Leaking Rear Axle Seal Dana 44
- Thread starter JeepinJake
- Start date
Maybe? If you're lucky it's just not seated cleanly. But it could be that the surface the seal sits on isn't clean enough and isn't sealing up. I just watched a video on this, I didn't realize the seal didn't need to be "set" so there's not a lot you can get wrong with the process. That backing plate can go one of 2 directions depending on if you have disc or drum brakes, but if it came pre-assembled then it could be backwards from what you need. That could prevent everything from seating correctly. But IDK.
Thanks for this. Already read the whole thread, but after reading it again I’m leaning towards it being a crappy crown seal.
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
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The cap isn’t really a cap to seal it off. They usually have a small hole to let air move in and out. Sometimes the end of the cap will actually have a little movement to it.
Just did some more reading, and I’m thinking your right. National or spicer seems to be the the right move.
The sucky part is you now have to replace the bearing, to replace the seal!
Timken here!So here
sorry, your saying you are running the Timken seal and have had no leaks?The sucky part is you now have to replace the bearing, to replace the seal!
Sorry, I've used Spicer seals and Timken bearings.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018OGITTA/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018OGIVV6/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BZ93HK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
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Could those small holes, I’m assuming on the side, just below the cap be plugged? The cap was on there pretty tight, my next move is to drive it awhile with the cap off to see if those small holes being clogged are the culprit…
Thanks for this. Those part numbers are for a Dana 44 with disc brakes, correct?
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
They could be. What I’ve done in the past to check is pull the hose from the hacks housing and blow through it. If you can move air through it, it’s not clogged. If there is resistence and air won’t flow, it’s clogged.
Yes. The only difference is the mounting plate, which you have.
Jake, I have had a couple issues with differential leakage, one was a slightly bent axle after hard bottom out, broken shock and mount. I was able to verify it bu raising the rear and putting it on stands and running it in gear. if you watch the brake caliper and see if it is moving back and forth this will let you know something is not straight.
I have had an issue with gear oil coming out the vent after driving on the freeway for some distance. this was caused by a drainback issue, oil was splashing into the driver side axle and not draining back into the differential housing. I found a bulletin on this. it corrected the problem. I pulled the carrier out and sealed the axles and covered the pinion. I the was able to cut some drawback slots. I cleaned it up reassembled it. problem solved. here is a link to the modification.
https://www.arb.com.au/assets/air-lockers/5-11.pdf
I have had an issue with gear oil coming out the vent after driving on the freeway for some distance. this was caused by a drainback issue, oil was splashing into the driver side axle and not draining back into the differential housing. I found a bulletin on this. it corrected the problem. I pulled the carrier out and sealed the axles and covered the pinion. I the was able to cut some drawback slots. I cleaned it up reassembled it. problem solved. here is a link to the modification.
https://www.arb.com.au/assets/air-lockers/5-11.pdf
Hmm, interesting…in all my other reading I haven’t heard of this. I guess for now I’m leaning towards it being a poor quality seal or the vent being clogged, but thank you for your response!
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