Axleshaft Question

Just got the u-joints redone and was putting the shafts back in when I started wondering if there was a seal that goes on the inner driveshaft? There were none there seems like there should be. Went to local Autozone and Advance Auto and they said it didn't call for one but it shows one in the 4WD catalog. :AMC:

 

the seal is farther down the axle tube
it is serviced by removing the carrier assy (ring gear, spiders etc)
no seal from factory where you have indicated in your pic to my knowledge
some aftermarket folks have started making something for that spot to keep mud and crud out
don't know if they are available for D30 yet
you might see the seal wear marks at the other end of the shaft near the splines

 

There is no seal out there its just as jpflat2a said, its near the diff end.

I'm not sure but I believe they did that because the u-joints will not allow the shaft to turn perfectly concentric all the way out there. Just as the rear drive shaft u-joints need to be 'in phase' to run smooth the front axle joints will have similar issues when turned. May not be much lateral movement, but I wonder how well those axle end seals really work.

Kevo

 

Thanks for the help. Is it hard to replace the axle tube seals? When I pulled the diff cover it had about a quarter inch of dirt in the bottom. And when I reached up inside the axle tube there was mud and crud about a 1/4" thick there too. I don't know if the mud is getting through the tubes or through the pumpkin. The PO had blue rtv sealant for the gasket.

 

As already stated there is an inner axle seal at the diff pumpkin. That said, what I did years ago on the dana 44 in the front of my 79 blazer was to take a poly shock boot, and cut the end off and slipped it over the axle shaft. As I recall it fit perfectly and "looked" like it would really help to keep mud/crud from getting in there. I can't remember how long I made it, some experimentation and test fit would be in order. I'm guessing a dana 30 shaft might be a little thinner so it might not fit as well. Did this about 10 years ago and haven't had it apart again to see any results. I did have the diff cover off about 5 years ago and it came out clean, and this is a mud truck.

I believe someone is making machined aluminum pieces with a seal in them for newer jeeps.