Busted inner axle seal

[Andy Maurer]

I replaced my front passenger U-Joint this weekend hoping to resolve a clanking issue. The replacement was not too bad at all, I went the socket and BFH route. All seemed to go well, but the next morning I came outside to a small puddle of what I assume was diff oil under the tire. I am thinking I must have ripped the inner axle seal when reassembling. Does anyone happen to have the correct part number for a set of dana 30 inner axle seals?

Oh, and the clanking issue was not resolved. I am going to disconnect the front drive shaft and see if the noise is still there to try and narrow down the issue.

 

[Flivver250]

The seals are easy to replace, go for it. They almost always leak when the axles are R&R'd if they aren't pretty new (my luck anyway). Never underestimate your sway bar bushings or links for noise issues.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZ53KG/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

The seals are easy to replace, go for it. They almost always leak when the axles are R&R'd if they aren't pretty new (my luck anyway). Never underestimate your sway bar bushings or links for noise issues.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZ53KG/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Is that legit all you need to replace inner axle seals? Whenever I attempt ball joints, my plan is to do the two front u-joints as well and it seems like seals should be on that list if they're really only $20 for two of them?

 

[Steel City 06]

It takes a bit of disassembly to get to them. If you have a set of large sockets and long extensions on hand, replacing the seals is very straightforward. A 36mm impact socket with 3 feet of extensions made a great bearing driver.

The hardest part is often removing the carrier. Fortunately for me, my carrier was not in tight at all and practically fell out when I removed the bearing caps.

It’s a good time to do ball joints, u-joints, wheel bearings, differential fluid change, or other work. Take the time to scrub out the axle tubes while you have everything apart.

I pounded in some axle sleeves while I was there. The benefit they provide is small and arguable, but since it didn’t add much time I figured I might as well. They also act as great guides for getting the axle shafts through the seals.

 

[Vinman]

I would hold off on replacing the inner axle seals until you are positive they are leaking. Since you just had the axle shafts out it could be oil that leaked into the axle tube then slowly worked its way out. A tip going forward is the next time you pull the shaft raise that side of the axle in order to prevent the oil from leaking while the shaft is out.