I'm working on a front axle rebuild, I have everything apart and cleaned (except the greasy key board on my computer) After removing the oil seal from the axle housing I stuck my finger in the axle housing just to check it out, there is a lip just inside and then just past that, pretty much as far as my fingers could reach inside I discovered a rough burr on the inside perimiter. After prying it for a bit I managed to remove a mangled piece of metal, its almost like a metal o-ring. There is still some there that I hope to get out tomorrow. What is this ?, how concerned should I be. I have just finished reading the 9 pages re the front axle rebuild and found no mention of it, any ides ?
it sounds like the ring just behind the axel seal about 2cm in to the housing to prevent all the oil resting on the seal and only letting through enough to keep the seal lubricated
There is a sheetmetal thickness metal ring in where you describe that I believe is tack welded in place. Its purpose is to allow the heavy axle shaft to be inserted and slide on this rather than slide on and possibly tear the rubber axle seal. Kind of a guide during insertion. You can also lever on this to help position the splined tip into the differential - again to save the axle seal from abuse/damage.
Some have found their rings damaged from a mechanic inadvertently inserting the heavy shaft and basically hitting it and hammering it out of position. Some have also found theirs loose as you may have (didn't get the prying part). But either way, yours is out but it just requires some extra care inserting the axle shaft. Lube it, lube the seal, try to support the shaft weight with your hands as much as possible during insertion, etc. Be gentle or you'll knock the little spring off the back side of the new oil seal, which would mean you'll be replacing the seal MUCH earlier as that spring keeps tension on the seal lips.
Thanks for the reply guys but no, its just past that. When I reach my finger past that ring I can feel it. The piece I pulled out is mangled, it's about the size of that spring you mention, speaking of which IdahoDougM, I think it was you who mention searching for that little spring prior to removing the oil seal in the axle rebuild write up, well, I spent a while looking for a "spring" before and after removing that seal before it finally dawned on me what you were talking about !!, you might want to clarify what that spring actually looks like to us noobs !! I still cant figure out what this piece I'm pulling out is though.
Here are two pics, one of the axle housing, its hard to make out but you can see the lip inside to keep oil at bay, the other pic is the sliver of metal I pulled out, beside it is the ring from the old oil seal I removed. This sliver is inside the lip I think you guys are talking about.
