I had a place replace one of my rear axles, and they had to take off the other rear axle to punch out the bad one. I noticed that the old one is now wet with gear oil and actually drips some.

Could they have damaged an oil seal or something when they removed and reinstalled the axle? Coulld it be something else, maybe too high of an oil level in the differential?

Whatever it is, how difficult would it be to repair?

Thanks

 

Sounds like seal is distorted/damaged already probably from dirt and mud especially if they had to punch the drive shaft out. Seals probably should have been replaced at that time. You can replace em,but drive shafts have to come back out! OPT

 

Damage to the other seal is possible if not removed properly. Any time I replace say a seal, bearing, etc. I go ahead and replace the other side. If one is worn out the odds are pretty good that the other side isn't far behind.

 

Thanks, guys.
Is replacing a seal a DYI? I know the axle will come off a lot easier than the first time. If so, could you please let me know the steps? I don't know what all needs to be disconnected to pull the axle and then how to pull the seal and seat the new one. Is the seal what the service manual calls a triple lip seal or something like that?

Thanks

 

Pull the hubs,plus easier access to drive shaft if you remove the torsion bar upper arm(1/2" bolts) pull off and move up out of the way(install the upper torsion bar FIRST after drive shaft is back in). After that just quick jerks on the drive shaft and should come out easy(To install back in use a block of wood or dead blow hammer on shaft end(DON'T hit shaft end directly with a hammer!),helps to have a friend hold drive shaft straight and tap in, circlip will seat on the shaft) Just use a cheap seal puller (better than scarring case with a screw driver,can get em for about 3-4 bucks) pop the seals out and install the new ones.(BIG socket helps OR just start the seals straight and work around to seat it) Wipe a little grease inside the seal lip for protection when installing drive shafts. Replace both seals,not just the leaking one! Good luck OPT

 

Thanks. I spoke with the guy that worked on the axles, and he said that the seal looked good when he did the work.
Since then, I changed the rear diff oil and filled it all the way to the sight plug. Would it be likely that that could be causing the leak and that the seal is ok?
The guy said that the oil should be at about 1/4" below the sight plug and that maybe this is what is happening.

 

If I remember correctly the rear gear case only holds 5 ozs. Could have something to do with the leaking,BUT seals should hold in my opinion. Just drain it and put the right amount back in and try it out,BUT once a seal leaks,best to replace it! If oil can come out,water and dirt can come in! OPT