Rear Axle Seal Source for Neoprene Seals?

[59bisquik]

I just put my rear axle back together and it is leaking at the pinion seal and I am surprised its not leaking at the wheel seals. Does anyone have a source for Neoprene wheel seals and pinion seal? I went through Roberts and got leather seals that I am not too happy with. I figured I would give it one more shot before swapping in a new rear axle.

Edited December 27, 2015 by 59bisquik

[JBNeal]

is the problem with the seals or with the shafts...many folks have to do the SKF sleeves on the shafts to give the seal a smooth surface to act upon.  The old seals would wear just enough of a "groove" onto the machined surface so that even new seals weep.  Every shaft I have is in need of the SKF sleeves so that the seals will work properly

[59bisquik]

The shafts and pinion flange look ok. So maybe I just screwed up the seals putting them in. I know I really struggled with the inner axle seals.

[MBF]

Being they're leather seals, did you soak them in oil before installing them?  I've had to use speedi sleeves on the pinion of my 1 ton.  It had just a slight groove in it that you could barely feel.  Even after a good cleaning there was seepage.  The sleeves added just enough meat to allow the seals to do their job.  I'm sure the new smooth surface will prolong the life of the seals as well.   Mike

[59bisquik]

Yes, I did soak them first. The pinion seal is my main concern right now. After a short time of running, it starts slinging oil.

[Brian Metzger]

Dodge central of Michigan has them

[desoto1939]

Did you check the bolts on the diff housing they also might be loose. Tighten them up or even the gasket on the diff housing might be cracked.  There is a special tool that is used to drive in the pinion seal. This insures that the seal is driven in straight and there is equal pressure on the outside metal when driving the seal into place.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[59bisquik]

I am pretty sure it's the pinion seal and not a crack. I just installed the pumpkin and nothing is leaking there. It only leaks around the seal after it's been running.

I will give Dodge Central call and see what they have for seals.

Where do I get the "correct" seal driver?

[JBNeal]

I use a length of steel tube that has an OD close if not a little over the pinion seal's OD, with a plate over the end of the tube so that the seal can be driven equally by striking the plate as close as possible to its center...this setup looks very similar to the special driver shown in the shop manual

Edited December 27, 2015 by JBNeal

[59bisquik]

I ordered up all three seals from DCM. I will check my flange and shafts for grooves before going back together. Hopefully this will solve my issues and get me on the road soon.

[59bisquik]

The new seals showed up today and I pulled her all apart to install the new pinion seal. JB was right, there was a groove in the pinion flange and even some pitting. DCM is gonna check if they have a replacement and if not, I will go with the SKF sleeve method.

 

[59bisquik]

So the sleeve is installed and the axle shafts look ok. I pulled it back apart to install the neoprene inner seals and will replace the bearings while I am at it.

 

[wings515]

I've used the Speedy Sleeve from SKF on two rears and they work great.  It does not take a very deep grove in the pinion to allow the oil to seep by.  Best $30 you will spend to seal the rear.