I have been fighting with keeping oil in my rear axle for a few months now.
The pinion seal is good and holds but the wheel seals keep pissing fluid. I get maybe three weeks out of a seal and then I have no E-brake because the drums and shoes are coated in gear oil.

Specs:
2000 XJ
C8.25 29 Spline
Stock internal parts
Open differential
9" drum brakes
G2 axle diff cover 40-2029ALB
National Oil Seals

This weekend will be the fourth time replacing the seals and rear shoes since this spring. I am using an OTC seal driving kit and have been careful to not drag the axle shaft across the seals upon re-installation. Is there something else I'm missing here? The axle shaft surfaces are smooth and not marked. The parts and backing plate in the drum assembly are clean and I have not done a water crossing in over a year. Am I just working through a really bad production run of seals?

 

My 2001 2WD has wheel bearings behind the seal and I replaced them. They will both come out together with a slide hammer. One bearing was trashed.

 

Check the up and down play in the axle shaft. Report back.

 

Use a national seal, Check the carrier for side to side movement and also check your vent to make sure it's not clogged.

Max

 

I figured it out. I matched the new seals to the OEM seals that I pulled out. The new seals are inverse of the OEM. I have actually been putting the damn things in backwards!!! I matched the steel casing to the OEM without looking at the rubber seal orientation... Problem shall be cured once and for all this Saturday!

New shoes again
New oil again
New seals again...