Opinions on Outer Tube Seals!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 747
Likes: 2
From: Paramus NJ
Year: 2002
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L HO V8
Hey everybody, I going to be getting a HP 30 to swap into my Jeep, and I will be building it up before I swap it in. One of the things I was looking at was the outer tube seals, what does everybody think of them?
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52420_91X_PG.htm
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52420_91X_PG.htm
I say great if they will work 100 percent. Because if they don't, and you don't maintain your axle lube. You will be screwed.
IF you don't have them, then you have to maintain your axle lube.
That and changing diff oil takes all of 15minutes and 10 bucks.
IF you don't have them, then you have to maintain your axle lube.
That and changing diff oil takes all of 15minutes and 10 bucks.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 864
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From: Yorba Linda
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.8
Bad idea..
As the steering is turned left and right, the axle shaft travels forward and back in the knuckles, right where these sit will see (depending on camber/caster) from 1/8-1/4 travel.
The seals get wallowed out and the rubber no longer seals in 10k-20k miles and then they open up enough to allow water, mud, sand, etc, to get in past them. Once this happens then the junk is held in the tube up against the real seals, the inner axle seals. It will fill up to the level of the bottom of the outer axle seals.
Does that sound like a good idea?
And why would you want to run them anyways?
As the steering is turned left and right, the axle shaft travels forward and back in the knuckles, right where these sit will see (depending on camber/caster) from 1/8-1/4 travel.
The seals get wallowed out and the rubber no longer seals in 10k-20k miles and then they open up enough to allow water, mud, sand, etc, to get in past them. Once this happens then the junk is held in the tube up against the real seals, the inner axle seals. It will fill up to the level of the bottom of the outer axle seals.
Does that sound like a good idea?
And why would you want to run them anyways?
Last edited by RWKHausSupply; Dec 11, 2012 at 01:01 PM.
Bad idea..
As the steering is turned left and right, the axle shaft travels forward and back in the knuckles, right where these sit will see (depending on camber/caster) from 1/8-1/4 travel.
The seals get wallowed out and the rubber no longer seals in 10k-20k miles and then they open up enough to allow water, mud, sand, etc, to get in past them. Once this happens then the junk is held in the tube up against the real seals, the inner axle seals. It will fill up to the level of the bottom of the outer axle seals.
Does that sound like a good idea?
And why would you want to run them anyways?
As the steering is turned left and right, the axle shaft travels forward and back in the knuckles, right where these sit will see (depending on camber/caster) from 1/8-1/4 travel.
The seals get wallowed out and the rubber no longer seals in 10k-20k miles and then they open up enough to allow water, mud, sand, etc, to get in past them. Once this happens then the junk is held in the tube up against the real seals, the inner axle seals. It will fill up to the level of the bottom of the outer axle seals.
Does that sound like a good idea?
And why would you want to run them anyways?
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 864
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From: Yorba Linda
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.8

jack up the front on your jeep, and have someone turn side to side, and put you finger in the tube where the axle goes in. Then come back and tell me. I have yet to see one not move about 1/8" or so, with steering left right lock to lock.
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
the center of the ujoints SHOULD be in line with the ball joints, so there should be no movement at the seal location
10% of the time these work all the time. From what i've seen they work better at keeping dirt and mud IN the axle tubes than out of it. Don't waste your money.
10% of the time these work all the time. From what i've seen they work better at keeping dirt and mud IN the axle tubes than out of it. Don't waste your money.
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what the heck are you talking about? you still have inner axle seals. these are just to keep mud and junk out of the tubes.
While I wouldn't spend my money on these anyway. I have never seen or heard of that happening. The pivot point of the u-joint is centered between the ball joints so It doesn't move up, down, and side to side.
While I wouldn't spend my money on these anyway. I have never seen or heard of that happening. The pivot point of the u-joint is centered between the ball joints so It doesn't move up, down, and side to side.
Yes but I have seen people get the idea that they never have to change the oil if they run these seals. Dirt gets in the tubes and can cause the inner seals to leak junk in.
I know it doesn't make any sense.
Last edited by holycaveman; Dec 11, 2012 at 02:06 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
you guys are all sniffin exhaust fumes.
anyone who has done inner axle seals will tell you having to clean out all the oily mud from the tubes is a real pain.
these will keep 99% of the mud/dirt out, making the clean up a lot easier.
worth every penny in my opinion. but you do have to have good inner seals, these do not replace those.
anyone who has done inner axle seals will tell you having to clean out all the oily mud from the tubes is a real pain.
these will keep 99% of the mud/dirt out, making the clean up a lot easier.
worth every penny in my opinion. but you do have to have good inner seals, these do not replace those.
IN this case I don't know what ktm is talking about. LOL
They move a lot, especially under stress
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
seriously if the shaft is moving in that spot, your balljoints are ****ed
Under correct setup, axis should match and there should be no movement
Under correct setup, axis should match and there should be no movement
unfortunately our world is not as perfect as in the pictures. Under stress even 1/16 of an inch of movement and dirty water can get past a seal. There is no bearing in questioned area.
what the heck are you talking about? you still have inner axle seals. these are just to keep mud and junk out of the tubes.

They are probably not a bad idea. but I look at it like am I going to grease these things all the time? Probably not.
Mud does not matter so much. Its dirty water that always causes the problem. Because it comes in as a liquid which can get almost anywhere. Then the sediment that was mixed in with the water stays as the water leaves. So even in your seals and or bearings this happens.
It may help. And probably would keep a lot out. But I don't know if its worth it.


