Need rear axle seal advice.

[my427cobra]

Hi all. Came back from a nice ride in the Cobra a couple of days ago and parked the car in the garage. Next day had a 4" puddle of diff fluid on the floor on the passenger side. Fluid leaked out the end of the axle tube. Luckily not too much of a mess on the car.

I run a Ford 9" rear axle and it was rebuilt by a reputable shop when I did my build. Got maybe 2500 miles on it.

So I surmise the seal has failed. I'll pull the axle today.

Can anyone recommend a high quality, or high performance axle seal?

Seal-it makes an interesting racing axle seal product, but I think it's meant for the diff end of the axle tube, not the outer end.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers
Greg

[redmt]

Seal failure is usually a by product of a funky axle bearing wobbling around.

[my427cobra]

Pulled the axle today. Bearing not that bad but will replace it. Seal was split on the bottom.

Could hitting on the spinner ear with my 6lb lead hammer affect the life of the bearing?

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Greg

[redmt]

Impact is never good on a bearing but your not out beating the snot out of it every day either.

[my427cobra]

Getting a new bearing and outer seal pressed on as we speak.

Saw some tricks on the internet:
1) use silicone or hylomar to install the seal and bearing to the housing

2) circle track guys use two inner seals (where normally one is used) with grease packed between the two seals.

Has anyone here done this?

Cheers
Greg

[frdfver]

Greg, Are you replacing the axle seal that goes into the housing also or just the bearing and seal that is pressed on the axle?

Paul T.

[Rick Parker]

The cats Meow () is what is called a "Set 20" from Timken. Much better than an angular Ball bearing. The Set 20 has more load capacity (not a factor with our cars) and side thrust capacity (definately important for us). However they increase the track width by about a 1/4" per side because of the seal design. Go look at it (Set 20) if contemplating bearing replacement.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Timken-SET20...ht_2680wt_1133

PS: I think it's best to have the wheels on the ground before tightening the knockoffs. Insted of having the shocks at full droop and absorbing the blows too.