AMC 20 Seal Leak

[jeepjunk4]

Ok, so I did a solid axle swap in my 85 last year, and the right rear started leaking gear oil not long after I did it, I only drive it local and plow with it so I've just kept an eye on it. Now that summer is almost here I need to fix it. The way I see it is the inner seal is probably in wrong or nicked, cause that is really the only thing that keeps the oil back, right?? And why is it, that I have read to silicone the outer axle seal before installing it?? It seems to me that if the gear oil is getting past the inner seal, the outer isn't really gonna make a difference is it?? What am I not getting??

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You have an inner and outer seal.
BOTH seals need to be replaced and your brake shoes are probably oil-soak'd also.
Your also gonna need to replace the axle bearing and retaining ring.
Was this a Moser axle?
Never have had any issue with them.
LG

 

[jeepjunk4]

Nah, Lumpy this was a budget build, got the axles from a friend, put all new seals and bearings when I did it. Gonna make the call when I pull it apart, if the bearing looks good, we'll see. Like I said its not a daily its been treating me well tho, except for this. But why 2 seals, if the inner one fails ur screwed right? The way I see it if the inner fails I would rather have the oil running down the backing plate outside right?? Siliconing it to the axle tube makes no sense to me.

 

[82Laredo]

The inner seal keeps the gear oil out of the wheel bearings. The outter seal keeps the bearing grease from getting to the brakes

 

[jeepjunk4]

OK, now that makes sense. So there is no reason to silicone the seal to the axle tube. Thanks

 

[82Laredo]

You still should according to the one piece axle kit I installed last year. The seal on the backing plate to axle shaft keeps the grease out of the brakes and when you make a seal with silicone it keeps it from leaking out between the axle tube and backing plate (the grease liquifies when it gets hot)

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The outter seal keeps the bearing grease from getting to the brakes

It also keeps dirt/water etc from get into the bearings
THAT'S why you seal the backing plate.
Cut'n 'corners' on driveline work, NEVER pays in the long run!
Cry once and get the Mosers--
LG

 

[jeepjunk4]

Changed the $3 inner seal, repacked the bearing, cleaned everything up , all is good.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Fingers crossed
LG