Ok, so here is the deal. I installed my front locker over the weekend and while I was at it I replaced the inner axle seals, however, the passenger side is leaking a bit.

Course my first thought was to do it all over again, but then a friend told me about the alloy axle tube seals that go on the outside of the shaft. Are these to replace the inner seal or just complement them? Would these take care of my issue?

 

Yes they will but you will want to remove the old inner ones or you may end up with oil just trapped in the tube and the center running low on fluid.

Miles

 

I've always wondered how these are suppose to work since there isn't a machined sealing surface on the axle shafts in that area.

 

LOL, figures. So basically I am going to have to take everything apart anyway.

Sounds like you have alot of experience since you have been building diff's since 1996.

Just to make sure that I am not mis-leading you by saying one thing and referring to another by error. I can remove my inner axle seals and replace them with these?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aly-11102/overview/

 

I don't think these seals are suppose to help keep oil in, but are more for keeping junk out? I have a set I'm getting ready to put in. So if I'm wrong chime in please, am I right?

 

You're right. Listed under "IMPORTANT". http://www.omix-ada.com/instructions/11102.pdf

 

This is funny, right when I read all the instructions, I saw that and was coming here to tell I found my answer. READ THE DAM INSTRUCTIONS...lol

 

The other problem with that is the inner tubes always have some debris,silt,sand,road dust,etc in them and it cannot be all cleaned out. This would mix with the gear oil and have ill effects.
I have had the tube seals in for over a year. I recommend them.

 

Hmmm, hopefully that is a "before outer axle seal" picture?

 

Dear God...

 

Lol mine have never ever looked like that.... That is rough! To the OP... The inner seals are to hold your fluid in... The outers are simply to help them last longer. It is an easy job to do the inners ( about an hour) might as well change the rear at the same time. This is how I do mine: http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoD30AxlesSeals.htm

 

I do know several people who do not run inner seals running that type of outer seal. They may add that for insurance so they don't get sued lol. If I were you I would replace the inner seals again and make sure you clean out the housing tubes before putting the new seals in. Also try to float the axle as much as possible when installing it to keep from dragging on the seal lip.

Miles

 

Not running inner seals? Ok...

 

Some of the posts in this thread gave me cancer.

 

I don't know why you would ever do that.... First the amount of fluid you would need would be exponentially greater than normal. Not to mention the fact that if you were going sideways on a hill, your diff would drain down one side and be empty... I would never run it with no inners.