A front cv axle leaky seal critique please?

Snapped a couple of shots of the leaky one before I pull it & try again. Hoping someone can tell me where I went wrong?


Also, are marks on the axle of significance, as in do they point to a particular problem? Or do they simply mean something wasn’t right? Or maybe they just happen….

 

Something is scoring that axle .

Without a seal like that in front of me It is a hard call to make.

You did double check that you indeed did receive the correct seal by the numbers on the seal? Anymore parts get boxed wrong put away in the wrong spot.

Before removing clean as best you can and look for damage .

I am sure you cleaned things before installing !!

My best Guess is something nicked the seal on your install.

What did you use to lube the seal ?? Clean and Fresh ?

I wish I was closer.

 

I had to redo mine at least 3 times, it is very sensitive to the depth its put in at and being at the correct depth all around, otherwise it leaks again.

Some people have luck just letting the axle drive the seal in but that didn't work for me, there's a seal driver tool that Wits End sells that's supposed to drive it in exactly as far as it requires, no more no less.

 

Is there any drawings floating around with the correct placement of the seal.

It would be a simple job to make a driver to install the seal to the correct depth every time.

I make tools like that all the time of course when I need to use that tool it has run off with the 10mm sockets.

 

I can't remember off the top of my head what the depth was, 5.5mm I believe? @Kwikvette

there are some write-ups on here that mention it

 

Yes. You are correct. 5.5mm.

 

Yes sir!

We had that number engraved for the longest

 

also make sure the seal isn't put in backward

 

I could not make that call without a seal in front of me.

It can be very easy to do.

 

Yes it is, that's exactly what happened when we installed @Kwikvette 's seal at my place lol. I had done mine a few times by that point and still didn't catch it.

 

But Kwickvette knows everything .

 

I had done it just before that myself at my old job.

I didn't have the seal driver though.

 

Only when he knows, otherwise he don't know shit

 

Drawings? There are pics with the seal installed correctly if that would help.

I was thinking of a way to try & macgyver-ette something.

I’m guessing the tools aren’t cheap, however seals add up as well.

 

I did clean it up really well. Gave it a final swipe with acetone.

I used a bearing type grease.

 

That grove in the CV might not be helping much.
Can you get your finger nail to catch on the groove?

 

No. I ran a pick tool over it though & it does trip it up pinch. In other words, it’s more than cosmetic.
Not a deep groove though.

 

I mean a drawing showing the dimensions picture would be useless in this case.

 

Have you checked to see if the front diff breather is free and not plugged up?
This can cause the seal to leak.