02 Axle Seal leak...

Question for you all regarding my 02. Recently, my front left axle seal started leaking. I replaced the seal - everything went in nicely, but just after it continued to leak. Unfortunately, when I was installing it, I noticed the axle was actually loose in the differential. You can feel play in it even when everything is back together. My level of mechanical skills won't lead me well into that repair, but I wanted to see if anyone might suspect how big of an issue this may be. I noticed a very small amount of "shimmer" to the diff fluid, but no shavings, etc. The axle seal of course doesn't make a great seal with this play. I check the other side and noticed a very small amount of play there as well. In the pics, the screwdriver is pointing to where I can get movement.

I do have a front ARB air locker that has worked with no problems. Actually, I just activate it from time to time, but have never needed it in actual use. PO installed it, and it was done very well. The truck is re-geared.

Anyway, this was the last small repair before I sell this truck. It has been great to me, so I wanted to have it mechanically A-1 before selling. I'm worried now that this could be a bigger issue.

Thanks for any consideration to your thoughts...

 

Sorry, those pics showed up odd with my camera angle. The first pic is the left side and looks backwards in the pic. The second is the right side.

Cheap plug with the pics of the exterior since this one will be for sale soon ...

 

Yep, replying to my own post... After doing some research, I think this could be the needle bearing needing the ECGS bushing replacement. It does knock when going over bumps, so I'm assuming thats a worn needle bearing since these weren't designed to have side pressure, but with the lift wear over time. This could be really good news for me if that's the case - I was thinking it could be worse. Anyone done this repair? It looks like something I might be up to. Thanks.

 

The axle isn't fully seated in the diff. Get a bar and tap it in further, it should seat about another 1/4" inwards and stop leaking.