Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetboy
Probably depends on how it fails. If the break is under throttle (like in mud or ??) I think you might take out the seal as the shaft flops around. I always replace the seal in the solid axles when a shaft goes. My experience is that it almost always ruins the seal in that case. You're probably right that in most cases it wouldn't cause an issue and it won't leak much if it does. I've had one side seal go bad on my 5th gen, but I can't identify a cause. Not related to an axle break.
I had just assumed the seals were the same on both sides. I'm surprised they're not. The parts info says left or right, but there's a different part number for each side, so obviously the seals are not interchangeable. The shafts are, so the ID of the seal should be the same. Must have a different OD for the housing on each side. I learned something new!
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You'd have to destroy the inner cup/stub shaft before a flopping axle would damage the seal. The inner stays seated in the differential regardless of where the break occurs (unless you snap it at the inner stub shaft, at which point you're screwed anyway) and protects the seal from damage. 9/10 times you're going to destroy the outer cage before the stub shaft or cup fail. Only damage is likely to happen on the R&R. I'm not saying carrying extra seals is a bad thing, I'm just saying you're unlikely to ever actually need to use them. Especially if you're not locked in the front.
