Rear Axle Seal

[slosteve]

The first time that I had the right rear axle seal fail was in '08. When I pulled the axles, I found wear on them so I bought new Moser axles, bearings & seals. That seal lasted less than 5000 miles so I replaced it again, making sure that I got it installed flush with the end of the axle tube as I thought that must have been the cause of the failure. Now that seal is also leaking!
I did a search and found a couple of good suggestions; make sure that the vent is not plugged (although it is only one seal that is the problem) and buy a genuine Chev seal from a dealer, which is my next step.
Any body else had this situation?

[mwilliams5891]

just a quick question is it had to change the seals? a brake place wanted about 150 to do mine.

sorry not trying to steal the thread

[Tmend]

Might be rare but since u did find wear on the axles and the seal keeps leaking u might have a bent diff tube axle housing. If bent with in time the bearing will wear and then cause play therefor wearing out the seal and causing it to leak.
Posted via Mobile Device

[slosteve]

Originally Posted by mwilliams5891

just a quick question is it had to change the seals? a brake place wanted about 150 to do mine.

Not if you have the tools. Use your search; there's some good threads on doing them.

[mwilliams5891]

Originally Posted by slosteve

Not if you have the tools. Use your search; there's some good threads on doing them.

ok thanks man

[jrdv]

Originally Posted by Tmend

Might be rare but since u did find wear on the axles and the seal keeps leaking u might have a bent diff tube axle housing. If bent with in time the bearing will wear and then cause play therefor wearing out the seal and causing it to leak.
Posted via Mobile Device

I had this happen on my 72 blazer. I ended up buying another rearend from the junkyard. Fixed my leak!

[slosteve]

If I hadn't been driving this truck since it was new, I might be more inclined to suspect it as possibly being bent. The seal that I replaced in '08 was only the second one in 37 years; the first was when I had the ring & pinion changed (for a different ratio) and subsequently all seals replaced.

[leddzepp]

Take a look at my build thread below...I have pics showing the process of changing the axle seals as well as the pinion seal. Very easy job. Hope this helps.

[slosteve]

The Chevy dealer in my area says the factory seal is no longer available. So I went to Napa as the seal they sell is a Chicago Rawhide(?) and appeared to be a good one although made in Mexico.
Installed it and it lasted about 400 miles - I've got a problem.
While I was replacing it I had a friend looking over my shoulder who was a dealer mechanic (mostly GM) most of his working life and neither of us could see an 'obvious' problem. Axle fits snug in the bearing, no wear on axle, etc.,.

[Tx Firefighter]

You seem like you're well aware of how to change the seal so I'd rule out installer error as the cause.

So, that leaves a part issue as the cause.

I think I'd buy yet another seal and a new axle bearing (Timken quality), then while installing them, I'd swap axles left to right. That way if it fails again you can rule out the axle as the cause.