SPONSORED LINKS

Right rear axle seal leaking has vertical bearing play

Tiny
ERIC888
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,000 MILES
The right rear axle seal is leaking, the brake shoes are soaked with gear oil, and there seems to be an excessive amount of vertical play at the bearing behind the seal. How much vertical play is acceptable? I plan on changing out the seal but need to know if I should change out the bearing also. The left side barely has any vertical play and the seal shows that it is just starting to leak.
SPONSORED LINKS
Thursday, September 21st, 2017 AT 3:26 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You definitely have to replace the bearing and possibly the axle also. The bad bearing is what ruined the seal. A new seal will just leak again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 21st, 2017 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,464 POSTS
Ideally you want zero play but I will let.001or so go as long as the axle is not showing any damage.
Be careful if you need a replacement axle, I would go to a yard for a used one before I trust most of the new ones. As you are going to be changing one, you may want to do both. And if the backer plates are rusty/worn, now would be a good time for those as well.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 21st, 2017 AT 7:07 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Differential Axle Seal Leak Content

Axle Seal Replacement
VIDEO
Axle Seal Replacement
Instructional repair video
Axle Bearing and Rear Seal Replacement Rear 1/2 ton
GUIDE
Axle Bearing and Rear Seal Replacement Rear 1/2 ton
Do you see gear oil leaking from the rear wheel? Is your vehicle making a roaring sound that follows the vehicle speed from the rear?  Do you wonder how difficult it is to...
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links