[fumplet]

Hi, I have a 7 and 5/8 axle underneath my 86 s-10 and it leaks at the axle seal. I replaced the axle seals before installing it....what all can cause a seal to leak? I did gouge a little of the axle using a seal puller but I got all the sharp edges off of it and used silicone to make sure it sealed....I also took sand paper and smoothed the axle to make sure it will seal. could this seal be the cause of my vibration at freeway speed........the vibration cycles on and off once every second when the vehicle is warm........kinda like a shaft that is out of balance like a drill bit not chucked right.......and yes I paid 300 dollars to have the driveshaft balanced..How far does one have to move the axle up and down to suspect a axle bearing?

[jimfulco]

Did you notice any grooving on the axle just inboard of where the seal rides?

[Triaged]

Having a bent axle or bad axle bearings can cause the seal (even a new one) to leak.

[fumplet]

I did notice a slight groove but not a big one.....so I could tell where the old seal rode

[M&M CUSTOM]

An "axle saver" seal and bearing will move the bearing and seal to a different part of the axleshaft surface, but will not help your balance/ vibration/ possible bent shaft issue.

[fumplet]

Ok then where do I get the axle saver and seal?........also will this fix last very long?.........where does the bearing go?, in farther than the original bearing?

[fumplet]

Just a note.........I had the same problem with the other rear end.too. The one I have now is a 7 and 5.8..............before I had the 7 and a half rear end..........and I also thought that replacing the axles and bearings would cure the problem.....but the drivers side still leaked........so either I am doing something wrong or hell I am just screwed with bad karma...I did notice that the new seals on this one looked like they were the right application..............the old seals were good and tight in there, how ever the new ones werent quite as tight.................as far as seal installation techniques.............isnt it ok just to tap the seal in place with a hammer as long as you dont warp the seal or go ape **** and whack the hell out of the seal?

[M&M CUSTOM]

The axle saver bearing and seal can usually be found at any good parts place.

You can usually get the seal in place without killing it even using just a hammer and going around the outside in a circular motion with light taps and have no problems. It's harder to screw it up with a large socket or a block of wood though.