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  #1  
Old 06-12-2006, 12:45 PM
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For those of us who have Changed your half shafts

For those of you who have changed your half shafts, do you always replace the differential-to-half shaft seal? Or do you only change it if it appears as if its leaking.

I have done this job twice in the past on my previous car and have never changed the seal.

My understanding is that these seals are pretty robust and don't leak too often.

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Old 06-12-2006, 12:55 PM
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I have not changed the seals, and they are holding up, I suppose it somewhat depends on what the half shaft sealing surface is like as well...
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  #3  
Old 06-12-2006, 01:01 PM
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I really hated doing that job on my 81 wagon... I would not take the chance of having to take it apart again due to not putting in some relatively cheap new seals...
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  #4  
Old 06-12-2006, 01:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leathermang
I really hated doing that job on my 81 wagon... I would not take the chance of having to take it apart again due to not putting in some relatively cheap new seals...
i 2nd that
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  #5  
Old 06-12-2006, 01:28 PM
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Some of the MB halfshafts had oil grooves with helical paths cut into them at or near the seal surface. They were cut opposite ways for right and left axles. I wonder what bearing ( ) this has on use of aftermarket axles that may not have these grooves, or have them going the wrong way, and the ability of he seal to hold the oil in.
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Old 06-12-2006, 01:37 PM
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I've done this job twice and I reused the seals both times and I had no leaks afterward.
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  #7  
Old 06-12-2006, 01:45 PM
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I'm afraid I might be needing to do this job soon. How much do the halfshafts cost?
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  #8  
Old 06-14-2006, 06:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PatricdeBoer
I'm afraid I might be needing to do this job soon. How much do the halfshafts cost?
More than you would expect
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  #9  
Old 06-14-2006, 07:47 AM
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i have had about 5 or 6 halfshafts done over the years and never did the seals.

no problem on any of them

tom w
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  #10  
Old 06-14-2006, 11:21 AM
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MY indy did both half shafts last summer and said the seals were still good. I noticed a little oil spotting under one of the sides where it exits the diff after taking it out of winter storage, will keep my eye on it. It looks like you would still have plenty of oil in the diff even if the seals leaked because of their height where they exit - is this correct?

One of the few jobs I did not do because after all my reading on the subject I did not want to be laying on my back using jacks stands or a floorjack for something requiring that much tedious work. If I had a nice lift at my disposal I definitely would have tried it.
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Last edited by hockeynut; 06-14-2006 at 03:20 PM.
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  #11  
Old 06-14-2006, 01:51 PM
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They're worse than the front wheel bearing oil seal. A real pain to pry out, but my passenger side was all nasty looking. I think it was actually the fuel feed line that was leaking, but to make sure I decided to change the seal while doing the axle. The driver's side was fine, and still is.

I don't think you have to worry about them unless there's a problem.

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