Front Axle Leak

Question. I have this going on. Also leaking inside wheel. Pulled off drums and brakes are dry. Kept going and pulled off brake backing plate and oil ran out. Knuckles were empty of grease. Last time anybody was in the knuckles was my father and I late 70's. Does grease break down into liquid or are my inner seals shot on my Dana 27
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Knuckles should be filled with an appropriate lubricant as specified in the FSM, not grease.

If leaking inside wheel, and brakes are dry it does sound like the inner seals in the axle tubes are shot. On the Dana 27 there are two seals in the tubes to keep the gear oil in the pumpkin from migrating into the outer tubes. There is a shield on the backing plate that diverts this leakage out the back of the plate so it doesn't grease your brakes.

You will have to pull the axles, and remove the carrier to replace those seals, but it isn't a difficult job, and it will be an excellent opportunity to service the knuckles and King pin bearings.

 

I can't see a picture but you do not normally want straight grease in the knuckles. If the knuckles held oil and it is not from the pumpkin you are better off than most. Put it back together and top the knuckle off with more. I do run heavy gear oil in my knuckles after packing the kingpin bearings with grease.

 

A leak from a knuckle has the lubricant leaking out around the sphere, not inside the wheel. The description points toward bad inner axle seals letting the gear oil into the tubes.

 

Yes, upon getting it all apart I am sure it is the seals. 2 questions. 1. There is a groove in the axle where the seal has been rubbing. I know you can't see it but should I look into a speedi sleeve or something or should new gaskets take care of it? 2. Since I am just pulling the carrier out, do I need to recalibrate backlash, pinion alignment etc or just reinstall carrier as it came out? Thank you so much for the above reply

 

All, thanks so much for the replies. After getting it all apart it is the inner seals. Contemplating speedi sleeve also since axle is grooved. Any recommendations on where to get inner seals? I know kaiser, RFJP, jeepsterman etc has them. Wondering if any other better sources. Thanks!

 

Can't beat RFJP, and I would choose them over KW.

Since you are only pulling the carrier out you will not need to adjust backlash, but you need to mark the bearing caps and make sure they, and the bearings, go back in the same place and orientation they came out.

 

I doubled up the seals when I put mine together so the seal had a good fresh surface to ride on.

 

That’s a great call out marking the caps

 

Now that is a great idea. I noticed it is deep enough to accept 2 seals. Did you orient both the same direction? Thanks

 

Both went in the same. Probably rock hard by now. I figured it was easier/cheaper than a speedi and there was room.

 

All. Well, all back together and no leaks. Yes, not too bad of a job but took quite awhile. Did the 2 seals per side per an answer above. Thanks for the idea. Also new Kingpin bearings and races. Could only get 12 lbs even with no shims so will see how it feels on the road. Thanks for all the info everybody.