Leaking rear axle - inner or outer seal??

The Bearing didn't make any noise when the axle shaft was out and also when things were back together. I took it for a short test drive and things seem good, how long do y'all think it'd take if the seal was still leaking for me to start noticing it?

 

depends, if there is a problem it could be so small that you wont notice it for weeks.

 

Mine was doing that for about a week... I got my bearing and my inner seal.

 

It's been a couple weeks and there is still an oil leak, my inner wheel is shiny and is collecting dirt. I took the drum back off and there is oil right on the axle where it enters the back of the drum, so that means the outer seal is bad? Do you think my brake shoes need replacing even though they are brand new? They have a dark streak on their outer edge, I'm assuming it's oil.

 

Pic? and i am thinking inner seal. does the oil smell like gear oil or brake fluid

 

I don't have any new pics, sorry. how easy is it to screw up porting a new inner seal in? I tried to be as careful as possible but it was the first time I did it, could I have deformed it enough to cause it to instantly start leaking again? um wondering I'd the outer sell is bad?

 

If it is your outer seal, your in luck (ish):

 

Any ideas for price if I get this done at a shop? I read the write up and replacing a wheel bearing and outer seal is beyond my ability. The more I read the more sure I am that I installed the inner seal correctly so the only thing left would be the bearing and/or outer seal. It's got 184,000 miles so I'm not surprised the bearing is dead.

 

Well u can check the bearing when u have the whole axle out and u stand it on the hub. C if the shaft wiggles. sometimes a bad bearing can cause it right away. And try n c if the fluid smells bad. If it does not then it can be ur brake drum cylinder.

 

I hate to revive a well resting thread but I wanted to add my experience. My drivers side started leaking a few months ago. The T4R thread lists a DIY price of close to $700. I called my dealer for a quote just to see because they've been reasonable on parts in the past...$590 OTD for the drivers side. I was pleased with this price to say the least. I have never taken a vehicle into a dealer for work before, but this was a no brainer. My price did not include any brake work, but I can do that later.

 

My import specialist shop cost me $1500 to do all new rear brakes, spring kit, 2 new seals, new emergency brake parts, 2 retainer rings, that previous owner pressed on too far and made the new seals leak. 3 trips total and I had the job done and no more gear oil in my brake drums.

 

That really seems like a fair price, all things considered. I think this might be a different conversation if most Joe Schmoe's like me had a press in their garage.