Amc 20 seal leaks again

[jeepjunk4]

OK, so I did the solid axle swap about a month ago, everything looked good until yesterday, the @#$% thing is leaking again!!!!

I put the new axles in and made sure everything was within specs when I bolted it back up. I put silicone on the backing plate where it mounts to the axle tube, although I gotta admit I don't know why, that's a dry bearing,right? There should be no gear oil getting pqst the inner seal right?

The only thing I can think of, is that the inner seal has failed for some reason. But I did notice the gear oil is leaking from inside the drum, not down the outside of the backing plate, so I guess that tells me the silicone is holding lol. I guess I should have siliconed the inside of the backing plate too???? I think the silicone is a waste of time.

What am I not getting, or why else would it be leaking??? C'mon somebody learn me here!!!!

 

[Old Dog]

Your right the bearing should not have gear oil on it only grease.
I always put some silicon on the outer metal part of the seal to help it seal it the tube. Also put a little grease on the seal surface (or axle) so it isn't dry.
Kinda strange though as the inner seal usually leaks down the outside of the backing plate through the hole in the bottom of the axle tube.

 

[Sasquach]

If it comes back apart make sure there are no sharp edges on the axle that might damage the seal when going together, take some 600 grit and polish the area then put some grease on it and the seal before reinstalling.