Marlin Crawler axle seals??

[Wayne]

I just saw a Youtube video on the 80 Series LC and the guy said to not use Marlin Crawler axle seals when rebuilding the steering knuckles because they leak. Is that true? I have a rebuild kit that has those seals in it. He said to stick to OEM seals. Help me out here. Of course the sales pitch was the Marlin Crawler seals are supposed to be an upgrade over the OEM ones.

 

[94SRUNNER]

A search will give you additional information.

IIRC, the Marlin seals were intended to be used on I believe the chromoly axles. The OEM seals are best used when maintaining the stock axles. Now some users have had good luck with the Marlins, but there is a good number of users who have switched back to the OEM because the Marlins were leaking on the stock axles.

Guys feel free to correct me if I'm off point.

 

[NLXTACY]

Many of us, including me, have had them leak. A few, have had them not leak. I had to change mine in under 5k miles. Went OEM and everything was fine.

 

[joez]

I have had no issues with my marlin seals and RCV's.

 

[Rigwelder]

I have them in my 94 now and they leaked within 6 months. Waiting for oem ones in the mail

 

[Romer]

I think the marlin seals are a bit stiffer and if you have any burs on your axle it will eat into it. The oem are more forgiving. I think that is why some have issues and others don't. BUT it is only a guess on my part

 

[Pascoscout]

Dang, wish I would have searched this out before I rebuilt my axel. I to bought into the sales pitch that the marlins are better.

Assume we are talking about the inner seal between the oil and the grease in the knuckle? Really not looking forward to rebuilding my front end again if they leak. At least it will just be new seals and not bearings and races too.

 

[Qball]

I have Marlins and have not had issues after over 10k and 3 years, in fact you usually won't hear anything when things are working. But the consensus is to go with OEM, but if you got marlin don't sweat it and use it till it leaks.

 

[Romer]

I have Marlins and have not had issues after over 10k and 3 years, in fact you usually won't hear anything when things are working. But the consensus is to go with OEM, but if you got marlin don't sweat it and use it till it leaks.

agreed. Marlin makes great products. Mostly for the minitrucks. Some people never have any issues

 

[Rigwelder]

That'd be correct, I think the factory diff breathers play a part in making the leak worse if they're covered in a 1/4" of old grease and oil like mine were and not working too.

 

[Phildoh]

I had both at time of rebuild, put the marlin in the long side and oem in the short as an experiment. I'm a month in and all is well. I'm a firm believer in its how you install the shaft after installing and axle seal.

 

[Hornd]

I had both at time of rebuild, put the marlin in the long side and oem in the short as an experiment. I'm a month in and all is well. I'm a firm believer in its how you install the shaft after installing and axle seal.

Phil is a firm shaft installer. Don't need help over here, but thanks.