Axle seals...worn axle shaft???
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Axle seals...worn axle shaft???
Hey guys, don't worry, this is not another thread about changing axle seals....I did my homework & searched the forums so I'm now familiar on how to change the front axle seals on my 96 4X4 Ram 1500. My question however is that nobody mentioned the axle shaft themselves...which surprises me. Has nobody seen grooves worn into the axle shaft? Nobobdy has had to sleeve the shaft or get it machined so that even the new seals won't leak due to a groove worn into the axle shaft? Just wondering b/c I'm about to undertake this task and want to be prepared for the worst....Thanks in advance!
Joined: Aug 2007
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RE: Axle seals...worn axle shaft???
Iam actually going trough the exact same thing with my 96' 4x4 ram i replaced the seal, but it still leaks i also have a groove in mine. I was hoping the seal would take anyway, but no such luck. I am waiting now for a new axle to come in and iam going to fix it that way. I hate to keep messing around trying to get something to work instead of just fixing it. To tell you the truth I never thought of re-sleeveing the axle.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: Axle seals...worn axle shaft???
does anybody know if these sleeves can be purchased or do they have to be custom machined??
I don't even know if mine are like that...I haven't started this job yet but I just want to be prepared for it because the truck has 160,000 miles on it so I'm kind of expecting them to be grooved.
I don't even know if mine are like that...I haven't started this job yet but I just want to be prepared for it because the truck has 160,000 miles on it so I'm kind of expecting them to be grooved.
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RE: Axle seals...worn axle shaft???
I've seen minor grooves but never bad enough to cause leaking. A good tip to prevent future leaks is...
If you can see a shiny ring on the axle where the seal rides use some fine emery/crocus cloth or a scotch pad to scuff up the sealing surface. if it's too smooth the new seal can't "bite" properly and may leak prematurely. also always lube the lip of the seal with some of the lube it is sealing with. Installing the seal dry can cause it to wear and overheat until some oil/lube splashes on it, one again causing premature failure.
If you can see a shiny ring on the axle where the seal rides use some fine emery/crocus cloth or a scotch pad to scuff up the sealing surface. if it's too smooth the new seal can't "bite" properly and may leak prematurely. also always lube the lip of the seal with some of the lube it is sealing with. Installing the seal dry can cause it to wear and overheat until some oil/lube splashes on it, one again causing premature failure.