D70U hub/axle seal woes - part deux

[Hurley]

referencing this thread:
D70U axle seal replacement - cant find part number - Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together

I had a gear-oil leak last october from my driver side hub - nothing large - just a slight 'run' on the wheel when i would park the truck for the evening after a drive. So, I replaced the seal and re-packed the bearings. I still have had a small film of gear oil remain on my drum & wheel at all times since the swap.

Now that I am in the process of switching to rear disc brakes I had the drum removed recently and noticed that there is a quarter-sized glob of grease that has migrated outside the hub and into the area of the brake parts.....

What gives? I verified that the hub OD was clean & free from burrs before installation, and the seal appeared to be installed/seated properly....thoughts?

 

[sledshaker]

Well first thing is the bearings don't have to be packed with grease, they are lubed by the diff oil. I'm guilty of doing it to. The next thing i would check is if the seal wore a groove into the spindle allowing oil and grease to seep out. Thats what happened to my 97.

 

[Hurley]

Well first thing is the bearings don't have to be packed with grease, they are lubed by the diff oil. I'm guilty of doing it to. The next thing i would check is if the seal wore a groove into the spindle allowing oil and grease to seep out. Thats what happened to my 97.

Thanks for the input-

seems like my service manual said to pack the bearings... but I've always wondered what the scoop was with the gear oil getting in that area regardless.

 

[kalder]

Its not a bad idea to pack them in grease, that way you know they are lubed good.

Make sure you get the seal in square. Check for any grooves, like said above. I have, on messed up hubs, wiped a film of RTV on the outer sealing surface of the seal. Helps push the seal in too.

 

[Tate]

Check the vent line for the axle. I lost a pinion seal and a couple wheel seals due to that. If there is a groove in the seal surface of the spindle, CR makes a speedi-sleeve that can be used. I had to trim it down a bit, it was a bit long, but the right diameter. I used a piece of 3" diameter PVC as the installation tool. Also doubles as a rear seal installation tool on a 2wd NV4500.

 

[Hurley]

Never thought about the vent - had to relocate it & the brake lines when i did the back-half.

 

[seriousdiesel]

Happen to have a Pn for the speedi sleeve? Parts store said they couldnt find a number for me the other day. I need them for an 80.

 

[Tate]

Negative on the P/N, this was 6 or 7 years ago I did that on my dually. Measure the seal surface, then go on Chicago-Rawhide's site, should be able to find something that will work.