Cv Axle Seal Leak and Wheeling

d0nkeyxpunch

d0nkeyxpunch

New member
My passenger side CV axle seal was leaking so I replaced it with brand new OEM seal. Drove around for few hundred miles with no issues and zero leaks. I went wheeling this past weekend and now I see that there's a slight leak on the passenger side halfshaft cv axle seal. It's a slow leak.

My questions are:

1) I don't get how wheeling can cause cv axle seal to leak? Is it because my CV axle was pushed around the obstacles?
2) Do I need to buy a new seal again or can I just tap the old one around in case it got pulled out a little?

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check if your breather is plugged. Wheeling might have heated things more than usual, but I would not put money on that.

How do you know there is a leak? You removed the ABS sensor?
 
diverscale said:
check if your breather is plugged. Wheeling might have heated things more than usual, but I would not put money on that.

How do you know there is a leak? You removed the ABS sensor?
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I believe he's speaking of the front seal.

OP I've read of a few people having problems getting that seal right. I believe it had something to do with the depth the seal was driven in. Seals can be tricky and very temperamental.
 
JRZEE2000TR4LTD said:
I believe he's speaking of the front seal.

OP I've read of a few people having problems getting that seal right. I believe it had something to do with the depth the seal was driven in. Seals can be tricky and very temperamental.
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John hit the nail on the head with the comment above. I've done this job on another members rig and you have to be careful how far you drive the seal in. The front differential doesn't have convenient stops on each end allowing you to just drive the seal in until it bottoms out and you're good to go. You're only suppose to drive in the seals in 5.5 mm from the ends of the differential.

Watch this video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this job and hopefully it helps you out:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh1BK5--KrU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Oneluv13T4R said:
Lol ..jeep friends and big bear. How was it, how did you do?
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I did pretty good. Completed the trail (Holcomb not Dishpan) with just scrapes to the stock skid plates. No body damage like people warned me about. :D Alot had to do with careful tire placement, stacking rocks, and having a good spotter. I did realize not having lockers made it little tougher. :sick:
 
mtbtim said:
John hit the nail on the head with the comment above. I've done this job on another members rig and you have to be careful how far you drive the seal in. The front differential doesn't have convenient stops on each end allowing you to just drive the seal in until it bottoms out and you're good to go. You're only suppose to drive in the seals in 5.5 mm from the ends of the differential.
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I know that the seals don't have a stop and you need to drive it in certain amount. I did watch that video and read up on threads. Lol I made sure the seal was exactly same depth as my original ones were before. Again, there were no leaks at all after I replaced the seal. Drove it around and never had leaks.
 
d0nkeyxpunch said:
I know that the seals don't have a stop and you need to drive it in certain amount. I did watch that video and read up on threads. Lol I made sure the seal was exactly same depth as my original ones were before. Again, there were no leaks at all after I replaced the seal. Drove it around and never had leaks.
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Since you drove in the seal the correct depth, I think there's a chance you have a worn output shaft bearing allowing for excessive movement causing extra strain on the seal. I doubt the seal moved from where you knocked it in. If it's not a bad leak, you could just check your front diff level on a more regular basis. However, the next time you go 4wheeling with more severe articulation of the CV axle, more damage might occur to the seal and then your small leak might become a big leak.
 
The CV axles have loads of grease in them, and occasionally burp this grease out, especially in technical offroad situations. Mine did it when I put new ones in. Made me panic a bit until I figured out what it was. It may be this grease your seeing, and not leakage from the axle seal.
 
mtbtim said:
Since you drove in the seal the correct depth, I think there's a chance you have a worn output shaft bearing allowing for excessive movement causing extra strain on the seal. I doubt the seal moved from where you knocked it in. If it's not a bad leak, you could just check your front diff level on a more regular basis. However, the next time you go 4wheeling with more severe articulation of the CV axle, more damage might occur to the seal and then your small leak might become a big leak.
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Yeah its not too bad for now. I guess I will need to get new seals then?

Andy in Pa said:
The CV axles have loads of grease in them, and occasionally burp this grease out, especially in technical offroad situations. Mine did it when I put new ones in. Made me panic a bit until I figured out what it was. It may be this grease your seeing, and not leakage from the axle seal.
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For sure its not grease. It is definitely gear oil. I posted a new pic.
 
mtbtim said:
I'd wipe off the area and check it on a daily basis. If it leaking enough everyday to wet the area and drip down, I'd probably replace the seal again.
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Since this past Sunday, there weren't any drips on the ground. I would wipe it down, drive it around, and then see that same amount as pictured just dangling. I don't see any drip marks on the ground in the morning which leads me to believe that it is a slow leak. So far I have seen it every day. Ugh I guess I will need to replace that seal again... :mad::yell:
 
If you are determined to do seal again you can set it flush with case end or 1mm inward..that way it will ride on new surface of CV stub shaft.
With shaft out check for knicks and surface the seal will ride on..pack seal with grease so spring wont move on replacing .

Check axle play if it is a reman. fit and surface may not be great.
 
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