front axle seal leaking

[Cav Trooper]

I've notice the left front hub seal leaking oil. My assumpion is that the inner axle seal has gone south. I figure the bushings probably worn also. I have the tools to do the job and have bought the seals, bushings and new hub seals. Now the question, other than common sense and using the manual and snippets I've gotten for bearing preload, is there anything that might bite me on doing the bushing and seal replacement. I know the axle shafts might be worn and the universal joints out of tolerance but I'll live with them. The truck sees a few parades and cruiseins and that's about it. A 30 mile trip is the longest I do once or twice a year. I'm just trying to keep wheel bearings from dying. Half a day job?

CT

[Elwood]

For one side, first time, with all of the parts on hand, half a day ought to do it. But allow for a full day, just in case.

If you've never had an M37 knuckle apart, these might help familiarize you with what to expect:

http://imageevent.com/moosecreekmaple/steeringknuckle

http://www.m37rebuild.com/Suspension%20 ... Items.aspx

[Cav Trooper]

Well, I hadn't planned on rebuilding the knuckles but, I guess if I have the spindles off, I might. Just need to buy the bearings and seal kits.

Thanks for the links and info, they will come in handy. I do have the manuals.

CT

[RMS]

every axle I have serviced suffered from brinelling on the cups.
if you are going to split the knuckles make sure you use a high quality super hard punch to drive the pins out. don't forget to fork one tie rod off before you split the knuckles...makes shimming for the pre load easier.
if the truck is not used off road and it spends little time on tarmac you may consider changing out the brass bearing for a tapered roller bearing to lighten the steering.

[Cav Trooper]

Started on the knuckle rebuild today. Got everything apart. Not a big chore, more degreasing than anything else. Found left front inner axle has pitting on the oil seal journal. I tried to polish it out but, still had a ridge and I decided to buy a new one, not cheap.. Now all is clean and ready to reassemble. The trunnion bearings were tight and there was only a small bright spot on the upper cone. I'm still replacing all of it. Spindle looked like it had a bearing spun and the seal journal on it was grooved also, another new part from MWM. I have to do one side at a time since I don't have room in the garage to get both axles out at the same time. Crossing my fingers that just the bearings and seals will need replaced since the right side is not leaking.