Do I need to replace the axle? Or rebuild it? (1 Viewer)

[SwoopBoozer]

Howdy! Got my first LC and finally got all my parts, in the process of replacing the rear rotors and brake pads, I noticed a lot of oil on the inside of the Driver Side, Rear Rotor. Further investigation revealed a gap between what I assume is the Bearing Case(?) and the oil slinger at the end of the axle shaft?

My Question Is, Should I replace the Axle? Or just Pull it and repress with new seals? I am not experiencing any vibration or drive issues at this time

Thanks!

 

[SwoopBoozer]

I should mention, This is a 2001 Land Cruiser. Sorry about the lack of clarification!

 

[3_puppies]

gear oil? yes, it needs to be fixed

where in MT are you?
you can check in the clubhouse section also:

MT- 406 Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Patassa]

The risk is that gear oil is making it past the seal into the axle bearing and washing away the grease in the bearing. Mine was leaking for years before I finally replaced it. The bearing still had grease in it and wasn't making any noise. The job was a total PITA, I had to buy a press to do it and there are some mistakes that can be made that will force you to cut off or pull off the new bearing and force you to start all over (like pressing the parts on too far). I wouldn't tackle it unless you're experienced with presses or the bearing is screaming at you.

 

[hoser]

Rear Axle Seal & Bearing Job

Hey Dudes, If you've discovered a Rear Axle Seal Leak or a problem with one of your Rear Axle Wheel Bearings, I have a video series that will help you out. This is Part 1. Part 2 will be coming out soon. Hope you Dudes enjoy it. Happy Wrenching!

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[SwoopBoozer]

The risk is that gear oil is making it past the seal into the axle bearing and washing away the grease in the bearing. Mine was leaking for years before I finally replaced it. The bearing still had grease in it and wasn't making any noise. The job was a total PITA, I had to buy a press to do it and there are some mistakes that can be made that will force you to cut off or pull off the new bearing and force you to start all over (like pressing the parts on too far). I wouldn't tackle it unless you're experienced with presses or the bearing is screaming at you.

Ahh, gotcha. Did yours have an asymmetrical gap like mine does? The gap on the top, where the bearing hub meets the case, is razor thin and the gap gets larger the further down around the assembly you go. I am concerned it may damage the axle if not fixed sooner rather than later. Thanks!

 

[3_puppies]

Ahh, gotcha. Did yours have an asymmetrical gap like mine does? The gap on the top, where the bearing hub meets the case, is razor thin and the gap gets larger the further down around the assembly you go. I am concerned it may damage the axle if not fixed sooner rather than later. Thanks!

it doesn't really matter, if there is gear oil leaking, you will ruin the new brakes, it needs to be fixed now

 

[Patassa]

Not sure I agree that it will ruin a new brake job. I guess it depends on how bad your leak is but you could clean everything that's in front of you up and if the leak is minor it will mostly just soak the emergency brake pads and might smell bad as it burns off through braking.

 

[shtbrwn86]

The risk is that gear oil is making it past the seal into the axle bearing and washing away the grease in the bearing. Mine was leaking for years before I finally replaced it. The bearing still had grease in it and wasn't making any noise. The job was a total PITA, I had to buy a press to do it and there are some mistakes that can be made that will force you to cut off or pull off the new bearing and force you to start all over (like pressing the parts on too far). I wouldn't tackle it unless you're experienced with presses or the bearing is screaming at you.

I had the same issue on my 88 4Runner. I took the axle out and took it to a machine shop and had them press new bearings in. Thought it was going to take them a while but they were done by the time I got home. Much easier than doing it yourself!

 

[Patassa]

Ahh, gotcha. Did yours have an asymmetrical gap like mine does? The gap on the top, where the bearing hub meets the case, is razor thin and the gap gets larger the further down around the assembly you go. I am concerned it may damage the axle if not fixed sooner rather than later. Thanks!

I'm not really sure what's going on with that gap situation. That might be a real problem, but a bent axle seems like it would manifest in some ungodly vibrations.

 

[Bisho]

There may not be a thing wrong with the bearing, but your oil seal inside the tube is bad for sure. There is also a large O-ring that you'll need to replace. Replacing that seal is not a fun job, but doable. I needed to make a tool to pull the seal, and ruined the first seal trying to install it. Luckily I had purchased two and the second went in square.

That gap is odd. I would turn the axle to see if the gap moves with the axle. If it does, something is probably bent...

 

[Patassa]

There may not be a thing wrong with the bearing, but your oil seal inside the tube is bad for sure. There is also a large O-ring that you'll need to replace. Replacing that seal is not a fun job, but doable. I needed to make a tool to pull the seal, and ruined the first seal trying to install it. Luckily I had purchased two and the second went in square.

That gap is odd. I would turn the axle to see if the gap moves with the axle. If it does, something is probably bent...

Agreed, the job sucks. There is a guy on ebay selling a pretty complete kit and the tools he made are robust enough, if just barely to get the job done. I had to redo this job as well bc I pushed some parts on too far, it's a push and check kinda job which means pressing a few clunks then taking it out of the press, then getting everything set up and pushing another clunk or two until it's hopefully juuuuuuuuust right, while also trying to avoid being off square and galling up the shaft or seal ring. I had to cut off a brand new bearing and seal ring after the first screw up, which also isn't fun bc if you nick the axle, now you're contemplating having to buy a new axle too. 0/10 wouldn't recommend doing unless you have to. And with the important of where the seal ring sits in the rubber seal, I'm not sure I'd trust anyone else to do it correctly unless they've done it many times before.

 

[SwoopBoozer]

I was able to get this done for roughly 250 bucks, plus parts I supplied to the shop. new axle installed yesterday and hopefully we have no gear oil leakage!

 

[Patassa]

I was able to get this done for roughly 250 bucks, plus parts I supplied to the shop. new axle installed yesterday and hopefully we have no gear oil leakage!

Def report back, setting up the seal ring in the seal is critical, that sounds awfully cheap.