ECGS Bushing + New Seal = Leaking Diff - HELP?! (NOW WITH SOLUTION)

It's driven in similar to this one, where the outside edge of the seal isn't flush

 

Hard to see, but it looks like the outside rigid flange is flush with the housing, that lip does protrude outside. Don't know why yours is still leaking. I used a 2" PVC pipe adapter that I got at Sears for about $1.50 and drove it in slowly.

 

Fuck, just installed a new clamshell from ECGS with new gears and drivers side is leaking. Looks like I'll be following the same steps.

 

Join the club

 

I am doing mine tomorrow, this is what the leaking one looks like right now. I noticed the one I got (Timken brand) has a little smaller lip than the oem. Now I ordered an oem and I'll get it later today. I got a 2" pvc pipe too but I'll get a seal driver kit this evening because it is always better to work with the right tools. hope everything will be fine!

 

Thats how mine was. I drove the seal in too far, like you. If you use a seal driver youll crush the lip that protrudes from the seal. The 2" PVC pipe will drive it in from its rigid perimeter and not damage the lip. Sometimes the proper tool is the one we make ourselves. Drive it in until the outer rim is flush with the diff housing. Good luck! Mine stopped leaking once I installed the seal correctly.

 

For clarification, the metal (outer) part of the seal should be flush with the tube, correct?

I've done a lot of seals and this is always the case, but I've never done one of these.

 

Thanks that is encouraging! unfortunately the tool set I want is only available online so I won't have it for tomorrow, forget it... I'll use the 2" pipe, but this morning I had my old seal at work and took a look at the 2" pipes we have and the edge of the pipe sits right on the inside of the lip... wich is weird... So now I am wondering if I am talking about the same seal as you... My seal is the one on the passenger side axle, at the diff, obviously... are yours the one that goes to the front drive shaft?

I've also took a look at our 2.5" pipes we have but those pieces are thick and does sit on the lip too.... At home I have a 3" pipe but this one sits too much on the edge of the seal... I honestly don't know what to do right now to avoid damage to my new seal.... I don't want to do it again lol

 

Drive it in so the outer metal part of the seal flush with the housing (see my pics).

 

Mine was the drivers side, because I did the bearing replacement. The passenger side looks a little different, and even if the 3" pipe sits on the outer edge of the seal you should be okay driving it in with that if youre careful. Or even just a flat piece of steel or wood would do, just lay it on the edge and move it around the outer edge of the seal, tapping it a little bit as you go.

 

Driver side



Welp, mine's still leaking. Im hoping I just need to drive the seal in a little further. I fuckin wish ECGS provided some info on seal replacement. Im gettin really goddamn frustrated with this truck. Ive swapped motors in my Volkswagen with less headache than this fuckin seal is causing.

The old, leaking seal -



Driven in flush with the diff housing, leaked everywhere.

Replacement seal, not driven as far -



Still leaking. I drove it in to this point based on all the picture of the seal installed I could find online. The green is grease to keep the spring from popping off.

Here's the axle -





I wonder if the axle is the problem? There is 100k miles of wear on the axle. It isnt scored, and I cant catch a finger nail on any of it. From what Im reading, this is pretty normal wear on these axle. I also slid the seal over the axle and it fits tight.

I feel defeated by this and Im gettin really tired of tearing this stupid truck apart

 

I know what you mean! I hope mine will stop leaking after the replacement tomorrow...

I also thought about the axle, but mine are new/remanufactured... so I wonder if the fit is the same as oem... I am staying positive for tomorrow tho... I reeeeeaaallly hope I won't need to take the front apart again for this seal...

 

Looks like you installed the new seal in backwards.....

 

Don't feel bad....I installed it backwards on my last truck. Flip that sucker around and it should be fine. I personally would install a new seal just in case lol

 

My napa cv leaked and after 4 brand new seals I got a different axle and wala....no leak

 

Well that's not really encouraging... if this one does leak too I'll try my spare oem and if it stops I'll use my 3 years warranty on my new axle to get another one or my money back... hope I won't need to get there tho

 

Just go in and exchange the cv in the store. Mine was smooth and everything looked good....yet leaked every time

 

So does the little round spring face the outside (towards the hub) or the inside (towards the diff)?

Im even more confused and angry now.

 

I would but I have to ship it back... will see how it goes tomorrow

 

The spring is on the inside facing the diff