8 3/4 inner grease seal installation

[Dana67Dart]

Hi all,
When installing the inner grease seals in the axel tube ends of an 8 3/4, does the axle tube ends have a positive stop for the seal or does the seal get installed with a tool that sets it square and at the correct depth?

If there is a tool anyone know the part number / where it can be had?

I was looking at the surfaces inside my housing and didn't see a positive stop except way in, which seemed too far in. This is my first 8 3/4 (many ford 9inch) so I figured, ask the professionals!

 

[Alaskan_TA]

The factory service manuals have Miller Tool part numbers for the seal installers & removers.

 

[Bad Sport]

Do you have the center section out? IF you do, just use a stick with a flat end (I used a piece of 1/2 inch conduit) slide it in one end over to the opposite seal and knock it out, reverse process for other side.

IIRC there is a stop it seems like it was in there a couple inches or so, don't remember for sure it's been a while.

NOTE: When installing the new seal, pack the back side with grease so you don't pop the spring off when tunking it in.

Careful putting the axles back in, the splines can nick the seal and cause it to leak. Again, if you have the pig out you can put some newspaper over the splines and some painters tape around the axle to hold it on. Push the axle in far enough to get the paper off and pull it back just enough to get the center in, that way the axles aren't applying upward pressure on the seals while it's hanging.

 

[john-9]

there is a stop and the seal goes in to the stop -- about 1-11/16 inch from seal face to face of backing plate -- if not seated deep enough it will not allow the axle to be fully seated into the housing or the axle bearing lock collar will rub against the seal and destroy it.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I'm starting to think the inside of my housing ends have been boogered at some point.
What I would assume would be a sharp machined edge is kind of a chamfer. And the area that I would assume would be the same sharp machined edge where the bearing might bottom to (ford 9" style) .

I can see where the oem taper bearing would not need or use an inner stop.


What do you all think?

Bring to machine shop and have the seal stop area machined flat and have a insert made to bring it back to stock?

 

[72Dart6pack]

I made a tool to seat the grease seal. That way you know it's in flush & straight.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I made a tool to seat the grease seal

Want to rent it out?

 

[72Dart6pack]

I'm in Roseville Mich. If your close? Sure

 

[Dana67Dart]

It would be a bit of a drive from Colorado. How about posting the dimension. I could figure it out but, if you have a proven tool...

Also does the inside of my end look OE or boogered?

 

[72Dart6pack]

Let me find the tool today and measure it. No your inner seal area looks fine. You only care about seal depth. And the outer metal ring bottoms out where the taper starts. Your fine. Don't panic.

 

[Dana67Dart]

And the outer metal ring bottoms out where the taper starts

Are you saying the seal bottoms on the first taper or the deeper one.

Wish I had crosssection photos!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Let me find the tool today and measure it.

Thank you

 

[72Dart6pack]

Measure your axle see where the seal area is. Measure your axle housing. I believe it's the deeper one. I'll get my tool tonight and double check.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I did that and it looks like the seal would be about 2 inches in give or take. The innermost step is not much of a step, that's why I was concerned that the seal would not seat in the correct location if I put it in till it hit the stop

 

[toolmanmike]

I did that and it looks like the seal eod be about 2 inches in give or take. The inner most step is not much of a step, that's why I was concerned that the seal would not seat in the correct location if I put it in till it hit the stop

You should be good.

 

[Dana67Dart]

here is a cross section

a blowup of the seal stop ( the lip of the stop is maybe 0.005 to 0.010" doesn't seem enough to stop the seal from moving back in the housing especially if the seal has a chamfered edge.)

Maybe I'm missing something, I'm just used to having a positive stop for seals

I am sure I'm worrying over nothing but before I go to a bunch of trouble getting the housing prepared I just want to be sure.

Thanks all for indulging my OCD tendencies!

 

[john-9]

I did that and it looks like the seal would be about 2 inches in give or take. The innermost step is not much of a step, that's why I was concerned that the seal would not seat in the correct location if I put it in till it hit the stop

read post #4 again -- for seal depth.