Which orientation on axle seals? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Slowguy** · 11-12-2018, 07:20 PM

Don’t know why i can’t remember and this is probably common sense, but can anyone tell me quick which way I installs these axle seals?

**leddzepp** · 11-12-2018, 07:22 PM

The second pic is correct

**Slowguy** · 11-12-2018, 07:27 PM

Ok thanks. Glad I asked. I probably would have done the other way!

**AussieinNC** · 11-12-2018, 08:54 PM

Pack some wheel bearing grease into the inner section of the seal where the little spring is located...grease will stop the spring from popping out when you knock the seal into the housing....

**Slowguy** · 11-12-2018, 09:29 PM

From what I can tell this is a debated topic but...do you grease the bearings before inserting the axle? I was unsure because it seems odd to grease a wet-lube bearing but at the same time it also seems odd to install any bearing lube-free.

**Steeveedee** · 11-12-2018, 10:15 PM

I put grease on them so that they are not dry, before the axle lube gets to them. Pretty sure that that is standard practice.

**AussieinNC** · 11-12-2018, 10:23 PM

I run grease over the bearing surfaces as a pre lube process....seeing most of our assemblies sit for weeks or months ...or years...before being driven to distribute the gear lube....

Grease pack on inside of seal lip to lube seal surface and retain the seal spring during install...

**Ironangel** · 11-12-2018, 10:39 PM

Smear some grease on them bearings while your right there...Now's a good time to pop the diff cover, get a tooth count and inspect. New cover gasket, two quarts of MP GL-5 rated 80w-90 or 75w-90 gear oil, and your set for a Chicago winter...That rear wont take the full two quarts. Just fill to the fill plug located on the passenger side of the diff. Fel-Pro RDS-13391 for the 12-bolt truck rear cover gasket. Most people dont bother with the gasket and just use silicon. Theres no good reason not to and $1500 reasons why you should. Last and certainly not least, make sure the vent located on top the diff is open and not clogged. It should have a short section of rubber hose clamped from the diff vent barb to the frame cross member. Blow in it to make sure its unobstructed. A clogged vent will allow pressure to build up inside the diff pushing gear lube right past those new axle seals ruining your brake shoes...

**Slowguy** · 11-12-2018, 10:48 PM

The seals are just a small part of my overall rearend picture. I pulled EVERYTHING apart. Really wanted posi so I just finished installing my Eaton trutrac carrier with new bolts, bearings, races, etc. hopefully all is adjusted correctly and just about to finish up the rearend and put aside to start in the next piece of the truck puzzle.

**Slowguy** · 11-13-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironangel

Fel-Pro RDS-13391 for the 12-bolt truck rear cover gasket. Most people dont bother with the gasket and just use silicon. Theres no good reason not to and $1500 reasons why you should.

I remember with other cars, lightly coating the rear dif gasket, both sides, with a skim coat of black rtv. The same recommended here?

**Slowguy** · 11-13-2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironangel

Fel-Pro RDS-13391 for the 12-bolt truck rear cover gasket. Most people dont bother with the gasket and just use silicon. Theres no good reason not to and $1500 reasons why you should.

I remember with other cars, lightly coating the rear dif gasket, both sides, with a skim coat of black rtv. The same recommended here?

Redneck Rydes · 11-13-2018, 02:27 PM

I have always put a very small skim of RTV on the outer edge of the seal before putting,will help stop seepage between seal and axle tube, just my 2 pennies worth.

toolboxchev · 11-13-2018, 02:38 PM

Second pic is correct. Tru Trac is a winner!

**Slowguy** · 11-13-2018, 03:01 PM

Here she is getting finished up. Big difference from just a few weeks ago!

11-12-2018, 07:20 PM	#1
Slowguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago,il Posts: 356	Which orientation on axle seals? Don’t know why i can’t remember and this is probably common sense, but can anyone tell me quick which way I installs these axle seals? Attached Images

11-12-2018, 07:22 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,981	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? The second pic is correct __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

11-12-2018, 07:27 PM	#3
Slowguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago,il Posts: 356	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? Ok thanks. Glad I asked. I probably would have done the other way!

11-12-2018, 08:54 PM	#4
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,155	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? Pack some wheel bearing grease into the inner section of the seal where the little spring is located...grease will stop the spring from popping out when you knock the seal into the housing.... __________________ Family and country before all others... 2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver) 2012 Chevy Equinox

11-12-2018, 09:29 PM	#5
Slowguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago,il Posts: 356	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? From what I can tell this is a debated topic but...do you grease the bearings before inserting the axle? I was unsure because it seems odd to grease a wet-lube bearing but at the same time it also seems odd to install any bearing lube-free.

11-12-2018, 10:15 PM	#6
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,088	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? I put grease on them so that they are not dry, before the axle lube gets to them. Pretty sure that that is standard practice. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

11-12-2018, 10:23 PM	#7
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,155	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? I run grease over the bearing surfaces as a pre lube process....seeing most of our assemblies sit for weeks or months ...or years...before being driven to distribute the gear lube.... Grease pack on inside of seal lip to lube seal surface and retain the seal spring during install... __________________ Family and country before all others... 2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver) 2012 Chevy Equinox

11-12-2018, 10:39 PM	#8
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? Smear some grease on them bearings while your right there...Now's a good time to pop the diff cover, get a tooth count and inspect. New cover gasket, two quarts of MP GL-5 rated 80w-90 or 75w-90 gear oil, and your set for a Chicago winter...That rear wont take the full two quarts. Just fill to the fill plug located on the passenger side of the diff. Fel-Pro RDS-13391 for the 12-bolt truck rear cover gasket. Most people dont bother with the gasket and just use silicon. Theres no good reason not to and $1500 reasons why you should. Last and certainly not least, make sure the vent located on top the diff is open and not clogged. It should have a short section of rubber hose clamped from the diff vent barb to the frame cross member. Blow in it to make sure its unobstructed. A clogged vent will allow pressure to build up inside the diff pushing gear lube right past those new axle seals ruining your brake shoes... __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"

11-12-2018, 10:48 PM	#9
Slowguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago,il Posts: 356	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? The seals are just a small part of my overall rearend picture. I pulled EVERYTHING apart. Really wanted posi so I just finished installing my Eaton trutrac carrier with new bolts, bearings, races, etc. hopefully all is adjusted correctly and just about to finish up the rearend and put aside to start in the next piece of the truck puzzle. Attached Images

11-13-2018, 02:27 PM	#12
Redneck Rydes Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Trenton,Ontario & South Carolina Posts: 755	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? I have always put a very small skim of RTV on the outer edge of the seal before putting,will help stop seepage between seal and axle tube, just my 2 pennies worth.

11-13-2018, 02:38 PM	#13
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? Second pic is correct. Tru Trac is a winner!

11-13-2018, 03:01 PM	#14
Slowguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago,il Posts: 356	Re: Which orientation on axle seals? Here she is getting finished up. Big difference from just a few weeks ago! Attached Images



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