Front CV axle & seal - Help?

[rideexileex]

All!

I'm having issues with the driver's side axle. I replaced a broken axle out in the field and wish I would have taken a better mental picture. After just getting the front diff replaced, does this look right? The passenger side sits much deeper, with the dust cover just sitting inside the lip of the diff. Would anyone mind posting photos of how deep their own axle sits? It was leaking diff fluid even when just parked.

I've already ripped out the axle seal and replaced it with a brand new one, with the outer part of the seal sitting flush with the lip of the diff. It seems to sit just as deep as before. The dust cover is fully seated on the CV.

Three different angles:

 

[Stockwell45]

They are supposed to stick out a bit like that. If there is no gap at all, then the CV is seated too far into the diff.

 

[rideexileex]

Does your dust cover stick outside of the flange of the diff though?

 

[JWaldz]

It looks pretty normal to me.. I can't begin to tell you how many "in the field" cv axle changes I've had to do (mainly bc I don't remember them all lol) but when putting them in I hammer the hell out of it till it goes in all the way. When it gives me the solid clunk I know it can't go any farther. Never have had a single one leak.

 

[rideexileex]

Yeah I'm lost on the hammering part... Hopefully that's enough. I've been using a 4.5 pound hammer with some flat stock and haven't gotten it any further. I don't see how it would still leak.

 

[Stockwell45]

You'll know when it's in all the way. After you whack it in, tug on the CV a bit. If it's not pulling out when you tug on it, then your good to go.

 

[rideexileex]

Yeah, thats the thing... I know the snap ring is setting, as I have to pry the CV each time to get it back out. It's got a bit of a wiggle, but that seems fine. I just dont understand how the diff is still leaking... :frusty:

 

[LittleCaesar]

Yeah, thats the thing... I know the snap ring is setting, as I have to pry the CV each time to get it back out. It's got a bit of a wiggle, but that seems fine. I just dont understand how the diff is still leaking... :frusty:

The seal inside the diff is the root cause for the leak. It needs to be replaced.

I think J$$money even provided the part # in another thread. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[rideexileex]

Ooo thank you ^ but I just put in a new toyota seal last night! I just don't get how it was leaking in the first place, but I'm starting to wonder if it was something to do with the marlin seal that came with the diff after the rebuild?? I'm anxious to get back in the garage after work

 

[Stockwell45]

If it makes you feel any better, probably wont but after I replaced both front axle seals my driver side still leaked pretty bad. It took about 1000 miles for the leaking to stop. I topped off the diff again, and haven't had a leak since. Almost as if the new seal swelled to stop the leak.

 

[rideexileex]

Hmmm, well as a small update... It seems like the Toyota OEM axle seal is holding up after a few drives. Maybe I just had a defective marlin crawler seal or it was installed improperly? So... moral of the story - replace those seals. Interesting now, that I have OEM on the drivers side and MC on the passenger side. I'll wait and see how the further testing goes.

 

[Stockwell45]

Thanks for keeping us posted, I'm interested to see how everything holds up as well.

So no signs of leaks at all on the passenger MC seal?

 

[Gerdo]

Did you get this figured out?

 

[jkeustace]

Driver Side Diff Leaking

I have replaced the drive axle and the seal twice and cannot get it to stop leaking, any ideas? I have the Toytec 3" spacer lift in the front as well as the diff drop kit which i recently installed, hoping it would help. Please let me know if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks,
James

 

[rideexileex]

What brand of seal are you using? I just changed and topped off my gear oil and am waiting to see if my leaks are gone, but so far so good!

 

[rideexileex]

Update: passenger cv marlin seal leaking :/