Leaking front axle seal

So here’s what’s going on…

replaced both front axles with Napa’s extended axles install was good except passenger side seal keeps leaking I replaced seal twice already but still leaking drivers side is fine I checked breather hoses they seem to be good. Going to try to replace again I had it flush with that first lip you see don’t know if that is to far in or not far enough? could bearings be bad I don’t know they seemed fine. Also should shaft have a little play once you bang the shaft in and set the ring inside or should it be tight with no play at all?

 

Here’s a pic a lot on this one considering I just made a 4 hour drive but just sitting doesn’t leak much

 

Was it leaking before you installed the new shaft? If it just started with the new shaft I would look at the sealing surface of the new shaft and see if there are any nicks etc.

If you still have the old shaft I would measure the diameter of the sealing area.

When you pull the shaft back out I would run my finger around the seal and see if it feels smooth.

 

No it wasn’t leaking before only after I plan to take it back off tomorrow I will check

what do you mean by dealing surface?

 

I would of thought it would be the same since the drivers side isn’t leaking and I compared the new shaft with the old one same lengths and everything

 

The seal will ride on a part of the cv-shaft (sealing surface). If that somehow got a nick or other damage it could be damaging the seal lip. But, I would think if you run your finger around the seal lip you would feel it. If the shaft were used it might have a groove from wear but since it is new it should be smooth.

If you are going to install a new seal I would first see how it fits around the seal surface. It is possible that either the size of the seal or the size of the cv-shaft seal surface is not the correct size. I have seen it on aftermarket stuff before.

 

This is the answer.

 

Do you still have your old axles? By process of elimination, if you put the old axles back on and the leak stops, then you know the problem is with the new CV axle and would be a great time to use that Napa warranty.