A front cv axle leaky seal critique please?

I put a new one in last year & replaced the hoses to the x bracket, so there is a 3in or so piece on the other end of the bracket that goes to the dif. that I did not do. Same with the actuator.
I will double check the breathers. Just because they’re new Doesn’t mean they’re ok….

 

The dif & actuator breathers are ok. & I can blow air through the dif hose. & of course the axle is removed, so the air flow is unimpeded.
I was reading up on the actuator & it would make sense that air would not flow through that hose in the same manner. Am I correct?
Not sure this would affect the seal anyway….

 

The actuator vent would not cause issues.

I’ve done the seals on a 2nd Gen.
But can’t remember if I have on a 1st Gen.

The 2nd Gen truck, you seat the seal flush or just past flush with the inside lip of the differential. But again, the 1st Gen maybe different.

I see 5.5mm mentioned above.
Is that from the outer it lip or inner lip?

Here is a picture of mine.
You can see the 2 lips better in this picture.

 

did you put the seal on the axle...while it was out just to see if it was right?

 

In double checking my seating, I think it may not be in deep enough. I used my caliper tool though. It’s a cheapo type, but as long as I make sure it’s squared to the outer lip, it seems to do the trick. Measuring from 1st to 2nd lip for instance comes in pretty much at 5.5.

I should have checked them before posting. Then my thread title would have been, “I know I got closer than 4mm, so what gives?”
I’m in no way claiming I could not have made a mistake, however that being my 3rd? attempt, I was so freakin’ anal about it. I aimed it up to be even with the lip & then drove it a hair farther, measuring the whole way….

Now, other question is, should I pull the old seal or try driving it in farther? In other words, would it have taken any abuse being driven around that way?

 

I don't think they take any abuse being driven, they're more likely to take too much abuse when being installed if not done carefully. I do know if you plan on pulling it out, be very careful because its easy to tear the seal or mess up that spring on it. If you think it needs to just be tapped in a bit more, I would try that without pulling it out first

 

If your seal drives into the 2nd lip, then it’s the same-ish setup. It’s 5.5 from 1st to 2nd, so the seal goes in roughly flush with the 2nd.

 

I have a new one. messing up the installed one upon extraction was expected.
Just wish (as many/most others do I am sure) that there was a way to know it was all good prior to reassembly. & yes, there’s a tool to the tune of many dollars. Maybe if I hadn’t just had to sink many, many, many dollars into the exhaust, I’d consider it….

 

yeah I got frustrated and bought the tool, but then it took too long to arrive so I went ahead and attempted my seal a 3rd time and actually managed to get it right (at least for about a year lol). So I've got the tool handy for this next time I do it. Its frustrating how easy a job it seems to be but the thing still leaks even when you feel you've done it right.

 

The ECGS install tool seats it nicely.

Spoiler

It’s a fancy tool that seats it flush

 

This is the Wits End one....looks like it went up in price even more from last year (no surprise)

https://absolute-wits-end.com/toyota-4wd-ifs-output-shaft-seal-driver/

 

That’s basically what mine looks like.
But I also have the adapter that goes on it to install the bushing. I paid the extra for the seal tool since you get a small discount if you buy them together.

I’ve used mine for other things. Like the spindle seals on a kubota tractor.

 

I used a PVC pipe to install my seal. I got a 2nd Gen so the size may be different.

 

This image is off the Wits End photo gallery of their product, shows the seal correctly seated after using it....doesn't look much different from what I can tell vs the pictures in the first post here. How badly is it leaking post install? I think a little bit of gear oil that got past the seal before the axle went back in is normal, but of course if it's dripping well beyond that then it's not set right.

 

Definitely a constant drip

 

That looks deeper than mine. In fact it looks deeper than the 2nd lip which comes in at 5.5 with my cheapo caliper.

 

Might have to nudge it in a little further then, that could well be the reason for the leak. I would imagine even a little too far in is better than not far enough.

 

Really? Just so happens I have one being I am the ecgs loaner tool person. Only had a few takers a couple of years ago though.

 

That’s how mine looks.
Just flush with the inner lip.
The very edge of the seal is beveled.
So it looks set in a bit further. But the face of the seal is flush.

 

Do you have the removal tool or install tool?