96_xj

So today while changing my axle seals I screwed up both of them

I tried doing the extensions with a socket method:




I tried the all-thread method:





and I could not get the seal to seat properly no matter what I did. So now i need to pick up 2 more seals..... and try again.

I want your opinions on how to get these to seat right so they dont get ruined again.

Have any of you replaced yours?

JeepingDan

I've done mine and had 1 leak and had to go back in and do it over.
All I did was use the socket and extension hammer trick and done so on other vehicles with rarely a problem.

hmmmmm..... have a friend there to watch and make sure they go in straight?

96_xj

i will try it with someone there to watch. but i checked constantly

89eliminator

i just hammer them in with a punch or something like that. just go easy all the way around the seal until it seats. i never had a problem with them leaking.

96_xj

i tried that... I cant get the darn thing to seat strait. the seals i just bought are ruined so until I can get new ones I cant try anything. I have been looking for an inner axle seal tool but noone carries them anymore...

mike albo

try a 2x4 flat on the seal and wack it with a hammer

mike albo

there may not be enough room though

Mattpar

one thing also to remember, is that if you drag the threaded rod against the seal, you run the chance of ruining the seal. Wrap the un-used thread in electrical tape to to prevent tearing the seal.

JeepingDan

Tryed that one time. No room to swing a hammer.

dukie564

you could try this guy's method - seems bulletproof

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/d30seals/seal-2.htm

mwdouglas

wow that looked very simple i will use his method when i do mine

wildspear

He makes it look easy, geuss haveing a buddy help on that kind of thing would greatly improve the install ( just the extra cost of drinkables). To bad theres not a way to test the seal before you put things back together, to make sure the leak is fixed.

mwdouglas

i agree my buddy did his seals and found that one was leaking a little after he got it back together

dukie564

if the seal is installed evenly, it should not leak

dukie564

yea this is definitely on the beer buddy install list