Tail Shaft Leak

[WahooSteeler]

Noticed a while back the tail shaft on my 231 xfer case had a heavy drip. Replaced the seal with a National brand and the leak remained. Replaced that one with a Timken and while it seems to be a little better, still leaking. I looked for cracks in the tail shaft housing the best I could while laying on my back with a flashlight and did not see anything. Thoughts? 

[Strokermjcomanche]

At one point in time national made repair kits that solved  that issue .  Basically it was a thin piece of metal that you slid over the shaft  it would make the diameter greater so the seal would be tighter around the shaft. not sure if they make it for that specific application, but I'm sure local parts store will tell you if they do or not. I happen to not work at One anymore to tell you if they do or not

 

 I'd also like to add if you're bearing is shot, the shaft will not be turning true which will allow fluid to come out. Maybe looking to have the tail shaft bearing replaced 

[mjeff87]

^^^speedi sleeve.

[MiNi Beast]

Id replace the tcase to be safe. 

[watchamakalit]

1 hour ago, MiNi Beast said:

Id replace the tcase to be safe. 

Maybe he should just sell me the truck. I can put some cardboard down under it.

[MiNi Beast]

7 minutes ago, watchamakalit said:

Maybe he should just sell me the truck. I can put some cardboard down under it.

[WahooSteeler]

5 hours ago, watchamakalit said:

Maybe he should just sell me the truck. I can put some cardboard down under it.

 

I can live with it marking it's spot LOL! The seal that was in there when I first noticed it must have been going on for awhile as the tcase fluid was a bit low when I changed it out. Although, I've also spend a fair amount of time under the truck in the past year and routinely look for drips and leaks and did not see anything until recently. Anyhoo, when I changed it the second time it was still just a hair below full. FWIW, the output shaft had no play to it as I thought it could be an internal seal or bearing. Worst case I just check the level every so often but it's my son's DD for now so it's hard to get it in the driveway long enough to check. 

 

Jeff, so is Speedi Sleeve the name of the product Stroker was referring to?

[WahooSteeler]

And in 3.2 seconds I answered my own question. Now to confirm the size needed........

 

https://www.skf.com/us/products/industrial-seals/power-transmission-seals/wear-sleeves/skf-speedi-sleeve

[WahooSteeler]

6 hours ago, MiNi Beast said:

Id replace the tcase to be safe. 

 

I've always had the idea of going with a 242 one day

[MiNi Beast]

2 hours ago, WahooSteeler said:

 

I've always had the idea of going with a 242 one day

And you always will until you just do it. Get one and get it installed.  

[WahooSteeler]

Great info from Stroker and MJeff on the Speedi-Sleeve, which is mfr'd by SKF. Stroker, National still makes them also, the Redi-Sleeve. Link to the SKF site below and the 90+ seals and bearings they have specifically for MJ's, might be worth bookmarking for some of you! Also a link to simple installation video. They are $40-50 from the box chain stores, but Amazon has National brand for $25 and SKF for $31 and hopefully this cures the leak. FYI, part # for this is 99149 regardless of mfr. 

 

https://vehicleaftermarket.skf.com/us/en/search-parts?vehicleid=nam0-2238&tab=tab_1_automotive

 

 

 

[WahooSteeler]

Got the speedi-sleeve, actually a redi-sleeve from National, and I'm a little unsure of where I need to install it. If I put it on the driveshaft yoke it will only be partially down on the yolk and although it's certainly going to be on tight could it possibly slide out of position later. Or, do I put it in the Yoke opening on the tail shaft housing, but then is the yolk not going to be able to slide in?

[AZJeff]

You put the sleeve on the area where the seal will ride.  The slip yoke normally only moves axially about 1/2 inch under normal conditions.  (Rock crawling or other extreme axle flex would be greater motion of the yoke, but in normal road use, 1/2 inch is typical.) 

 

With your driveshaft installed and the vehicle at normal ride height, you should be able to find the spot where the seal rides.  Center the sleeve over that spot.

[WahooSteeler]

4 hours ago, AZJeff said:

You put the sleeve on the area where the seal will ride.  The slip yoke normally only moves axially about 1/2 inch under normal conditions.  (Rock crawling or other extreme axle flex would be greater motion of the yoke, but in normal road use, 1/2 inch is typical.) 

 

With your driveshaft installed and the vehicle at normal ride height, you should be able to find the spot where the seal rides.  Center the sleeve over that spot.

 

Thanks Jeff, that's the info I was looking for in how much the yoke would move in normal use. 99% of the time it is on the road and any off-road use would be trail running and not much extreme flex. 

[AZJeff]

On 9/6/2021 at 6:16 PM, WahooSteeler said:

 

Thanks Jeff, that's the info I was looking for in how much the yoke would move in normal use. 99% of the time it is on the road and any off-road use would be trail running and not much extreme flex. 

One other suggestion:   Loctite makes a special kind of compound to retain sleeves on shafts.  I would apply a layer of this to the area where you are going to have the sleeve positioned before you actually press the sleeve onto the shaft.   Here is what you need:

 

Loctite 640