8-3/4 axle seals?

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swingingdart

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So i took my dart out for a spin. After parking it I kept smelling what i thought to be gear lube. I looked under the car and nothing was dripping. Came home and after it being parked for s few days gear lube had leaked out of the drums and down the inside of the tires.
Is the seal that needs replaced on the outside? Where I just pull the axles and install the seal and stab them back? Google is showing me an "inside seal" I really don't want to pull out the pumpkin if I can help it... Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
 
Yes, you need to replace the inner seals. You do not need to pull the center, just the axles.
There is also an outer seal but its typically not serviced since you have to remove the bearings from the axles to do so. The outer just keeps dirt out of the bearings. Its the inners that hold the gear oil in.
 
Yes, you need to replace the inner seals. You do not need to pull the center, just the axles.
There is also an outer seal but its typically not serviced since you have to remove the bearings from the axles to do so. The outer just keeps dirt out of the bearings. Its the inners that hold the gear oil in.
Oh, okay. So the inner seals are after the bearings. Okay, I'm not sure I ever pulled the bearings. I dont notice any noise from the bearings, would it be a good idea to replace these 40 year old bearings while I have it apart? Or just run them till I have problems?
 
The inner seal is pressed into the axle housing. The outer seals are in the axle retainer plate and cannot be removed unless the bearing is removed from the axle.
If the bearings are not having any issues I would not change them. You should grease them while they are out. I used a needle adapter for the grease gun.
 
Agreed. Install new quality seals on both sides. Put a little grease like Lithium on the seals lips to prevent scuffing when you reinstall the axles. Clean and lube the tapered bearings while the axles are out. When you clean them, inspect for pits, metal flakes and discoloration of the races. If all checks out, grease the with a high quality grease and enjoy many more thousands of miles. Make sure that if any of the differential grease has soaked into the brake linings. If so just replace the lining on both sides. This info is in your FSM. If you don't have one, here is a link for free FSM downloads.:
MyMopar - Mopar Forums & Information - Service Manuals
 
The inner seal is pressed into the axle housing. The outer seals are in the axle retainer plate and cannot be removed unless the bearing is removed from the axle.
If the bearings are not having any issues I would not change them. You should grease them while they are out. I used a needle adapter for the grease gun.
Got the axle pulled, looks like the gear lube pushed out the grease from the bearings. I'm still not too worried about them since they had gear lube for what little time I ran it.
Of course oriellys gave me the wrong seals, so I get to make a trip back into town. Also, when I got the drum off I noticed the axle can move in and out more than I would think I acceptable, (1/8-1/4) is there a way to tighten this up?
Thanks!
 
Outer seals were always my issue. Do not overlook them!
 
Spend your money wisely and replace the bearings, inner and outer seals. Do it once and be happy! Go green if you like!
 
Thanks for all the advice!
I think my last comment might have gotten lost, but I was wondering if there is a standard amount of movement that's allowed on these axle shafts? Bolted down I can pull my axle shaft in and out about 1/8-1/4ish. Is that too much? Thank you!
 
Yes!

look down the tube and see if you are missing the thrust block!
That is a sure failure with that much play!
 
Go Green and no worries!
 
Original style tapered bearings require the thrust block to set end play. Green bearings do not!
 
Wait a minute, if this is an old stock 8 3/4, the end play for the axles is adj. on the Rt. axle. Unless it has the conversion.
 
Wait a minute, if this is an old stock 8 3/4, the end play for the axles is adj. on the Rt. axle. Unless it has the conversion.[/QUOTE

Agree! I assumed we are past the part! My bad!
 
Never mind, I thought you were the OP!


But yes you are correct. 1/8 to 1/4 Inch is very bad and likely a missing block!
 
Is it a sure grip or open differential? Open does not have a thrust block.
 
Wait a minute, if this is an old stock 8 3/4, the end play for the axles is adj. on the Rt. axle. Unless it has the conversion.
is this the adjuster?
20200808_185243.jpg
 
I would look at the bearings on both axles first. If they are good, do what ever you were going to do with the seals.
As far as the adj. goes-- there is a locking finger on that adjuster, remove it and turn the adj. ring clockwise to tighten up your end play. Someone help me here if I am going in the wrong direction, it's been awhile, my car has the conversion. Anyway, adj. until you have just a little end play, it's a feel thing.
 
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