Leaking Rear Axle Seal

[skitches]

Anyone had rear axle seal leak? Did you figure out why it just started leaking as it is a static seal with not any movement of the seal to cause a leak. Did they have to replace the studs and cone shape inserts also?

[Ray,IN]

On what?

[153stars]

In the about me section/ Its not me though lol
RV Manufacturer
Monaco
RV Model
Diplomat
RV Year
2002
RV Length
40

[twinboat]

It's a static seal if the fasteners are tight, otherwise the torque of the drive train and differential are trying to bend them studs as they turn the tires.

The slightest movement will cause the gasket or sealer to fail.

If it was loose for a while, the stud threads and cones get chewed up. Worst case, the threads in the hub wallow out and that's shot to.

[Ray,IN]

Since the differential oil also lubricates the rear axle bearings; during the process of replacing the axle hub gaskets, I'd closely inspect the axle bearings while the axle is loose.
After re-assembly, if you haven't already drained the rear axle, do so and replace the differential oil
It does go bad over the years and turns acidic.
I replaced the diff. oil in my MH and it was so bad the oil burned and irritated my hands. They were so red, DW thought I'd spilled battery acid on them.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Check the axle breather. If it's plugged, pressure builds with warming up if it's running down the road, or just ambiant temp changes.

Pressure puts a load on all seals and if there's one that's a little iffy, it will leak.

[vito.a]

There's a paper gasket between the axle flange & the hub and they fail.

To repair it you remove the chrome hub cover, then the axle retaining nuts. Slide the axle out. It's a full floating axle so there is no weight on it. But to reduce oil loss, it helps to jack that side up a couple of inches.
Then scrape the paper gasket from both surfaces.

There are two schools of thought for repair. Install another paper gasket, or use some Ultra Grey gasket sealer. The paper gaskets fail, but if you use gasket sealer it is difficult to slide the axle out next time.
Good luck!

[kenwyatt]

Yes, happen to me just after starting a trip. Found a couple were loose so I re-torqued them, checked the diff fluid level, cleaned the wheel about 4 times to get them to stay clean during the trip. Solved the issue. Figure if it starts again I will replace the gasket. So far I have done a little over 3,000 miles with no leaks. Checked the other side and re-torqued it as well. No leaks but did get some movement on them. Coach had 72,000 miles and I am fairly sure it had never been done. It’s a family coach so I know the history.

[skitches]

My originally began after a towing company tried to remove the wedge keepers around the studs and bent some while trying to hit the center hub with a sledge hammer. Cummins replaced the studs and keepers but after a short trip it began to leak again so Cummins is taking care of the repair since it is under warranty repair. Hopefully they get it right this time, I don't have time to keep carrying it back to repair it. I don't think I will every have it towed again, only put it on a low deck and haul it.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by skitches

My originally began after a towing company tried to remove the wedge keepers around the studs and bent some while trying to hit the center hub with a sledge hammer. Cummins replaced the studs and keepers but after a short trip it began to leak again so Cummins is taking care of the repair since it is under warranty repair. Hopefully they get it right this time, I don't have time to keep carrying it back to repair it. I don't think I will every have it towed again, only put it on a low deck and haul it.

You can have it towed, just make them remove the drive shaft instead of the 2 axles.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by twinboat

You can have it towed, just make them remove the drive shaft instead of the 2 axles.

And make sure whoever removes the driveshaft, marks the position correctly. An out of time driveshaft will caused problems later.