Zipper front steer axle seals?

[Rene M]

Any one have a pic? i have been looking for the pro/cons of a zipper seal but i have had little to no luck. Can any one help this noobe?

My truck spent a lot of time in high water and i have lots of water in the grease/diff oil issues i am dealing with.

 

[monkster]

There are probably serveral threads on this. I have done both the 2 1/2, and the 5T. I had to have help with the outside ring. I have had no problems w/ the zipper boots just coat the zipper w/ sealcan well. Also invest in a TM, good reading. Make sure to clean the old grease and water out that is how the cv joint is lubed. Refill w/ 6 tubes or intill grease comes out. after all that makes you rethink runing through high water unless nessary. Good luck OH the boots are marked which goes to frt.

 

[Rene M]

I have read a few of the older posts on this topic. What i mainly want to know is:
How well does it seal?
will it keep out water?
whats the maint like on them?

My 5 ton was used in the Lake Charles as a high water rescue vehicle and has water damage in the hubs,bearings,diff etc. I would like to prevent future damage in this fashion.

 

[monkster]

I havn't had a problem with mine, but I'm not at those debths. I would think seal the zipper well and should be no problem. I aslo had considered taking the axle vents and going with a 1/4 npt street L with a hose barb and run that up into the frame, also a wise mil machanic told me that check the brake lines were the holders are taped into the axle tube, that leads into the dif.

 

[Rene M]

AAaahh thats a good suggestion.. And your right" i just pulled the bolts out" they are straight in to the diff and one was missing..
I drained out 14 gal's of muck.....oil,water, and just plain yuck...

 

[Banshee365]

You get a Katrina truck? Are you planning for it to spend more time in water? Wouldn't worry about using zippered boots. Most guy's will run a bead of RTV down the zipper after it's sealed. I went for the zipperless when I did my front axle since I had it all apart anyways. Glad you're getting all of that water out of the sumps, gotta get as much out as possible.

-Kelly

 

[monkster]

I got to thinking go ahead and put the non zippers on, got to complet rebuilb. the zippers save time if a rip is seen before fording.

 

[Rene M]

I got to thinking go ahead and put the non zippers on, got to complet rebuilb. the zippers save time if a rip is seen before fording.

I can say that a 5 ton front end can take a lot of water damage and with the changing of a few bearings ,races and seals..... The front end is back together again..