The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Rear Axel seal

Hi Guys, what is done on the rear axles to seal them properly on a 41 1.5 ton? I have what looks like a donut surrounded by a metal gasket on each side. Do I need to replace the donut? Can I reuse the metal gaskets with a little sealer? If either need to be replaced, is there a source? Thanks in advance.

Hy Tomcoe, from how you describe it it sounds like you have the type of seal which seals around the end of the axle tube. This type of seal was used when you had grease packed bearings in the rear hub. As far as I know these seals are made of unobtainium, (they are no longer available). If you clean all of the grease out of your rear hubs you can lube the bearings with diff. oil, just eliminate the seals at the outboard end and replace that with a gasket between the axle and the hub. Make sure the diff. oil is up to the level of the fill plug on the cover at the rear of the diff. housing, if you jack up the rear of the truck first on one side and then the other, that will allow lube to run down the tubes into the hubs before you drive the truck, any excess oil will level out when the truck is back on the ground, hope that helps.

As 3B said remove the seals and let the diff oil lube the hub bearings. I would add oil to the diff before jacking up each side and again after to ensure the diff is full after each hub gets its share.

Oh before you do this ensure that the inner hub seals are in good condition and not a felt seal,they must be a rubber lip seal capable of retaining the oil and keeping it out of the brakes.

So essentially, I will be eliminating what I'm calling the donuts and just bolting up the axles to the hub with a gasket. So, no chance that the axles will be in too far then since the donuts are about 1/2 inch thick? Thanks for the responses!

Hy Tomcoe, could you post a picture of the "donuts"?

Sure, but it will be Monday, the truck is in a buddy's shop.

Yes pictures please after that statement I am not sure that 3b and I are on the same page with you and would hate to give you incorrect info.

O...k... (head hung low) it is with great humility that I update with what I thought was some sort of donut was just a very dirty, thick axle face.... no donut. So I understand what to do now. Thanks guys.... humble tom..

Oh my I guess the first step to restoration is to thoroughly clean everything wile disassembly.Oh don't forget tag everything and take lots of photographs ziploc freezer bags and a sharpie helps.

I do those things. Normally, I'm pretty competent.... normally... haha. Honestly, the way they looked laying there dirty, closely resembled a type of wax donut, even with layers and some separation.... but alas, it was just a case of dumbassity. I always clean right before reassembly as parts reveal more clues for reassembly. Just an old habit of mine when I'm working on 10 things at once.

I just stress organization because it is my weakest suit LOL. If I stress it to others it will make me better at it right???