Hi all,My wife's 2001 Sportrac has had a problem with the left rear axle leaking oil..I've replaced the seal 2 times before and replaced the bearing 1 time ..about every 20,000 miles it starts to leak again the axle has a small groove in it(not even finger nail deep) this is getting rather expensive to do,seal,oil,brakes shoes,cleaning of the drum etc. ...what am I missing?Or not doing? Thanks,Longhair!!!

 

Is the vent tube blocked?

 

That's a very good question. On my 2000 when I replaced the bearings, seals, and parking brake shoes due to slightly leaking axle seals I removed the vent tube fitting threaded in to the axle and found it to be completely plugged. Between replacing the bearings and seals, unplugging the fitting, confirming the vent tube was clear, and installing new synthetic fluid, my leak was gone and stayed gone for the remainder of the time I owned the truck.

-Rod

 

Rod,Thanks for the reply,I looked at the TOP of the vent tube...I never thought to look at the screwed in fitting....betur right though!! Longhair!!!

 

Viper,Thanks for bringing that up 2!!,I told my wife...I gotta put it back in the garage and check it out!!

 

If the vent is clean, then the problem is the small groove in the axle. YOu have several options, you can use a double lip seal, install the original seal but dont push it in the last 1/8 inch, or use a speedy sleeve on the shaft which is a very thin stainless sleeve you glue to the shaft and the seal will run on that.

 

Thanks man,Thats just what I did.