So, I pulled my transmission tonight to install my new Southbend clutch, amongst other things. When I went to remove the passenger side axle, I noticed that there is oil leaking out of the seal. Not pissing out everywhere, its just enough to lightly coat the boot on the cv, and a little around the case, and I still got at least 2 quarts out of it when I drained my gear oil.
Upon removing the axle and inspecting where the lip of the seal rides on the polished surface, there are no scratches whatsoever, it is absolutely clean, other than a nice thin ring of rubber around the entire thing.
This is not an OE axle, it is an after market piece that I bought brand new when I was putting the car together before I did my research to find that there are strength issues with parts store axles on these cars.
Other than the seal leaking, the thing fits great into the hub, and the ring locks into the dif perfectly and its definitely in there in the correct position.
Im also very careful not to hit the seal with the splines on the way in.
So, judging by what Ive described, is the journal slightly too big for the seal perhaps, which caused the ring of rubber to form on the thing and cause it to leak slowly? Ive got an OE driver and passenger side stub that I use to plug transmissions when I store them, guess I will measure them tomorrow...