I've got the front axle seal on the driver side that is leaking. I was just going to let it leak, dripped once every couple of weeks ago, but it started to leak a lot so i think i better fix it soon. The question i have is the cone that guides the axle into the diff, is it part of the inner seal, or is it a seperate piece? If not, how do you not damage it when pounding the old seals out? Figure i'll replace both. Any write ups out there that would help? Figure you just have to remove the axles and the carrier in the diff to access them.

 

You pull both axle shafts, then the carrier. I used a punch to install, and carefully removed them with a large screw driver IIRC. There is an appropriate tool I believe, but Ive done a lot of seals, and bearings/races in my life without any issue, with a punch. But I am very careful. Ive done 2 or 3 inner axle bearings on our style trucks so far. Just takes some time. Not sure if there is a write up or not.

 

Thanks. I figure it will be more time consuming than anything. You don't happen to have a part# do you? and are the cones part of the seal or seperate?

 

I dont have the part number off hand, its been some time. There shouldn't be any cones in the axle tubes, however, the seal itself is sort of a coned shape.

 

ok. last time i had the axles out when doing b-joints i noticed there was a cone shaped piece that helped guide the axle into the diff housing, didn't know if it was a seperate piece or part of the seal

 

Oh from the outside it would look like a cone, but thats actually the seal.

 

I changed mine out about a month ago.The seals did have a plastic cone guide.The new Ford seals I bought did not have the plastic guide.They do have a rubber guide that is part of the seal.The job is not too bad but you have to be really careful installing the new seals.They will try to go in crooked and that will not work.They must go in straight.Look at this......
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...placement.html...............
Good luck

 

Thanks for all the info. Been callin around and looking online and them seals are expensive

 

Yes they are.I bought mine from the Ford house because they were cheaper than the parts stores.I try to go back with Ford parts when I can.They were right at $50 a peice.
Let me warn you to be real careful installing the seals.Might be wise to rent or borrow a seal install kit with the correct size backing plate.

 

Can anyone tell me what would happen if the outer seals leak badly and you don't notice it right away. My passenger side is weaping a little and I'm about ready to take a long trip. If significant amounts of oil leak out will it damage anything if I'm not using the 4 wheel drive? I would think with nothing moving in the front end it would not be a problem. I can fix this after the trip but can't get it done before.

 

I think you will be o.k. for your trip.Oil is like blood,a little makes a big mess and looks like a large amount.When mine started leaking it would sling a little under the fender well but not much.I had time to fix it and got it done.Knock it out when you get back.Do some research on the procedure as well....Have a good trip

 

Thanks for the info riverrat41. I've never had one of these apart and I learned recently that apparently the outer axle tube seal is just a dust seal with the real oil seal being the inner one that is inside the differential housing. If there is oil leaking from the diff housing into the axle tube it will eventually come out the outer seal where I am seeing it. Apparently this is no big issue since most of the oil sits in the bottom of the diff housing anyway and cannot come out. Does that sound right? I think I'm OK.

 

You have it.The dust seals usually end up coming out on their own.Then there is the knuckle seal inside that(will not keep lube from coming out)and the inner seals is your main sealer for the axle lube.Those inner seals have to be install straight and they will try to walk around on you when you are installing them.

 

Thanks again, given what I have learned I'm not going to worry about this until warm weather. Then I will replace all the seals. I wonder why these ever start to leak, they sure con't get used much, but maybe that's the problem?

 

There is a white plastic cone shape guide that can move in the axle tube. It's on both sides. That guide is not part of the seal. The seal does have a protruding oil seal that could be described as a cone too.

Mine started to leak the second I reinstalled my axles after doing the ball joints. I have a thread about doing the inner axle seal and riverrat41's thread has good pics.