Rear axle seal question.... (1 Viewer)

[98 SNAKE EATER]

So I've been putting off replacing the RR axle seal on my 97 TLC for about 6 months now

Since I've never done anything to the rear except drain and fills and I'm pushing half a million miles, I got parts from Beno to do both sides.

So Friday night after work, I pulled into the shop and tore everything down.

Like an idiot, I followed the FSM which said to unplug and remove the ABS sensors, an unneeded step which of course I ended up snapping the bolt to

It wasn't until after I pulled the rotor that I realized it wasn't necessary to remove the sensors

Anyways, onto the seal question....

When I removed the old seal on the passenger side (the leaky one), it appeared to be flush with the end of the spindle.

When I removed the old seal on the driver's side (bone dry), it appeared to be much deeper in the spindle.

Checked both axles for wear and they looked fine, so when I installed the seals, I figured I'd install them a little deeper like the driver's side was.

Now, after about 200 miles, I notice oil seeping from the driver's side flange (I knew I shouldn't have messed with it)

I'm thinking I might have installed them too deep

Is the seal supposed to be flush with the outer edge of the spindle or the inner ridge?

 

[baldilocks]

rear axle service photos

If the seal is inserted too deep, it will be inboard if the seal land on the axle shaft.

 

[Noahrob]

I installed mine about 1/8 - 1/4" from the end if that helps.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Well that answers that....

Guess I'll be pulling both sides again

Hopefully it didn't contaminate the bearing grease too much cause I'll just order new seals and pull the axles with the wheels still on

 

[baldilocks]

Most full floating rear axles don't use grease anyway. The gear oil is what lubricates the wheel bearing. That could probably work for us if we sealed the axle to the hub well enough to contain the oil.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Yeah, the bearings were in great shape, so I just cleaned them up and repacked.

The passenger side was swimming in gear oil.

No bad vibes or anything, the only reason I tore it down was because of a very slight leak on the passenger side (oil was still level at the fill plug)

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

BTW, does anyone have the part numbers for the seals and the gaskets?

Can't find the invoice Onur sent and I know the idjits at my local dealer will be scratching their heads when I walk in there tomorrow

 

[OGBeno]

90311-62002
90310-35001
43422-60040

Two of each

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Cool

Thanks mang

 

[ReformedJeeper]

I did the same thing as you. Then I found out George at Valley hybrids @orangefj45 makes a nice seal installer tool. Since I used that tool i haven't had any issues with front or rear axle seals leaking.

Vendor - Inner axle seal install tool

 

[OGBeno]

I did the same thing as you. Then I found out George at Valley hybrids @orangefj45 makes a nice seal installer tool. Since I used that tool i haven't had any issues with front or rear axle seals leaking.

Vendor - Inner axle seal install tool

Yes. Good to have for the front and the rear axle seals.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, so here's a pic of the old seal on the driver's side (the one that wasn't leaking)

As you can see, it's pushed in quite a bit (possibly bottomed out)

The passenger side (one that was leaking) was flush with the outer edge of the spindle.

Where exactly should it be?

 

[Locked79]

They should be flush with the spindle

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Good to know

Weird how they're in different positions.

AFAIK, they were the original seals from factory

Anyhoo, my local Toyo dealer can get them by this afternoon, but can't deliver to my shop until Wednesday and I gotta be at work by 1 today, so I guess I'll be putting it off again until the weekend (was hoping to get it done on my day off tomorrow)

 

[jonheld]

Most full floating rear axles don't use grease anyway. The gear oil is what lubricates the wheel bearing. That could probably work for us if we sealed the axle to the hub well enough to contain the oil.

That is only true of semi-float Land Cruiser rears. The full float rears are almost identical to the fronts, with inner and outer bearings (same part numbers as the fronts). Wheel bearings are packed with grease and don't run in gear oil.

 

[bloc]

I can't remember who, but one prominent cruiser mechanic on here doesn't put the rear inner seals back in unless the vehicle owner specifically requests it. IIRC he's been doing this with his rig for years and the bearings hold up very well. This is what I'll be doing with mine when I pull the passenger side shaft to have the splines machined off for the locker disassembly.

And yes, avoiding leaks will now depend on your rear bearings staying tight and your outer seal being good. Either scenario gone bad will cause leaks (the first would even with an inner oil seal)

Technically gear oil is a better bearing lubricant than grease anyway.

 

[bloc]

That is only true of semi-float Land Cruiser rears. The full float rears are almost identical to the fronts, with inner and outer bearings (same part numbers as the fronts). Wheel bearings are packed with grease and don't run in gear oil.

By "most" I assume @baldilocks is referring to basically every full-float axle in production other than landcruisers. Whether we are talking about a ford F250-650, over-the-road freightliner, the fire engine I drive, basically all of those full-float axles just have gear oil from the differential splashing into the bearing assemblies as lubricant.

 

[baldilocks]

That is only true of semi-float Land Cruiser rears. The full float rears are almost identical to the fronts, with inner and outer bearings (same part numbers as the fronts). Wheel bearings are packed with grease and don't run in gear oil.

Thank you, I'm aware if this. That's why I said "most" and not "Toyota". This ain't my first rodeo Pardner. Happy 4th.

 

[baldilocks]

By "most" I assume @baldilocks is referring to basically every full-float axle in production other than landcruisers. Whether we are talking about a ford F250-650, over-the-road freightliner, the fire engine I drive, basically all of those full-float axles just have gear oil from the differential splashing into the bearing assemblies as lubricant.

Affirmative Mr. Bloc. Happy 4 th and keep safe, the pyromaniacs will at it again.

 

[baldilocks]

I can't remember who, but one prominent cruiser mechanic on here doesn't put the rear inner seals back in unless the vehicle owner specifically requests it. IIRC he's been doing this with his rig for years and the bearings hold up very well. This is what I'll be doing with mine when I pull the passenger side shaft to have the splines machined off for the locker disassembly.

And yes, avoiding leaks will now depend on your rear bearings staying tight and your outer seal being good. Either scenario gone bad will cause leaks (the first would even with an inner oil seal)

Technically gear oil is a better bearing lubricant than grease anyway.

The mechanic of which you speak refers to himself as @Tools R Us.