rear axle seals

Do rear axle seals need to be replaced if there not leaking. They are original but never had any oil spots on the ground or around the tire area. Mechanic said the drum brakes were covered in oil and brake dust. Just curious if I needed to job on replacing voth of them. Thanks

 

There’s an inner seal, a sealed ball bearing with wheel bearing grease in it and an outer seal. If axle gear oil has made it past the inner seal, through the bearing, and past the outer seal, the gear oil has washed the grease out of the bearing. If you only replace the inner seals, the wheel bearing will fail at some point in the future.

Check your rear axle vent to see if it’s plugged. Now would be a good time to do the extended breather mod.

 

ok thanks, I will have to pull everything off and look for myself.

 

If the drums were covered check the shoes to make sure it didn’t contaminate anything

 

It’s no fun.
Mine leaked, covered the bakes shoes and fender liners.
You have to pull the axle out. Which involves taking the whole drum brake assembly off.
The Parking Brake Cable has to be taken loose also, there wasn’t enough slack to pull the axle.
Disconnect the brake line from the rear of the drum, it goes into the wheel cylinder.
Cap off the brake line quick to avoid loosing all the brake fluid.

I hope I never have to do that again.

On a plus note, I did not replace the wheel bearing, and I’ve gone just over 55k since.
Maybe I got lucky? But I do know, I have no interest in replacing the rear bearings myself, should they ever fail. I’ll pay someone first. Lol

 

Yeah shop wanted $1000 to replace the seals and rear brakes. I can do it myself for cost of the seals and new drum brakes, but finding the time is tuff right now.

 

I know the feeling. At least you have the ability to do it.
Some people would be stuck paying a big bill.
The parts aren’t expensive, it’s the labor.

Don’t for get to get some Diff fluid and go ahead and change it.