Rear axle seal

[green73]

I recently had to replace the driver rear axle seal after a short run at Bouquet Canyon/Rowher Flats OHV trail . Not necessarily a tough task replacing the seal. I did not prelube the seal lip prior to reinstalling the axle shaft. Within 3 weeks it is now leaking again. The only big change I have made is a set of tires (305-70x16 Hankook Dynapro AT/M). Balanced with dynabeads. There is no noticeable lateral or any balance issues. Is it possible that there is a tire issue causing this? Could it be my over-site in the lube issue? Or should I be looking at something like the wheel bearings (which are relatively newly replaced too)? Or something else that I am failing to see.

Suggestions please before I throw time and parts at it again.

Thanks!

 

[fj80toyman]

Which vehicle are you talking about? I ask because I recently did the seals on my '80.

I would double check the surface of the axle. There may be a groove in it that any number of new seals won't cure. Other than that, it sounds like you've checked some of the other obvious causes.


g'luck. Dan.

 

[green73]

Sorry, I should have been more clear on which cruiser. It's my '96.

 

[green73]

I finally got around to hopefully fixing this. It has been parked since I noticed the leak. I think I found what I did wrong. Apparently I didn't tighten the hub nut enough. There was just enough slop in the hub to trash the bearing seal and new inner axle seal. At least this is what I think happened. With the wheel on I couldn't feel any slop at all. We'll see if this is what happened. Wish me luck, I wanna drive this thing some more!