CV Axle Drips drips drips....

[krmccour]

Does anyone know the proper distance to insert the CV axle seal into the diff?

I replaced my cv axles last year, and one axle wouldn't go in as far as the other (the CV axle dirt/dust shield was a couple mm away from the differential and didn't fit flush), and dripped. So I pulled it out and re-seated it. Still dripped. I pulled it out again and replaced the seal, and the dust/dirt shield still sits a couple mm away from the differential and it still drips. Am I wrong in thinking that the dust/dirt shield should be flush with the diff? I've replaced the other side without any issues, and the dirt shield fits flush with the diff on that side.

Note: when I replaced the seal, the guy helping me insisted on pushing the seal in further than it was previously (I argued against it, but gave in to his years of experience). Could it be that the seal is too far in and isn't fit snug against the CV axle? If this is the case, would it be better to insert the seal conservatively (not far in) and let the CV axle push it in to the proper distance? Thanks for the help!

 

[NateMob]

Which side is leaking? The Driverside has a stop behind it so it cant be installed too deep, the passenger side can be a real PITA because there isn't a fail proof way to get the depth just right. That dust shield you are talking about will not be flush with the diff nor do you want it to be. An 1/8" gap or so should be what you want on both sides. They dont hold fluid back in any way, they are just to keep dirt and sand from flying up into where the seal is.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Does anyone know the proper distance to insert the CV axle seal into the diff?

I replaced my cv axles last year, and one axle wouldn't go in as far as the other (the CV axle dirt/dust shield was a couple mm away from the differential and didn't fit flush), and dripped. So I pulled it out and re-seated it. Still dripped. I pulled it out again and replaced the seal, and the dust/dirt shield still sits a couple mm away from the differential and it still drips. Am I wrong in thinking that the dust/dirt shield should be flush with the diff? I've replaced the other side without any issues, and the dirt shield fits flush with the diff on that side.

Note: when I replaced the seal, the guy helping me insisted on pushing the seal in further than it was previously (I argued against it, but gave in to his years of experience). Could it be that the seal is too far in and isn't fit snug against the CV axle? If this is the case, would it be better to insert the seal conservatively (not far in) and let the CV axle push it in to the proper distance? Thanks for the help!

When I did mine, I actually had to back my seal out a bit so it was NOT flush with the opening. When it was flush, it wasn't sealing properly was was leaking a bit. It was like the CV wouldn't go in far enough. So I actually backed my seal out about 1/8th inch. If yours is in past the opening I can guarantee this is your problem.

If you install yours and it's still leaking, you can always put grease on the inside of the seal, insert your CV, the remove the CV and see how far the grease line is on the shaft. This will give you an idea of how well it will seal. Then you can adjust the seal in and out according to the grease line. Mine has been leak free for about 18 months now after doing this.