Outer Dust Seal, Front Axle
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From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Outer Dust Seal, Front Axle
Fellas,
While crawling around adjusting the air pressure on my 1999.0 F-250 I noticed the driver's side dust seal has come out of the axle housing and is just resting on on the axle just behind the U-Joint. It's between the U-Joint and the axle tube, not between the U-Joint and the tire.
Is there anyway to put this seal back in without pulling the axle off?
How concerned should I be?
I have no idea how long it's been like this. I have heard/felt no symptoms. There is NO fluid leaking out.
Thanks,
Stone
While crawling around adjusting the air pressure on my 1999.0 F-250 I noticed the driver's side dust seal has come out of the axle housing and is just resting on on the axle just behind the U-Joint. It's between the U-Joint and the axle tube, not between the U-Joint and the tire.
Is there anyway to put this seal back in without pulling the axle off?
How concerned should I be?
I have no idea how long it's been like this. I have heard/felt no symptoms. There is NO fluid leaking out.
Thanks,
Stone
Last edited by Stone Mathews; Aug 24, 2008 at 03:04 PM. Reason: Edited for clarity
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From: Warrenton, Mo
I am glad someone asked this question, because I keep forgetting to. Both of mine are off as well and I too was wondering what problems would arise. Sounds like a common thing, I am curious how many SD owners have this problem(if it is a problem).
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From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Seems like a fairly common problem. Mmmmm......
Huntin' season's a comin'. I'll be crossing a creek here and there and driving through some fairly good sized mud/water holes. I'm sure this will expose the seals (or lack there of) to some dirty water. This isn't an every day thing, more like a 8-10 times a year thing.
Is this still a concern?
Huntin' season's a comin'. I'll be crossing a creek here and there and driving through some fairly good sized mud/water holes. I'm sure this will expose the seals (or lack there of) to some dirty water. This isn't an every day thing, more like a 8-10 times a year thing.
Is this still a concern?
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From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Wait,
Is there anything behind the dust seal? Looks like it goes, U Joint, dust seal, and then nothing until you get to the Axle Shaft Oil Seal? Is that right, you just have an empty tube with the axle spinning inside and no bearings? (The two bearing points are in the differential itself and then the main bearing in the knuckle?) I guess the dust seal is just to keep water and dust out of the empty tube so that it doesn't ride against the oil seal in the differential?
I'm learnin' here boys!
Stone
Is there anything behind the dust seal? Looks like it goes, U Joint, dust seal, and then nothing until you get to the Axle Shaft Oil Seal? Is that right, you just have an empty tube with the axle spinning inside and no bearings? (The two bearing points are in the differential itself and then the main bearing in the knuckle?) I guess the dust seal is just to keep water and dust out of the empty tube so that it doesn't ride against the oil seal in the differential?
I'm learnin' here boys!
Stone
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From: NorCal
Wait,
Is there anything behind the dust seal? Looks like it goes, U Joint, dust seal, and then nothing until you get to the Axle Shaft Oil Seal? Is that right, you just have an empty tube with the axle spinning inside and no bearings? (The two bearing points are in the differential itself and then the main bearing in the knuckle?) I guess the dust seal is just to keep water and dust out of the empty tube so that it doesn't ride against the oil seal in the differential?
I'm learnin' here boys!
Stone
Is there anything behind the dust seal? Looks like it goes, U Joint, dust seal, and then nothing until you get to the Axle Shaft Oil Seal? Is that right, you just have an empty tube with the axle spinning inside and no bearings? (The two bearing points are in the differential itself and then the main bearing in the knuckle?) I guess the dust seal is just to keep water and dust out of the empty tube so that it doesn't ride against the oil seal in the differential?
I'm learnin' here boys!
Stone
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If you go through water with it, the water will get inside, and corrode the seal surface on the inner side of the axle. Which will eventually lead to leaking oil, or water in the differential housing - which is NOT good.
If you're totally on-the-road, not a big deal to leave it until you can deal with it.
But even then, it's called a "dust" seal for a reason - water is still going to get past it, I'd bet ..
If you're totally on-the-road, not a big deal to leave it until you can deal with it.
But even then, it's called a "dust" seal for a reason - water is still going to get past it, I'd bet ..
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Axle Seal
Unless you regularly drive in water high enough to submerge the axle then driving around w/ a loose seal isn't much of a problem. Hence FORD's statement: "change differential fluid if the axle has been submerged"
About the only way to change one of these seals is to pull the axle shaft out. This is not the easiest thing in the world to do - quite a bit has to come apart. Most people wait till the balljoints go to do it.
DG
About the only way to change one of these seals is to pull the axle shaft out. This is not the easiest thing in the world to do - quite a bit has to come apart. Most people wait till the balljoints go to do it.
DG
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From: NW NJ
As you're crossing streams, etc .... keep in mind that the wheel bearings are not serviceable. I've had to replace 4 hub/brg assy's (two under warranty), and each time there was water/debris in the bearing. I guess its a function of how long the hub is under water, but "sealed bearings" is a relative term. Why do to you build a *truck* that has non-repackable wheel bearings???
When I removed my axles during my replacement of the ball joints, those dust seals were in their proper position. Still, the axle tube had a lot of fine debris in it. But, it was very dry stuff. Maybe the spinning of the axle in the tube dried it all out???? Anyway, I guess these seals don't quite fit right ...... so many of the guys here are finding them sitting on their axles, and mine was in its proper position, but junk still got past it.
Good luck.
When I removed my axles during my replacement of the ball joints, those dust seals were in their proper position. Still, the axle tube had a lot of fine debris in it. But, it was very dry stuff. Maybe the spinning of the axle in the tube dried it all out???? Anyway, I guess these seals don't quite fit right ...... so many of the guys here are finding them sitting on their axles, and mine was in its proper position, but junk still got past it.
Good luck.
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From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Thanks for the scoop on dust seals. All good stuff.
At this point, I figure I will simply wait until I need to do the ball joints. Based on what you fine gentlemen have told me, I'm not sure it's worth it, nor does my driving style warrent, pulling all of that apart just to press the dust seal back in, that may, or may not, stay put.
Once again, thanks guys for the real world advice.
Stone
At this point, I figure I will simply wait until I need to do the ball joints. Based on what you fine gentlemen have told me, I'm not sure it's worth it, nor does my driving style warrent, pulling all of that apart just to press the dust seal back in, that may, or may not, stay put.
Once again, thanks guys for the real world advice.
Stone
Last edited by Stone Mathews; Aug 26, 2008 at 08:03 AM. Reason: mispelling
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From: NorCal
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From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Ahh, ok, so there is two parts to this dust seal? (Not really two parts, but it can easily become two parts when damaged I guess.)
What I'm seeing is actually the boot I believe. If I push the boot in a little, I can kinda see the part that is actually "tight" on the axle shaft. The outer boot part (with the groove in it) is the part that out flopping around.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/racergu...of100_0050.JPG
That part Racerguy's thumb is on is the part I can see sticking out and flopping around.
Stone
What I'm seeing is actually the boot I believe. If I push the boot in a little, I can kinda see the part that is actually "tight" on the axle shaft. The outer boot part (with the groove in it) is the part that out flopping around.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/racergu...of100_0050.JPG
That part Racerguy's thumb is on is the part I can see sticking out and flopping around.
Stone