck here. I don't see seal wear problems. The seal lip will ride in the middle of these two marks. Assuming the seal that made these marks was properly and fully seated, if you do the same with the new one the seal will ride between them and be fine.

What needs to be addressed is how your axle is contacting the seal's metal lips. If you have not pulled it yet, then some careful study of the seal will yield usable information. For instance, if it's contacting the seal only in one spot (say, 12 o'clock) then it may be dealt with. If it's contacting the seal edges all around the seal, then something is worn (spindle bushings, birf joint) so badly it may need replacing.

Have you looked at your knuckle upper and lower bearings? This could be very worn or loose indicator here. What else is going on here?

DOugM

Doug,

I have not removed the inner seal yet so I can not say what it looks like yet. The spindle is being replaced because of other issues, but the bushing wore unevenly. It was worn more at the bottom. From what I can tell, the upper and lower knuckle bearings appear to be original. I am doing a complete axle rebuild including replacing the tie-rod ends. The truck pulled to the right pretty hard before I started taking it apart. The PS inner axle is only around $75 at the smart shopper price, so rather than having to worry about the new seal leaking, I am just going to replace it.

Gene

 

[Hog Head]

I saw the same thing on my PS side inner axle. I left it alone. CDan and I discussed the groove and we discussed smoothing it out. The groove was clean and no sharps on it, so I really didn't sand it enough to make a difference, IMHO.

I really doubt a weld and then sanding would produce any better results and probably waorse and more of a PITA. I have not removed my grease fill port on the knuckle to assess any front differential oil leaking into the knuckle (my concern), so that's no help from me.

If I recall, the PS inner axle is about $150.00 (not for sure on that). Replace it if it bugs you and $$$ allows. Otherwise, leave it be. You can always replace it later without having to rebuild the whole front axle over again.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck and may the force be with you.

Rob

Rob,

I am worried about the diff fluid and moly mixing after the rebuild, so I am just going to replace it. It is only about $75 at the smart shopper price. I believe the DS inner axle is around $150.

And may the force be with you also.

Gene

 

[Rich]

You should determine why the bushing was worn on the bottom. It could be whatever caused that is also what caused the axle to wear. Check your axle housing for straightness. Have you been jumping the truck?

 

[mrsalty]

'Speedi-sleeve'

For $75 I would replace the PS axle. For the cost of a DS (long side) I would use a 'speedi-sleeve'. NAPA $40. I have some grooved axle's that I got with some birf's I bought, which will be getting the sleeves when needed.

Chris

94 FZJ80 142K Locked 2.5 OME 285's DD Pin 7 NEW HG

 

[Hog Head]

You should determine why the bushing was worn on the bottom. It could be whatever caused that is also what caused the axle to wear. Check your axle housing for straightness. Have you been jumping the truck?

Rich,

LOL No I haven't been jumping the truck. Everything does look straight. I have not found anything bent or warped yet. I bought the truck at 148k and it now has 150k. Like I said earlier, I don't think the PO ever did the front axle service and all the bearings, spindles, seals, inner axle etc, show it. The wheel bearings were burnt on the PS and there was almost no grease. The wheel bearings were loose. there was some but not alot of moly inside the knuckle housing. Yes the bushing was worn more at the bottom but it was also worn around the rest of the inside of the bushing. I think the trunnion bearings, like Doug mentioned, were toast. Once again, there was some but not alot of grease in them also. The dust seals were hard and brittle like they had never been replaced. I think, IMHO, all the problems that I have found have been created by a lack of maintainence for the last 150k.

Gene