Front Axle Oil Seal

[jemsec]

Been doing maintenance on my 99 lately and have a small problem with the passenger side axle oil seal. I can't get the stinking thing in without making a mess of the seal.

Have cleaned and packed both hubs and found a torn boot. Used the thread here to dismantle the axle without too much trouble. Rebooted and greased axle and removed oil and oil seal. When installing the seal, OEM Toyota part, it went in cocked and I destroyed it when pulling it out.

That was late Saturday. The only place the had one and open was NAPA. After 20 minutes of explaining what I wanted and actually took over the guys computer, found it. It looked just like the Toyota part.

Also, wife insisted she go with me and on the way back made me stop for Mexican food. I know she planned that. Made matters even worse. Bloated, heartburn, PO'ed.

Then:
When I tried to install it, you couldn't have gotten it in with a 12 pound sledge hammer. When placed next to the Toyota seal you could feel and see a very small difference in diameter. The NAPA seal was a little bit bigger. Maybe 1/32". Never will I buy anything from NAPA again. Talk about being POed!! $13.00 for a seal that can be bought from Toyota for less than $8.00, Conicelli Toyota Parts. I'm in the south and these guys have become my dear friends. Even though they talk funny.

Is there a trick to installing this seal? Going to get two more today. One as a spare for when I tear up the first. If I get enough seals sooner or later I'll get one in right. On my maintenance list there will be the following: right Front Oil Seals - $725.00.

I know it should be a simple task but for some reason I'm having a mental issue with this thing. Think I was more concerned about getting the axle shaft set than putting in a simple oil seal. I have a seal setting tool and thought that would make it simple - NO!

Thanks for any advise that might solve this problem.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

What are you using to seat it? You can borrow/rent a seal seating kit at most car parts places.

 

[jemsec]

Thanks for the response Mr. Monkey,

Used this one found on Amazon.com,

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4408-Piece-Bearing-Driver/dp/B001C6JCX2/?tag=ihco-20

It may be part of the problem.

Going to try starting it in very slowly and then using the tool. Slowly, slowly.

 

[spressomon]

I've used the Harbor Freight seal install kit with satisfaction. But as you found out if you start the seal not near square/perpendicular to the axle tube then its difficult to install it properly. I think once you have the Toyota OEM seal you'll be fine...with the addition of a seal installer.

18 Piece Seal Driver Kit

 

[bkgee]

that kit looks lie the way to go. fwiw, i've used a carefully selected socket in the past with good results, just being slow and steady.

 

[jemsec]

Thanks for the advice and information. I got it in being careful and slow. Once it was started good used the "correct" seating tool. Checking after each tap. Axle went in just like the descriptive thread suggests. Drained and filled the diff with synthetic oi. No leaks!
Back on the road again and will get the one on the right next.

Thanks again!

 

[jemsec]

Here I go again. Think I put the drivers side oil seal in too deep and wonder if it will leak like you know what?
Have put it back together and suspect the axle may have to come back out, remove seal and replace again.

Has anyone set the seal too deep and not experienced any leaks? Or should I just start over now rather than later?

May change my name to "oil seal junky".

Addition: Yes, it leaks like there is no seal at all. All over my driveway.