okay I'm in the middle of changing my axle seals out on the 96 cause dirt(and mud and water) got in there, got water in it playing in the mud and now the axle seals are shot.

is there anything anyone has done to make their own 'dust boot' to help keep some of the dirt from getting in there? I really liked that I had to pull the carrier out for the driver side seal. I have the axle taken apart right now so it would be an opportune time to fix it if there's anything you guys know of that I can do???

thanks

 

This guy has a how-to repair it, even talks about the problem but had no solution for it.

 

I had my axle seals replaced 4000 miles ago. I decided not to do it myself as time was not on my side.

Last weekend, washing the truck, I noticed the drivers side was leaking again.
Took it back to the shop Tuesday and they replaced the leaking seal under warranty.

The mechanic noticed that the seal part number was the same, but the design had changed.
Im hoping I get more than 4000 miles off this seal.

Rich.

 

Well I guess it is better for it to go at 4k than say 13k when you'd have to pay them again....

 

I had 110K on mine,it only started to leak after I pulled the axle shafts!!

 

If you don't offroad I'm sure they'll last a while, it is those who tend to get stuff dirty that have the problem the worst.

 

I take my little boy out in the mud and slop pretty regularly??

 

The first leak was caused noticed immediately after doing some wheeling. In the 4000 miles since the seals were replaced, the truck has not been off road.

Rich

 

Ok I reworded it to be a little better.

I bet you had a few miles on the stock seals though DD, the guy who installed the other set probably didn't clean the area up enough and ended up ruining the new seals.

 

Yes, as far as I know, they were original seals the first time. If that is true, then they had 109,000 on them.

Rich.

 

Most of the leaking front seals I run across are caused by an overfilled differential. Dana says, 3/4" below the bottom of the fill hole but most people think the bottom of the hole is fine.
It isn't.
Most stop leaking once the correct level is reached.

 

Wow I just thought that was Amercian Axle (3Gs) that said that, I didn't know Dana did too.