Axle tube seals

[Tas130]

I have just bought a TJ and have worked out that the front air locker has done a seal and needs replacing. but in working this out and doing general checks have found that I have greasable axle tube seals. Now the question is should these rotate when the wheel turns? The ds one stays in place but the ps one rotates slowly (moves about 1inch with a couple of full rotations of the wheel)with the wheel.
I am thinking it shouldn't move as the grease should be pushing on the inside of the tube so am thinking when the locker seal let go and pressurised the diff maybe this is where the air came out?
cheers

[sht50]

Your talking about up near the uni joints? Someone has put aftermarket alloy USA seals in there. Just quickly looking at the design of them it looks like they just push into the tube and there is no real way of making them lock in as such.

[Aus-Jeep]

Definitely shouldnt be turning with the wheel rotation. These should be a fairly tight sealed fit into the axle tubes.

When you pull the axles out to redo the seals in the locker, pay close attention to the following few points that will help you later.

• While the axles are out, ensure that the area where the tube seals run on the axles are extremely smooth and clean (I polished mine before the axles went in)

• Pull the tube seals out and IF they are still ok then give them a good clean all over and inspect for any wear on the inside seals. If worn at all then replace them. If they are still ok then when you put them back into the tubes, seal them in with ultrablue to help them seal and help to to stop rotating

• When you have the seals back in the tubes and the ultrablue is dry, pack the inside groove of the seal with heaps of marine grease, if they have a grease nipple on them then grease heavily when the axle goes back in as well. You need to have the groove full of grease before the axle goes in.

[Jonesy]

if you there's an air seal issue it would be the inner axel seal on the diff itself the outer greasable seals are an aftermarket seal,, more of an add on to keep out contamination from the inner seals

[low ranger]

the locker seals can fail if the preload on the carrier bearings is not tight enough. the centre needs to be removed & refitted using a diff spreader to get the preload right. I see this problem often.

[TassieTJ]

Originally Posted by low ranger

the locker seals can fail if the preload on the carrier bearings is not tight enough. the centre needs to be removed & refitted using a diff spreader to get the preload right. I see this problem often.

I'd at least change the square O rings while its out... diagram here

http://arb.com.au/media/products/air...rs/2-RD113.pdf

[low ranger]

Yes, change the O-rings, but lube them well & don't twist them installing them or they will leak again quickly.