gear lube inside wheel front axle.

[sac]

I noticed I have gear lube on the inside of the wheel on the front axle. I had this happen on the rear and was wondering if it is the same procedure?
I have read on here you don't use an outer seal on the front, so was wondering if you use silicone on the channel in the spindle instead of the cork.
Or do I have to look deeper on the front dif.

Thanks Scott

 

[Jeepsinker]

Nope, front axle has an inner seal pressed into a retainer. Completely different. You don't need any silicone at all on the front axle.

 

[brianp454]

There's a great thread here called something like "front axle step x step." If you search for it you will find it. Lots of pics and explanation. Oh, here it is:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?8460-Front-axle-seals-and-boots-stepXstep

Erik's Surplus has all of the parts in a kit:
http://eriksmilitarysurplus.com/m3fraxoilsea.html

Or you can get just what you need individually. I recommend doing it all at once, including wheel cylinders (or new cups). Bleed the whole brake system, etc.

 

[clinto]

You're going to be doing this:

 

[Jeepsinker]

Yep! Order a good set of zipperless knuckle boots while you are at it.
There is a vendor here from Texas, I think his screen name is Rockwelloffroad, he sells the only good boots out there right now, as well as full axle reseal and bearing kits.

 

[sac]

Stupid question, I know the spindle has to come off, but do you have to take the knuckle off to get the axle shaft out?

 

[Jeepsinker]

No, pull the spindle and slide the shaft out. You do have to remove the knuckle to replace the boot though.

 

[sac]

No, pull the spindle and slide the shaft out. You do have to remove the knuckle to replace the boot though.

Thank you sir.

 

[Jeepsinker]

If you don't destroy the retainer removing it, you can get just the seal. Best way to remove it is to take both sides apart and drive the seal and retainer out from the other side with a long aluminum bar or a wood broom handle. I use a long 1" solid aluminum round bar. Anything much bigger than 1" won't go through the differential and give you room to angle it to catch the retainer. You don't want to use a steel bar because it can damage the retainer.

A seal is like $12 last I checked. A replacement seal and retainer is $75- $125 depending on where you shop.

 

[Flyingvan911]

I did my knuckle boots this past spring. It's an easy job. Just take your time to clean and regrease everything. It's also a good time to check your brake pads, wheel cylinders, wheel bearings, etc.

 

[sac]

Thank you very much for the tip

 

[Valence]

If you've never done it, I always recommend that when folks are in the axle to take care of an oil seal or front knuckle boot, that they rebuild the wheel (brake) cylinder (hone out the brake cylinder if it doesn't need to be replaced - IMO probably doesn't, usually just some minor rust pitting - and new inner spring + cups + outer boots), and then adjust the brakes.