Leaking axle shaft seal?

[MaloStapalo]

So I noticed some gear oil on my wheel and some wet oil coming from the axle backing plate. I'm guessing this is my axle shaft seal leaking which means having to replace the bearings and have a shop replace the seals since I dont have a press.

My question is, I'm going to 35"s in spring and will need to beef up my axle shafts. Is it worth it to just buy once cry once and replace the entire shaft as a complete kit and skip the shop labor fees, or is it really cheap for them to replace the seals?

Also, is this the correct kit for my Dana 44 rear 03 Rubicon?

https://www.4lowparts.com/shop/dana...fcKCqJqxjJzuWB58iebhd_zsTf758ifsaArv2EALw_wcB

 

[MaloStapalo]

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy new complete shafts. No sense in putting money towards something that will be replaced anyways. @Chris are those the right shafts above for Dana 44 03 rubicon with oem locker?

 

[Chris]

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy new complete shafts. No sense in putting money towards something that will be replaced anyways. @Chris are those the right shafts above for Dana 44 03 rubicon with oem locker?

Yes, those are the correct ones. Same ones I'm running on my Rubicon.

I would personally just throw this in and not worry about it. You'll be just fine with those things on 35s.

 

[MaloStapalo]

Yes, those are the correct ones. Same ones I'm running on my Rubicon.

I would personally just throw this in and not worry about it. You'll be just fine with those things on 35s.

Where did you order yours from?

Side not, my rubicon drive shaft measure out to like 16" and some change this morning when I was looking for my tom woods. I noticed yours was 17.25, how can yours be so much longer than mine? We both have Rubicon 241, no TC drop, and oem tummy skid, my tire is centered in the wheel well when stuffed. I also called them 5 times today and never got an answer. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[Chris]

Where did you order yours from?

Side not, my rubicon drive shaft measure out to like 16" and some change this morning when I was looking for my tom woods. I noticed yours was 17.25, how can yours be so much longer than mine? We both have Rubicon 241, no TC drop, and oem tummy skid, my tire is centered in the wheel well when stuffed. I also called them 5 times today and never got an answer. I'll try again tomorrow.

I got mine on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BW6P12/?tag=wranglerorg-20

When I ordered them, that was the cheapest price I could find.

I don't have the OE transfer case skid. I have a Rokmen transfer case skid. That's why my driveshaft is the length it is... that and the 4" suspension lift.

 

[MaloStapalo]

I got mine on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BW6P12/?tag=wranglerorg-20

When I ordered them, that was the cheapest price I could find.

I don't have the OE transfer case skid. I have a Rokmen transfer case skid. That's why my driveshaft is the length it is... that and the 4" suspension lift.

Ah copy that, I figured we would have a closer shaft length since I have the currie 4" kit also but I guess the tummy tuck makes up that extra inch difference.

 

[Chris]

Ah copy that, I figured we would have a closer shaft length since I have the currie 4" kit also but I guess the tummy tuck makes up that extra inch difference.

Yep, that tummy tuck is the equivalent of adding 3" more of suspension lift basically, hence the different driveshaft length. It might end up being longer too, since during the mid-arm install, Dave is going to move my wheels back about 2" in the wheel well, which should center the axle.

 

[MaloStapalo]

Yep, that tummy tuck is the equivalent of adding 3" more of suspension lift basically, hence the different driveshaft length. It might end up being longer too, since during the mid-arm install, Dave is going to move my wheels back about 2" in the wheel well, which should center the axle.

Tom woods can compensate for that added length from the TT and I can safely run the 4" no tt length till spring?

 

[Chris]

Tom woods can compensate for that added length from the TT and I can safely run the 4" no tt length till spring?

You should be able to, yes. Every rig is different, but you should be able to get away with it as long as you don't do any wheeling / flexing in the mean time.

 

[MaloStapalo]

You should be able to, yes. Every rig is different, but you should be able to get away with it as long as you don't do any wheeling / flexing in the mean time.

Oooh. How extreme of flexing or wheeling? I was going to run the forest service roads until they close 11/22. Those are not extreme by any means.

Ordered the shaft I linked above from 4loparts. $538 shipped. Let's hope this fixes that leak.

 

[Chris]

Oooh. How extreme of flexing or wheeling? I was going to run the forest service roads until they close 11/22. Those are not extreme by any means.

Ordered the shaft I linked above from 4loparts. $538 shipped. Let's hope this fixes that leak.

I can't say for sure. It depends on how far the slip joint is from the center when the vehicle is sitting on the ground. That's going to determine how much you can get away with. There's a possibility you might not be able to run it at all. It's going to be hard to say for sure until everything is on the vehicle bolted up.

 

[MaloStapalo]

I can't say for sure. It depends on how far the slip joint is from the center when the vehicle is sitting on the ground. That's going to determine how much you can get away with. There's a possibility you might not be able to run it at all. It's going to be hard to say for sure until everything is on the vehicle bolted up.

I noticed in the link from Amazon the shaft looks different than the link in 4lowparts but they have the same part number RAK44-1 am I overthinking the stock photo image or does the 4lowparts shaft not include something?

 

[MaloStapalo]

I noticed in the link from Amazon the shaft looks different than the link in 4lowparts but they have the same part number RAK44-1 am I overthinking the stock photo image or does the 4lowparts shaft not include something?

4low emailed me back very quick. The top picture is actually a JK axle that many use as a default picture. 4Low shows the actual axle shaft.

 

[Chris]

I noticed in the link from Amazon the shaft looks different than the link in 4lowparts but they have the same part number RAK44-1 am I overthinking the stock photo image or does the 4lowparts shaft not include something?

Yeah, those are just stock photos they are using, that's why. As long as the part number is RAK44-1, they are the right axle shafts!