Axle oil seal... or not

[arrowstrap]

i had an oil leak on my rear axle seal that dipped on my brake drum. i replaced the seal.... i noticed oil saturating my front u-joint and most everything on the back side of the brake shield. i assumed it was another faulty seal... but there is no seal! i pulled the shaft out of the axle and it had a good amount of grime, sand and a few pine needles in it. the oil in the pumpkin looked clean... why is there no water/dirt seal between the axle and the shaft? seems dumb.

 

[Crumm]

The seal is on the inner end of the axle tube next to the differential gears. To change the seal you have to pull both axes and the carrier.

 

[arrowstrap]

Makes sense now. i'll dig into it..

thanks

 

[DaveBen]

The outer seal is a dirt/dust seal and not an oil seal.

Dave

 

[arrowstrap]

i didnt see an outer seal at all.. its not in the breakdown diagram on my CD either. if there is one please let me know, i'll have this exposed and apart so the timing will be right for installation.

 

[Crumm]

Nope nothing on the outside, just a open tube to fill up with mud.

 

[patrickc]

I don't think they brought the outer dust/dirt seal into play until 99.

 

[DaveBen]

Sorry, I was thinking about a 2004 truck. You are correct, no outer seal.

Dave