My front pinion seal is leaking. Should I just replace the seal or do you think a vibrating shaft has caused the problem. 50k miles and shaft feels solid when I try to get it to move by hand.

I guess my question really is how long have others seen the front shaft u joints last or what were the mileage numbers when they failed?

 

For some reason, probably a bad batch of seals from manufacturer, the 06's had trouble with that. Mine was replaced at 21k under warranty. 62k on it now, no probs. no vibrating shaft issues ever on the truck.

 

Just weak seals. I've got a 2003 and both ends have been replaced. One end twice. Just keep in mind when dealing with these trucks, that Dodge builds crap. That way you won't get frustrated. "Cummins Good, Dodge Crap...."
That will help you along.

 

My front pinion seal went at around 70K miles, it was seeping before that but I replaced it when it started to leave a drop on the driveway. My rear leaked around 100K replaced that one and I am leak free for now. One thing I learned is don't fill the diffs up to the bottom of the fill hole. They are supposed to only be filled to within 1/4" of the bottom of the hole.

BTW, 143K miles on my front drive shaft and the u-joints are just fine.

 

It's leaking because the seal is no longer keeping the oil in. My front went at 75K, new seal and Dynatrac hubs will prevent future leaks up front. Also, syn oil leaks more. Also, the front and rear diffs are built and assembled by AA (American Axel) not Dodge so throw AA into the crap pile if you like.

 

We chased leaks on mine. Finally figured out that the old seal wears
just enough of a groove in the pinion yoke,'that it had to be replaced. You cold barely feel it but it kept leaking.
You can also get a sleeve for it.

 

OK, I got it apart and there is a good groove in the yoke. However, the yoke has a wear sleeve on it and that is what is grooved. It looks like the wear sleeve will come right of of the yoke if I wanted to get it off. It is dust seal and wear sleeve that is on the yoke.

Does a new seal come in two parts? I ordered the seal, but it is not in yet.

 

You can see from these pictures that the Yoke has a groove in it. It is big enough to catch your fingernail on, so i think that is substantial.

You can also see that the outer sleeve that is grooved is seperate from the inner portion of the yoke. There is rubber between the outer wear ring and the inner portion of the yoke. I have searched, but I see no mention of anyone replacing just the wear ring portion. I would hope that just that portion could be replaced on the yoke without getting the entire assembly.

 

As I understood it, you can get the sleeve for that and put in a new
seal.
I had the yoke portion replaced and I think the part was about $130.

 

The wear ring portion of the yoke cannot be purchased. You have to buy a new yoke and they are between 130 and 140 as mentioned above. My yoke is at a machine shop now where a repair sleeve will be installed tomorrow. We will see how it turns out. I will post a pic when I get it back. If it doesnt look good, then I will get the new yoke.