seal ring, input shaft -rear axle- leaking oil. suggestions.?

[Paul99]

Some time ago i replaced the oil seal that was leaking. (the seal that hold the oil in the rear axle at the end of the propshaft)

Its still leaking.  the shaft is slightly worn (just as a result of 120k miles i guess)  so the seal isn’t sealing and oil is still getting past.

Is there a larger seal I can fit? or I guess its a case of removeing the shaft and getting it sleeved back to original diameter.  There is a slight groove in the shaft from wear. Or is the groove normal?

What would you suggest?  and how easy is it to remove the shaft? or can i get a larger seal? 

[George Des]

As I recall, the rear drive shaft flange fits over the pinion shaft and the flange has a bearing surface that contacts the seal so it is the flange that would have a groove in it. You should be able to clean up the bearing surface by a machinist if not too bad and fit a new seal. If too far grooved you may be able to find a good used one. Years ago I simply replaced mine with a new one. The new ones are round but are a direct replacement. I can not recall how much they cost exactly but it may have been around $140.00 US. Hope this helps

[rutger kohler]

Hi Paul Have you looked at speedi-sleeves http://vsm.skf.com/en-US/HeavyDuty/KitsAndTools/SpeediSleeve.aspx.

cheers

Rutger K

[Paul99]

Great, thanks for the answers.  I will try to get a new flange/sleave I think?  Do you know what size I need?  the PDF shows sizes rather than car/model fittings?    i will also try Merceds to see if they still have any need flanges

[tel76]

By the time you have bought the sleeve and had a the flange machined to take the sleeve (and all the hassle of arranging it) it would have been cheaper to obtain a new one from MB,  they are available but as usual at a price.

[rutger kohler]

There is no machining required on the sleeves that I am talking about.  They are microns thin and slip over the damaged area.  The new oil seal has enough give in the lip to take them.

[tel76]

Hello RK,
Have you used this solution and how much would one be for the diff: flange and does it come with the installation tool?

[rutger kohler]

Hi Eric, I have used this type of repair on pumps shaft seal areas and gearboxes, in industry, successfully but some years ago but not necessarily this particular brand.  The type I am talking about comes with a bell shaped end which you use to carefully drive the sleeve on with, and then there is a neck between the sleeve and the bell part which allows you to snap the bell end off when the sleeve is on far enough.

With regard to the size of the sleeve for the flange i haver no idea, you would have to measure the seal area with a digital vernier or micrometer. I would guess it is a standard metric size?

[rutger kohler]

Me again, I 've just been up on the website that I posted and it has quite an  explicit PDF on how to mount these, and yes a tool does come with them, and now I see SKF are the manufacturers, then I have used them, a very reputable company in my opinion.