new axle seal leak ?

[DSM AFFECTION]

I replaced both axle seals. However the driver side seal is leaking. I have removed transfer case and downpipe to get a closer look. I can clearly see its leaking from the seal. However, the seal looks perfect, no tears or rips. But i can see its leaking from between the seal and the axle shaft. Seems like it is not sealed tightly against the shaft. The bearing bracket bolted to the block is secure and tight. The only thing i can think of is that i used an autozone transmission seal. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks

btw.. Transmission was rebuilt less than 200 miles ago and the old seal was doing this, thats why i replaced it. The original seal was on there for a long time though, could it be the axle causing this somehow?

 

[ShadowTalon]

Driver side and passenger side seals are different. You sure they gave you the right one? I just picked up an oem seal when I did mine from MOPAR for like $6. What did you use to tap the seal in? Also, how easily did your axle go in and out? The rubber can be damaged on the seal pretty easily or if the axle isn't in straight and clicked into the tranny through the clip it won't make a good seal.

 

[DSM AFFECTION]

Driver side and passenger side seals are different. You sure they gave you the right one? I just picked up an oem seal when I did mine from MOPAR for like $6. What did you use to tap the seal in? Also, how easily did your axle go in and out? The rubber can be damaged on the seal pretty easily or if the axle isn't in straight and clicked into the tranny through the clip it won't make a good seal.

thanks for your reply

-Yes its the right one, driver/passenger seal look completely different
-i placed a towel, folded up several times to make it thick, and slowly tapped it in
-axle went in normally as far as i can remember
-if im not mistaken, the driver side does not have a clip on the axle
-axle seems straight (its bolted to the back of the block)

any other ideas? thanks

 

[ShadowTalon]

thanks for your reply

-Yes its the right one, driver/passenger seal look completely different
-i placed a towel, folded up several times to make it thick, and slowly tapped it in
-axle went in normally as far as i can remember
-if im not mistaken, the driver side does not have a clip on the axle
-axle seems straight (its bolted to the back of the block)

any other ideas? thanks

Oops, you are right about the clip . I remember putting some grease on the seal before I put the axle through to make a better seal. You should have felt a nice click when you pushed it back into the tranny. Try grabbing the inner axle and shaking to see if it is loose. Try moving it up and down to see if the bracket moves. I had also sprayed the axle down with brake parts cleaner to make sure it was clean.

Only other thing I can think of is a crappy seal from autozone. Good thing they are cheap

 

[DSM AFFECTION]

I just wanted share what the problem was as reference for any one else. I replaced the autozone driver axle seal with an OEM seal. I thought maybe the OEM would work better. However, upon examination i noticed they were IDENTICAL. I replaced it anyways. As i was under the car tapping in the OEM seal, I noticed i was missing one of the bolts that holds the tranny to the block. It was the one above the driver axle seal that goes through the block/alignment dowel and threads into the transmission. I could tell it was the problem because there was a very small gap between the block/tranny where the bolt was missing, which is right above the axle a little to the left. It caused the axle to pull slightly against the seal. Which is why i could see fluid leaking out between the seal and the shaft.

 

[ShadowTalon]

Glad you got this fixed. Strange to have a bolt missing on the tranny though. I noticed some fluid leaking off of the transfer again coming from the seal so it will be time to do that again soon. Thanks to you I'll look out for missing tranny bolts too though haha

 

[gusu]

Glad you got this fixed. Strange to have a bolt missing on the tranny though. I noticed some fluid leaking off of the transfer again coming from the seal so it will be time to do that again soon. Thanks to you I'll look out for missing tranny bolts too though haha

It's not that uncommon if you have a shot transmission mount. It really depends on how new the hardware is, but the bolts can eventually shake loose.