More ???'s on rear axle seal 8 3/4, plus the locking tab

[MyMopar]

Ok so I am replacing my rear axle seal due to some major leakage.  What I found of the seal is crazy beat as you can see in the photo.  Apparently the seal seperated from the rest of itself.
Now when I install the new seal, I assume it will be installed with the face out (meaning I'll see what I see in the photo of the seal).  Also does it seat all the way against the shoulder in the housing, I think so but just want to be sure.
I also don't know what the second seal is. I looked in the book again and it looks like it seals the bearing on the outer most side of the shaft. 

Lastly, and most importantly the stupid idiot before me never reinstalled the locking tab on the adjusting collar (maybe that is why the damn thing leaked)  which obviously means I don't have the locking tab.  I called all the places I could think of, a few rear end shops, some trans shops and some auto stores (those were the worst).  Does anyone know of a solution?  I will probably have to fab one up but if someone has any ideas I'd appreciate it.  Once the axle shaft is back in I will be able to roll it out of the garage, finish off the electrical and start it up    then put the exhaust on    Thanks, John.

Oh and do you use 85-140 weight oil?

[ShelbyDogg]

So, Mymopar, That big seal keeps the gear lube off of your axle bearing grease and that little seal keeps the bearing grease off of your brakes.  The little seal has to be put on under the bearing retainer so the collar has to be split, so you might as well change both bearings. It never is just 1 simple part is it? If it was gear lube on your brakes the easiest fix is to get that side's inner seal changed.

Just make a clip to keep your adjuster from turning till you get one from a dealer or junk yard. Do not run it without one since that adjuster turns very easily.

Rob

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes the large seal is pressed in up to the shoulder , you need to have it deep enough to clear the brg / retainer & outer seal etc
 I use either 75-90 synthetic or 80-90 dino

[MyMopar]

Ok now you have me confused with big seal and little seal.

In the 1st photo, the seal on the left gets pressed in the housing and the seal on the right slides onto the axle before the wheel bearing?  Does it slide all the way on until it hits some stop or shoulder?  Once I get the bearing off will it be sort of obvious? I'm guesssing so, only if I have the outer seal.  Thanks, John.

[MyMopar]

Just a bit more info.  The seal on the right in the photo above is P/N 8704S

Now the inner part of the seal isn't close to being a snug fit on the axle shaft.  The outer diam. isn't even close to being a press fit in the housing.  I'm thinking and correct me if I'm wrong, that the seal fits in the flange and just seals the roller bearing part of the race?  I'll find out once I get the bearing and collar off but I just like to plan ahead and be prepared.

Oh btw, once the collar is off, can I press the bearing off or do I have to go through the trouble of taking the bearing apart as shown in the manual. Grind this, remove roller bearings, remove the roller bearing ring, etc...?  Thanks again, John. 

[ShelbyDogg]

It's a little confusing John, because you can't see the outer (small) seal.

look at this pic.
The big INNER seal is in the housing and rides on #1.
the small OUTER seal is under the bearing at #2.
The foam gasket (from a dealer) sits flat on #3.

That's why I said, If you just had gear lube on your brakes, change the inner, then slide you axle back in.  If you had bearing grease on your brakes, change the outer.

That outer is a pain because that collar on top of it has to be cut off and the bearing has to be pressed off to get to it. Once off, it might as well be replaced.

Remember, NO GREEN BEARINGS ON A STREET CAR.

Rob

[ShelbyDogg]

New bearing might come with a new collar and seal.  Get them in hand before you start.

The bearing might be hard to press off because you have to have a thin plate under it on the press. That's why they just have you tear it apart, to save you time.  Are you sure that you want to change the outer seals?

[MyMopar]

Ok Mr. Dogg (if I may) I was thinking exactly what you posted in the pic.  Now I have these 2 comments and I should be all set.

#1, I had lots and lots of gearlube all over the brakes.  I didn't see any bearing grease anywhere.  So I can assume the outer seal is still good, unless the gear lube ruined it.  However, the fact that the axle didn't have the locking tab on the adjusting collar and it backed off and had lots of end play, I think the bearing might be bad or going bad.  Do you think that is a concern?  The bearing does look fine, no pitting and no discoloration so I am guessing that it is still a good piece.
Also it is easy to remove the shaft so if I want to take a chance and just do the inner seal and see what happens I can.  If I notice bearing grease or grinding type noises I'll know what the problem is already. 

#2, NO Green Bearings on street?  Now I know that the tapered bearing handles side loading much better than the ball bearings.  My problem is that I can't locate that special locking tab anywhere (Mopar Performance, Mancini, YearOne etcc.)  I talked to Carl at Randy's R&P and asked if they had that part.  He told me it is nothing they carry but he will check some parts out back and to call back.  He did recommend just going to the Green Bearings.  When I told him about tapered versus ball he just said that all the axles they do now have Green Bearings and that I really shouldn't be concerned.  He said perhaps people are installing them wrong causing failures on the street but they are just as good as any other bearing out there. 

Your comments and recommendations would be appreciated on these last two points.  I'm not afraid of doing anything or going back and doing something again, but I really need to finish this up so I can get to Carlisle at least I need it done enough so I can drive it for 760 miles before doing anything more. I do plan on regearing once I get back from Carlisle so I will be back into the rear soon.  Thanks again, John.

[ShelbyDogg]

Rob to you please, Shelby was my Dog that I miss dearly. Here's a pic of her on my seadoo. She loved water.

That inner seal could have still been good but for it's cheap price, replace it.  That adjuster being loose, let the axle jump all around allowing the lube to sneak past it. Those tapered bearings can't stay centered when they aren't seated correctly.  For now, I would replace the right inner seal, take off the bad shoes, carefully clean off all of the gear lube on the brake plate and drum with either safe brake cleaner or unsafe gasoline, clean my bearing and repack it, then put on new brakes, install and adjust the axle, then drive.     Use a little RTV on the retainer plate if you dont have the right gasket under it.

I've never used green bearings, except on my Dana axled race car. So I don't have any history with green ones besides what I read.  If yours look good, grease them up a little and reinstall them.  Get a locking tab from a PICK-N-PULL junk yard. 8-3/4 mopars are everywhere.  For now, make something that keeps it from rotating. You know what it should look like right?

[MyMopar]

Sorry and thanks Rob.  Shelby looks just like my neighbors Britney (sp).  She calls her Sweetie and she is.  A bit tempermental when we take care of her when her "mom" goes away. Sometimes she won't eat unless we spoon feed her!
Anyways, thanks for your help with this matter.  I'm going to get it all back together and hopefully go for a drive by Sunday.  And Yes I know what the locking tab looks like, a washer with a J hook like tab coming off of it. Thanks again, John.

[ShelbyDogg]

Thanks John, Glad to help out.  Go to a hardware store and look in the hardware section for something with a hole to modify and bend into a tab. That'll work till you find one in a junk yard or Carlisle.    I might see you there...bye
Rob

[MyMopar]

Hey why does   s p o o n   come up as sthingy?  Crazy word filter. 

[ShelbyDogg]

That's funny.  One time I typed "C O C K E Y E D" and it came up "thingyeyed"

[tactransman]

Here is a pic of an adjuster lock and a Green Bearing. 

[chrisII]

i would not have any worrys about properly installed green bearings. ive run them on circle track stock cars for several years with no problems. if they take that sideload, sideload is NOT an issue. they do have to be installed at the proper depth axel flange to mounting flange, but they are a god send! no more leaking , or adjusting. they just work!