[o3gerber]

Ok I have a 2002 2500hd 4x4 with the 6.0, It has a 6in lift with 35in tires. I changed the passenger side rear wheel bearing seal three times in the past 6 months. I replaced both inner and outer bearings each time they where bad. After a couple weeks of driving it starts to leak rear end fluid, it is a full floating axel. Once it starts to leak i keep the rear end full of fluid to prevent the bearings from going. I installed everything correctly each time and made sure that it is fully seated onto the spindel. I have checked the area where the seal mates with the spindel and there is no sign of roughness or burs. I eye balled the axel and it seems to be straight. I have run out of ideas, does any one have any ideas or have ever heard of a problem like this?
thanks

 

[donl]

Have you made sure your differential vent tube isn't plugged?

 

[tbplus10]

I'm gonna guess you off-road this truck, if the vent tube isnt plugged is it possible you bent an axle shaft or axle tube?

 

[o3gerber]

yeah that was another thing that i checked was the vent tube, i could blow thru it so i figured it was good. I have never really done any serious off roading with the truck, i just take it thru a little mud once and a while

 

[j cat]

Ok I have a 2002 2500hd 4x4 with the 6.0, It has a 6in lift with 35in tires. I changed the passenger side rear wheel bearing seal three times in the past 6 months. I replaced both inner and outer bearings each time they where bad. After a couple weeks of driving it starts to leak rear end fluid, it is a full floating axel. Once it starts to leak i keep the rear end full of fluid to prevent the bearings from going. I installed everything correctly each time and made sure that it is fully seated onto the spindel. I have checked the area where the seal mates with the spindel and there is no sign of roughness or burs. I eye balled the axel and it seems to be straight. I have run out of ideas, does any one have any ideas or have ever heard of a problem like this?
thanks

I did a while back. bent axle.

 

[o3gerber]

could you tell it was bent? im sick of dealing with it so im gonna get a new axel and hub from the pick a parts and see what happens

 

[j cat]

when the axle was pulled out the bearing area on the axle looked uneven where the wear marks where , then the axle was checked to see if it was bent and right at the bearing area this is were it was damaged. the axle was leaking on the brakes. after that I never had any leaks. I only had a slight vibration prior to this axle being bent. I was hit slightly in an accident. I guess it hit just right , to throw the axle off. the rim was not damaged or tire. so these axles are soft.

 

[2COR517]

How are you setting the bearing pre-load?

 

[j cat]

bearing preload is the carrier pinion bearing . that should not change unless the diff was rebuilt. I leave that to those who do these diff rebuilds often.

axle seal/bearing is simple r/r.

 

[2COR517]

Pinion bearing preload is pinion bearing preload. Wheel bearing preload is different. Same idea, different bearings. The wheel bearings on a full floater are two tapered roller bearings, like pinion bearings and older style front wheel bearings. They need to be preloaded according to the specific procedure. If his bearings are not tight enough, that could cause the hub to wobble and wear the seal.

BTW, pinion and carrier are two different things.

 

[j cat]

the wheel bearing adjustment on this is to torque the adjusting nut to 50 ft lbs. then back off nut to 1/4 turn . then tighten the adjusting nut to 13ft lbs. move nut to closest key slot ,install cotter key..

after installling axle the axle should slide in and out very slightly....if not this will need some tweeking..

 

[2COR517]

You don't know the difference between a pinion, carrier, and wheel bearing - and now your giving preload specs? Specs that may not even apply to his truck depending on which axle it's equipped with.

What is this tweaking you are referring to? The axle shaft should not have any movement once bolted to the hub on a full floating axle.

 

[j cat]

this wheel bearing adjusting came from a OEM shop manual for this vehicle. the axle bearing when properly adjusted should cause the axle to move in/out slightly if not THE MANUAL NOT I stated it must be reajusted to have this play.

 

[2COR517]

So how is it adjusted?

 

[dpeter]

OK, so at the risk of wrath from 2COR517, on a full floating axle the seal never touches it does it? I am familiar with dodge and ford full floaters and the axles are bolted to the hub and there is NO chance for movement.
Obviously I have no releavent input to help you, but I am curious about how the GM rear is set up. Anyone have an exploded veiw of this wheel bearing and axle assembly?

 

[2COR517]

Seal never touches what? The axle shaft? No.

All three full float axles are built about the same. On the GM Corporate 10 1/2" full floater the axle flange is secured directly to the hub by eight hardened studs. Conical washers and fine thread nuts tightened in excess of 100ft/lbs. ZERO play.

It's not a wrath. He attempted to discredit my question, and subject knowledge, but instead proceeded to illustrate his lack of knowledge on the topic at hand. It's a pet peeve of mine when guys spew out facts and procedures when they don't know what they are talking about.

These Forums are a great way for guys to learn and share info. But you have to learn first. Even though I have been turning wrenches for more than 25 years, I still learn something on these pages everyday. But I only give advice and suggestions on subjects I am very familiar with. Subjects I have either thoroughly studied or learned by experience, or usually, both. I don't post on every thread, because I don't have experience with every topic. It's common courtesy for everyone to do the same.

 

[o3gerber]

I never had the special wrench so i just used a hammer and a punch, but i always tightened her down good to make sure the bearings are set in

---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------

Thanks for getting this into my problem guys, i love this forum people really care!

 

[smc4eight]

Actually just rebuilt one of these rear ends at work yesterday. The cheap "snap ring" if you want to call it that on the end broke, causing the key to fall out, damaging the threads on the end of the axle. This caused the axle seal to leak. Thought maybe that was your problem but it sounds like its taken care of.

 

[o3gerber]

Thats what i found the first time i rebuilt it, but i replaces the key and the snap ring and havent had it fall off again

 

[Lynch66]

I have a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD and I had the same problem. I changed the axle seals three times! I then spoke to a mechanic that has changed probably hundreds of these and he told me to use a High Temp RTV (the black stuff) on the metal flange on the seal. It hasn't leaked since!