9" Axle Tube Seals

[olddog]

They make a set of seals that you put in the axle tubes near the pumpkin, while the 3rd member is out. This holds the oil in the pumpkin on the long hard turns.

Anybody using them?

Good Idea?

What about the wheel seal by the wheel bearing? The wheel bearing is a sealed greased bearing, so its ok. However I wonder about that seal running dry. Do you grease it? Do you leave it out?

[GT350Mike]

I've used that type of seal on my Mustang rear end (Lincoln Versailles) and the results are okay at best. The seal uses three o-rings on the OD which comes in various thicknesses so you can custom fit the seal to the ID of the housing tube. Only one of the three seals came close to fitting properly so the fit is fairly tight, but it still leaks. Without going into a long story, the rear-end was narrowed about 1" on each side and the idiot that cut the housing was successful in removing the portion of the housing where the factory axle seal seated. I tried other recommendations but this one mitigated the leaking to a minimum. I will eventually replace the butchered bearing housing so I can use the factory axle seal, but that project has taken the back seat.

Here is a link to the seal that similar to the one I'm using. Good Luck!

Inner Axle-Housing Seals - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

[CowtownCobra]

I assume you fighting a leaking wheel bearing. I had the same problem for years and considered using these type of seal. You need to understand they were designed for oval track racing where the wheel bearing would get regular maintenance. And the problem likely is with a boogered up bearing cup at the end of the axle. I finally repaired that, properly installed a Timken bearing (accept no substitute) and it hasn't leaked now in over 3 years.

[mreid]

You should not need these extra seals if your axles and housing are set up properly.

[Rick Parker]

The tapered roller type bearing (CowtownCobra) speaks of use a seal that is more or less integral to the bearing set. That bearing is also more desireable if you open track the car as it will carry more load. When installed correctly they don't leak. The seal that is used the sealed Ball type bearing requre a seal in the housing tube inside of the bearing. They are more prone to leak.

[olddog]

I'm rebuilding what appears to me to be a typical 9" with a Track Loc (clutch type limited slip) carrier. I didn't have a known leak at the wheel seals. I discovered one side was a little moist with oil, when I pulled it apart. The axle surface where the seal rides shows some wear, but I think a new seal will hold.

I expect an axle tube could hold all the oil that is in the pumpkin. In a long hard corner, most of it may end up there. Certainly the level at the ring a pinion is going to drop on any corner. I thought it kind of made sense to put them in.

I drive it on the street mostly. At the London show I usually take it around the auto cross course a half dozen or so times. I was aware the dirt track guys use these seals. I just wondered what the folks on this forum thought. Looks like there's not a lot of opinions out there. I guess most feel it is not needed. I expect not, no harder than I am on it.