CV Axle Question.....

[ADoherty001]

Ok guys, so the outer boot on my pass side cv axle tore after lifting so I replaced the axle with a reman from Toyota. After I changed it out I took it for a test drive and then checked it afterwards. Gear oil coated the underside of my truck so I started searching online what could have happened as this was my first cv swap ever. Turns out when I popped the cv out the first time I tore the rubber part of the seal that sits right there where the cv enters the diff. So I replaced the seal and all was good... no leaks.....until now. Its been about 1000 miles and now it is starting to leak again. Its a slow leak maybe a dozen drops a night. Any suggestions of what could have happened and why its starting to leak again?? I was VERY careful putting the new cv in with the new seal so I wouldn't tear it again. There seems to be a little more play in the axle where it enters the diff on the pass side than the driver side. Please help?:thanks:

 

[ADoherty001]

Bump for help!

 

[BigRogers]

That is a tough one. Pictures may help this one.....post some up, it may help draw some suggestions.

 

[thebrandon]

What kind of seal did you use? I have only had good luck with OEM Toyota axle seals. Timkin or whatever has been nothing but trouble for me.

 

[Richard808]

Is it possible you bent the seal installing it? Or maybe it was bent to begin with. There fairly easy to bend if its not centered good while driving it in.A slight bend in the metal part of the seal could cause the seal to be slightly out of round. I would take the cv out and check. Probably just put a new seal in again while you have it out. Also lube the seal before installing the axle.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I have changed out CV axles twice (one on a Corolla and another on my 98 4Runner) with rebuilt axles and both had a small, barely visible groove worn into the axle by the seal, which let oil leak out. I thought it was a bad seal (both times) until I noticed the groove. I had to get another rebuilt one to replace it (both times). I made sure the new one I got had no groove in it.

 

[ADoherty001]

Thanks for the replies! I used an OEM seal from the dealer. I'm going to see how much, if any, (probably the latter) oil leaks by tomorrow morning. I'm probably going to end up taking it apart this weekend and inspect it. I ordered yet another seal from the dealer so I will have that handy if I jack up the seal by trying to adjust it. Im pretty sure I seated it about 1/4" inside the diff opening (sorry for the lack of term). I've been looking into it and i'm finding that it is crucial how far you tap it in yet I can't find a definite answer on how far that is. Maybe ill try just seating it flush with the opening...

 

[ADoherty001]

I'll have to look and see if the axle has this groove you speak of.

 

[blonde1boarder]

You could have potentially installed the seal too far. The passenger side diff seal doesn't have a lip to stop it from going in to far. I think it is possible that when you install the cv axle you can push the seal in further and then it doesn't seal well. I had that issue when I installed some reman-ed cv axles.