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Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:59 am
by Atmobil
I need to replace the outer rear axle seals and I managed to find a supplier that has these seals in stock. They are the correct inside and outside diameter but they are not as thick. Check out the pictures.
Can I use these?
Or what seals should I order and from where?
Old seal on the left, new seal on the right
Old seal
New seal
Re: Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:14 am
by wally426ci
I don't have an answer, but can you mark where to press them to and stop short of the inner collar? Or use a spacer?
Re: Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:42 pm
by Atmobil
I have been thinking of a spacer, the difference is only about 3mm so I could see if I can make a sort of washer as a spacer. The question then is whether I should put the spacer on the inside or the outside of the seal?
Re: Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:37 pm
by Hobcobble
The seal pictured on the right side looks like the ones I've installed
in 3 different 8 3/4 axles over the years.
John
Re: Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 4:48 am
by Atmobil
Interesting, and I guess they all worked fine?
Did you do anything special or did you just drive them in?
Re: Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:36 am
by Hobcobble
Atmobil wrote:Interesting, and I guess they all worked fine?
Did you do anything special or did you just drive them in?
No puddles on the garage floor yet....
If you look at the backside of the seal, you'll see a
circular spring around the rubber seal. I applied some
bearing grease to that seal so it wouldn't pop off when
installing [tapping with hammer / wood dowel] it into the axle tube.
I think the FSM describes a MoPar installation tool for
this procedure that probably presses it in. You might
be able to utilize the studs on the axle tube and make
your own basic press....
The last
thing you want to happen is for that spring to pop off
the inside of that seal....
Pressing is probably
better than tapping in this case.... I took my chances
for my installations.
John
Re: Rear axle seal thickness
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:57 pm
by Atmobil
Ok, I will see what I can manage to do. I used a 46mm socket to drive out the old seals from the back. I was thinking of using that to drive the new ones back in aswell but maybe that is not so smart.