EvilMJ Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 So... The DS outer axle seal started leaking on the MJ. This is a non disconnect axle with an outer tube seal. It's this correct from the factory, or has it been retrofitted? Took it apart, inner axle was rusty and pitted, but no signs of water. I'm wondering if this wasn't an inner seal axle someone installed before I got the truck (u joint had been replaced recently). We sanded it down and put some tacky Lucas red grease on it to help with leakage, but to no avail... It's worse lol. So the big question, it's this the original axle setup or a retrofit? Also, does anyone know what inner axle I need to replace it, and is it worth it to upgrade to chromoly? Thanks in advance for the help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodemonk Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 Retrofit. Aftermarket companies sell them but I would only ever run them as a backup or additional seal alongside the stock inner seal.Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMJ Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 8 minutes ago, thecodemonk said: Retrofit. Aftermarket companies sell them but I would only ever run them as a backup or additional seal alongside the stock inner seal. Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk They use the stock axle shaft, or is it different? And I'm also assuming I have a bad inner seal them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodemonk Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 Yeah, they use the stock shaft and the exterior ones are greasable. It's possible you just have a failed grease seal on it, but it's always good to have fresh inner axle seals Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Janitor Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Those are aftermarket outer seals. They keep junk from getting into the axle tubes. Inner seals require the removal of the differential to replace. You have a leaking inner seal, that's why fluid is coming out of it. It's cheap fix, but requires complete axle reassembly to fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Janitor Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Set up looks to be stock shafts. I'm sure it's a stock dana30 with just those aftermarket outer seals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMJ Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 This is what I've already figured out unfortunately. The outer seal is a standard timken Dana 30 seal (not sure how it's greased, but I did see the greasable ones on online during my research today). So, better question now is, upgrade to chromoly shafts while I'm down, or just stay stock? Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodemonk Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Depends...I made my stock shafts last on locked 35's on my dana 30, but I was really gentle with them and always carried spares anyways. If you're staying 33's and below and don't have a heavy foot, you're probably fine. If you have a heavy foot, then probably best to upgrade while you have it apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy in Pa Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 I liked running those outer seals for two reasons.. 1. The obvious of it keeps dirt out, and can help with a leaky inner seal if in good shape 2. It you do break a u-joint, it holds the inner shaft in better alignment to prevent the outer and inner shaft from binding and breaking the ball joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMJ Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 9 hours ago, thecodemonk said: Depends...I made my stock shafts last on locked 35's on my dana 30, but I was really gentle with them and always carried spares anyways. If you're staying 33's and below and don't have a heavy foot, you're probably fine. If you have a heavy foot, then probably best to upgrade while you have it apart. Kinda my thought; they aren't expensive, and I do have 35s... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodemonk Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Better safe than sorry! Upgrade time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Janitor Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Weld the caps of the u joints to the outer shaft yoke for a little bit strength without upgrades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I like running the outer seals as well however, the axle shaft is not machined for a seal at that location and thus you need to keep it greased very well so it doesn’t tear up the seal. For the inner axle seal I went with seals-it seals. They make an inner axle seal that is astronomically better than the oem ones. https://sealsit.com/product/economy-axle-seal/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMJ Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 Thanks for the link, I'm going to check them out. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now