Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
to keep it from turning.

As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...

Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
than the fixes it might need.

Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.

If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
try and hold the bearing in place.

I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
then just went and got a new spindle.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Deano wrote:
>
> Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> to keep it from turning.
>
> As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
>
> Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
than the fixes it might need.

Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.

If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
try and hold the bearing in place.

I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
then just went and got a new spindle.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Deano wrote:
>
> Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> to keep it from turning.
>
> As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
>
> Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
than the fixes it might need.

Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.

If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
try and hold the bearing in place.

I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
then just went and got a new spindle.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Deano wrote:
>
> Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> to keep it from turning.
>
> As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
>
> Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Thanks for the reply, Mike.

(although it doesn't sound good)

By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
with the fit of the bearing in the housing?

Mike Romain wrote:
> Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> than the fixes it might need.
>
> Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
>
> If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> try and hold the bearing in place.
>
> I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> then just went and got a new spindle.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Deano wrote:
> >
> > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > to keep it from turning.
> >
> > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> >
> > Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Thanks for the reply, Mike.

(although it doesn't sound good)

By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
with the fit of the bearing in the housing?

Mike Romain wrote:
> Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> than the fixes it might need.
>
> Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
>
> If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> try and hold the bearing in place.
>
> I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> then just went and got a new spindle.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Deano wrote:
> >
> > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > to keep it from turning.
> >
> > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> >
> > Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

Thanks for the reply, Mike.

(although it doesn't sound good)

By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
with the fit of the bearing in the housing?

Mike Romain wrote:
> Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> than the fixes it might need.
>
> Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
>
> If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> try and hold the bearing in place.
>
> I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> then just went and got a new spindle.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Deano wrote:
> >
> > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > to keep it from turning.
> >
> > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> >
> > Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

The 'front' wheel bearing in a CJ7 rides on a spindle like the rear one
rides on the axle. If you spin either bearing on the 'inside' it burn
the axle or spindle out. If the outside spins, then you need a new hub
(or tube). I have had that happen too, the hub.

In your case it is the rear and the outside that sounds spun so worst
case is you need a whole new or used rear end or at least the tube on
one side.

'Sometimes' peening can work....

Sometimes a used rear end is 'way' cheaper than fixing what you have....

Mike

Deano wrote:
>
> Thanks for the reply, Mike.
>
> (although it doesn't sound good)
>
> By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
> with the fit of the bearing in the housing?
>
> Mike Romain wrote:
> > Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> > end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> > than the fixes it might need.
> >
> > Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> > dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> > larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> > there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
> >
> > If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> > the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> > try and hold the bearing in place.
> >
> > I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> > then just went and got a new spindle.
> >
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
> >
> > Deano wrote:
> > >
> > > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > > to keep it from turning.
> > >
> > > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> > >
> > > Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

The 'front' wheel bearing in a CJ7 rides on a spindle like the rear one
rides on the axle. If you spin either bearing on the 'inside' it burn
the axle or spindle out. If the outside spins, then you need a new hub
(or tube). I have had that happen too, the hub.

In your case it is the rear and the outside that sounds spun so worst
case is you need a whole new or used rear end or at least the tube on
one side.

'Sometimes' peening can work....

Sometimes a used rear end is 'way' cheaper than fixing what you have....

Mike

Deano wrote:
>
> Thanks for the reply, Mike.
>
> (although it doesn't sound good)
>
> By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
> with the fit of the bearing in the housing?
>
> Mike Romain wrote:
> > Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> > end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> > than the fixes it might need.
> >
> > Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> > dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> > larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> > there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
> >
> > If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> > the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> > try and hold the bearing in place.
> >
> > I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> > then just went and got a new spindle.
> >
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
> >
> > Deano wrote:
> > >
> > > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > > to keep it from turning.
> > >
> > > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> > >
> > > Dean

Re: Advice needed - recurring rear axle oil seal leak
 

The 'front' wheel bearing in a CJ7 rides on a spindle like the rear one
rides on the axle. If you spin either bearing on the 'inside' it burn
the axle or spindle out. If the outside spins, then you need a new hub
(or tube). I have had that happen too, the hub.

In your case it is the rear and the outside that sounds spun so worst
case is you need a whole new or used rear end or at least the tube on
one side.

'Sometimes' peening can work....

Sometimes a used rear end is 'way' cheaper than fixing what you have....

Mike

Deano wrote:
>
> Thanks for the reply, Mike.
>
> (although it doesn't sound good)
>
> By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
> with the fit of the bearing in the housing?
>
> Mike Romain wrote:
> > Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> > end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> > than the fixes it might need.
> >
> > Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> > dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> > larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> > there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
> >
> > If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> > the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> > try and hold the bearing in place.
> >
> > I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> > then just went and got a new spindle.
> >
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
> >
> > Deano wrote:
> > >
> > > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > > to keep it from turning.
> > >
> > > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> > >
> > > Dean