I have a 1990 F250 with a BW 1356 Transfer case. The rear seal was leaking and when I replaced it the old seal had a metal sleeve in the inside that slid out. It has a hole and "x" shaped grooves cut into it. I put it back in with the new seal thinking it was to prevent wear on the rubber or something but not really understanding how it would seal. Well it didn't seal and now I think it's made the seal larger on the inside so the rubber won't contact the drive shaft surface. Is it supposed to have a metal sleeve for the drive shaft to ride on for wear resistance or is it supposed to just contact the rubber part of the seal? I have a slip yoke rear drive shaft. Thanks for your help.

 

I know that there is supposed to be a new one that goes in with the new seal. my 1356 leak is just wet around the seal so i dont worry too much cause I really only use the 4x4 in the mountains during huntign season when the weather is crappy, or out on the ranch pulling my buddy's skid-steer and powerjoke out of the mud,

 

if the old sleeve fell out, then it needs to be replaced. Might need to replace the output shaft housing if it was left to wear too long. Which by cooincidence i have lol. But either way, yes it needs the sleeve, if it has wobble in the shaft for whatever reason, it will eat that sleeve alive. Need to fix the wobble if so. I went through all of this and four rubber seals thinking it was the seal. It can be brand new and leak the same day if there is wobble. The rubber seal will have a circular spring that hold the rubber to the shaft surface to keep the oil in. the brass/metal sleeve is to keep the shaft from wearing away the housing surface. Again i went through all of this, i have the exact same setup.