rear seals leaking

**JayTA98** · 05-03-2011, 05:13 AM

ok so i replaced my rear axle bearing bearings and seals like 8 months ago. I noticed a very smal leak in one of the seals. I drips maybe a drop but is not spraying every place.

My question is do seals go bad that often? I used timken bearings and seals.
I heard of people putting some RTV when installing the axles back to help seal better. any suggestions? thanks.

**oldmanZ28** · 05-03-2011, 01:54 PM

RTV on the OD of the seal to seal it to the housing.
Did you clean-up/condition the axle surface that the seal spins against ?

**JayTA98** · 05-03-2011, 02:22 PM

If i remember correctly I cleaned and wiped the race area of the axle. I also keep the axle in the center position while I put it back in.

So the RVT is on the outside of the seal? the metal ring that fits in the rear axle tube? I can see the leak is from the rubber area in between the axle race and the seal itself.

**pajeff02** · 05-03-2011, 05:25 PM

I wiped a thin film of RTV around the axle tube before installing the seals in my 12 bolt. I remember that 35th had a hell of a time with an axle seal in his 9".

**35th-ANV-SS** · 05-03-2011, 05:43 PM

Correct. Use RTV on the OD of the seal to where it seats against the ID of the housing.

Also put gear oil on the axle before sliding it on.

Here is my thread on my 9". Been good ever since! 3rd time was a charm for me

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...=123054&page=1