Crown axle seals, do they suck?

[KJScott]

Left side axle seal leaking again. This is the second one now. New CV axles in perfect condition so I don't know why its leaking again. 2 in a month. Right side is fine which was also replaced last month with CV axle. Does Crown brand suck?

 

[eyehatetofu]

I have Crown seals and bearings and they have held up pretty well. Maybe it was damaged when you re-installed the CV? Did you check the surface where the seal seats for gouges in the metal? Something ain't right if you've went through 2 in a month.

 

[KJScott]

yeah I did a couple of nicks in the seat when I took the original out but I spread some Form-a-gasket on the seat and the surface of the seal. Then greased the axle and seal, and inserted carefully.

 

[streetglideok]

Did you inspect the short intermediate shaft for a groove worn into it? I used a seal driver to install my right side, and sourced it from the dealer. $15

 

[ridenby]

yeah I did a couple of nicks in the seat when I took the original out but I spread some Form-a-gasket on the seat and the surface of the seal. Then greased the axle and seal, and inserted carefully.

The nicks are the problem,possibly the bearing is worn some also. Half ass fixes get half ass results.
Was reading as the nicks where on the axle shaft not the seat of the seal. English is my second language.

 

[streetglideok]

Is it leaking from the rubber seal, or around the outer part of the seal where it sits in the housing? If it is the latter, might I suggest some aviation sealant to put on the outer edge of the new seal.

 

[tjkj2002]

I've been running into this a lot the last few months,shody remaned CV axles where they machine down the seal surface to far and it never fully seals.Even had a issue with a "new" CV axle also from Cardone.


I've seen this with 3 different remaned companies to include Napa in the last 2 months.

 

[streetglideok]

Cardone=barf. I know, that's all the service writers seem interested in selling, but ick. Nothing like having to fix the splines on their reman shafts before installing.

 

[KJScott]

I've been running into this a lot the last few months,shody remaned CV axles where they machine down the seal surface to far and it never fully seals.Even had a issue with a "new" CV axle also from Cardone.


I've seen this with 3 different remaned companies to include Napa in the last 2 months.

I was wonder about that tjkj, the seal is definitely leaking at the axle shaft. I wiped everything dry last night and with a Q tip today, only thing wet is the shaft and where it wept down again. Have your jobs been leaking even using a Mopar seal? Sounds like my only option is to have Napa get another one in store, and mic it and the one I have now. Or search for a seal of slightly smaller diameter which is unlikely to find. Thanks tjkj and everyone's input.
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The few nicks were minor, no where near the bearings. I like the Form-a-gasket, a very thin skim coat for added to the seat, for sealing if needed of minor nicks, and to aid with removal since there is steel and aluminum contact.

 

[KJScott]

I picked up my Mopar seal tonight and did a comparison to the crown seal that was first installed and used only two weeks. The Mopar seal is heavier but due to the grease they pack in the lip and the seal material near the seat. Big difference is the seal hole is slightly smaller than the Crown seal. Hopfully this will be the ticket to the seal to axle leak fix. About 1/32nd difference diameter.

 

[KJScott]

My verdict is in. Yes Crown axle seals suck. Installed the Mopar seal Friday and no more leak. Good news is I can R and R an axle seal in less than 50 minutes. 3 times will do that. Lol!

 

[streetglideok]

Lol, been there, done that. It always ***** redoing something, especially when you did it right, and it's just a junk part. Now when I do the diff swap on mine, it'll get all new mopar seals, just for insurance.

 

[KJScott]

Yup, Mopar seals!