How To Replace Inner Axle Seals

Do you have oil leaking out your axle tubes? In this video I will show you how to replace your leaky old inner axle seals, from start to finish. Along with that I will show you how to add aftermarket outer seals.Today I will be working on a Dana 30 but this process is similar to most solid front axles. If you have any other questions please comment below, I would be happy to help.
Thanks for watching, Please Comment, Rate and Subscribe!
Music used in this video:
Last Second by Silent Partner

[@ronchadwick8552]

I'm so impressed with your knowledge of replacing these bearings. Your manner of explaining the step-by-step process is invaluable to beginners. I just came back from the Mojave desert and one side is leaking, a lot. So now with your instructional video I will proceed with Pure confidence and changing all my seal As I read some of your comments, I am truly impressed that the younger generation is intrested in jeeping.I I would hope and pray that you would have other videos To help all of us. Thank you sincerely from Ronnie

[@OffRoadOverlandCamping]

Wow, great video. It's great to see the younger generations working on their Jeeps!

[@bdc7273]

Yea I have a rusty 01 Wrangler as my first vehicle and it's all fun and games until u get a bolt that's stuck.

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

I'm going to have to replace the front axle seals in my '88 XJ and your video gave me exactly what I needed - very clear, well-organized and detailed. Thanks!!!

[@ampman76]

Man, that's some clean fluid. I thought crystal clear spring water was pouring out.

[@DanMcD80]

front doesnt see much gear wear when your mostly free wheeling in 2wd

[@scottseifert4086]

Great video, good detailed work. Makes you really wonder who is taking the time to do it right in a shop.

[@BAWLS2894]

Thank you for making this video. I've been looking alot and it seems you are the only one not to skip steps.

[@robtrudeau9658]

Gotta say I'm pretty impressed with your video...the fact that someone 1/2 my age did this with such confidence and knowledge makes me a lot more comfortable with doing it myself!!! Thanks for the video!

[@bnavqm]

Great video, I have a 2013 wrangler. But this was the best video I have seen to change the seals.

[@flybyflutter]

Thank you for such an informative video! Really appreciate you showing each step and what to look out for.

[@Linton69]

Nice job. I feel like I can now do this to my Jeep! Thanks for the walk through!

[@dougwelch116]

Well done sir. Very glad I took time to view this.

[@genewise2802]

Outjeeping, you've made one of the greatest, if not the greatest "how to" videos! Don't change a thing about them. Thanks!

[@matts_.4494]

Best video I've seen on this subject so far. I have seen a lot of folks running without an outer seal, or even the plastic dust shield. Always looked like a bad idea to me to have the end of the axle open like that.

[@WreckNTech]

Very informative video and helpful tips to surpass situations without mandatory tools. Thanks! 🙂

[@klb1956]

Well done and very informative step by step explanation. Thank you for your post.

[@dougbourdo2589]

Nice job. First time I have seen the grease outer seals done.

[@jeffgrimm8887]

Excellent step by step video. It's good to see the whole process before I do Mine. Thanks

[@MrFixit1]

You are very well spoken. Great video

[@diablocell]

Front passenger is leaking on my 09 JK. You made it look nice and easy, great video

[@marc6093]

Very nice video, you explained, and did everything very well. Thank you!!!!!

[@ludovicbaudoindajoux6677]

Very well done. Very simple step by step instructions. Congrats for a job well done.

[@overspray6057]

Yeah, I just did front axle u joints for the 2nd time (130K miles) and the passenger side seal apparently went kapoot on the install. This vid helps a lot. Makes me feel comfortable about doing the seal change. Stay cool.

[@jasonmalmquist7889]

Great video, seeing those outer seals go in is pretty cool, I've got the parts coming for a 2005 TJ that's my son's we are doing when it gets here. My brother was a long time mechanic in Houston, only piece he added, when it's all apart, he runs a pole through and has shop towels that he feeds to get that axle shaft cleaned out and gets the dirt out of there. The outer seals look like they'll end that issue, ha.

[@n2dabloo]

Very informative video. It looks like everything you did would also work on my JK. I just installed new ball joints on my JK when I noticed my inner seals were bad. I’m shocked that Jeep doesn’t sell their product with outer seals.

[@nicparker3809]

I would give you a A+ . Refreshing to see a man who is complete as well as lending in their instructions... You should be a school teacher.. They need people like you...Stellar Sir.

[@MaquinasDePalomitas]

I’ve fixed so much stuff on my xj thanks to this guy.

[@allanlavallee7171]

Excellent video. I am about to do this job of my 03 3500 dodge and this made it look simple.

[@razzle308]

Awesome clear detailed video. Good work and thanks 👍

[@savage22bolt32]

Thanks so much! A very thorough & professional vid. And you speak clearly, a bonus for the hearing challenged.

[@ryangarrett7281]

Only vid I've found on here that shows the outer seals being done. Thanks man good vid. I find that it's 8out od 10 times to only b the outside seal. Changed mine twice in the past 2 years on my mail delivery jeep.

[@jasonmalmquist7889]

Ryan, these outer "seals" are great, but they only are there to keep dirt and mud and anything else out of the axle shaft. If differential fluid is leaking out to there, the inner needs to be replaced. I like those outer for that, but if you have a leak on the inner, your diff will be toast if the outer holds in the fluid and you don't see it, there's not enough to fill the axle and keep that diff full. If you have fluid coming out, the inner seals have to be replaced, in my experience.

[@ryangarrett7281]

@@jasonmalmquist7889 thx Most of time my vent tube gets clogged from going down dirt roads everyday and it starts seeping past outer seal or pinion seal due to pressure buildup but once i clear vent tube it stops leaking. My vent tube bolt thing is stripped so it comes out of axle and sometimes water and dirt get in and screw up seals. Thats y i change em so often. I need 2 quit being lazy and remove axle and tap tht hole but hey what can i say. F it

[@nickd.4512]

Just found this video, good explanation and steps through process. I've gotta do front axle seals on my 02 wrangler for inspection this month. Time wise, looks like it took better part of the afternoon/evening. This should definitely be easier than chasing down and fixing the electrical issues in my wife's grand cherokee! Mechanical good, electrical sucks🙃

[@hawkie333]

Thanks for this video....just did mine. BTW, in a Dana 60 you can actually hammer the new seals inside the pumpkin with the driver, no handle.

[@donmckenzie1540]

Very nicely done great video lot of attention to detail

[@767dag]

It’s very refreshing to see a younger man , “kid “ doing this . Awesome!

[@bradleybenedict7737]

Very informative and helpful. Thanks.

[@joerobinson7141]

Really good video, you do a good job of detailing the whole project out. My front seals went and have been looking at lots of video’s, yours is the best I’ve seen!!! Thanks for making this, feel like I’m ready to go now!!!

[@JamesBahrey]

Joe Robinson heck yeah this guy made it look easy, big job but I think I’ll tackle it this weekend

[@user-yc6mv4bu5o]

Great video. Thanks for posting this video.

[@Colorado4x4]

Excellent video! Great job on this. Thanks a lot.

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

Great video very thorough. I gotta do mine this weekend. Subscribed

[@icdamndust]

Thank you for posting!

[@Cutter189]

Great video! I'll be tackling this soon🤘

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Great tutorial! Thanks bro!😎👍

[@Ashroyer86]

Bro cool. I had the same idea. I found that the 36mm socket fit just right and I also bought washers to weld together and put on the end of a long piece of 2x2 incase the socket method wouldn't work. I have a dana 44 in the front so the 1 seal was going to be a challenge. Cool to see someone was thinking like me for once.

[@bakermade7545]

Great Video! Thanks I will be doing this very soon! you make it look easy. Subscribed!

[@jaketaylor8543]

Nice job! Very useful video!

[@briansulak2314]

Thanks 4 posting!

[@MultiHairypotter]

Thank you very much sir. Excellent video and helped me .

[@jasonrowland1584]

I used 1/2” bolt rod, 2 washers and bolts to draw in the inner seals. Center it up and draw it in until tight. But I have the Dana 30 with the disconnected axle on the passenger side.

[@Co0lvidz]

Great video. I finished replacing mine on my 1975 F250 “Highboy” 4x4 with the Dana 44 front on Friday. Thanks to your thorough video, I was able to do it. Haha I had to buy and use a 38mm socket for the “custom tool.” I had this wooden flag pole that I gorilla taped an extension onto the end. This was not fun haha but now I’m trail ready good to go. The Chilton manual left me in the dark on these seals. Thank you again.

[@bobquattrini1787]

Nice job!!Alot of work for $4.. Hahaha!!! I'm doing mine in a few weeks..My 1999 Xj has almost 330,000 miles and is just like new.. Little repairs like this are very labor intensive.

[@raymonds5069]

Keep up the good work

[@jakobteller418]

Great video thank you

[@freedomin4low344]

Very well done video. Just a suggestion though, next time you have your diff cover off, use a Lube locker gasket instead of RTV, you'll thank yourself the next time.

[@HectorGarcia-eo1lq]

Great job

[@vk4jsn]

Great video dude

[@richtyler1353]

Freggin awesome video. Thank you

[@duuurs]

Seems like an opportune time to do U-Joints while you're at it....but a great video! Thank you sir!

[@MangoTangoJKU]

Nice job on the video.

[@bluesriot2]

great job there young timer !!!

[@gasperajdnik5627]

Tanks mate 😎 I have a 2020 ford ranger wildtrak

[@rigobertovera2931]

Nice job

[@hypotheseabdo9479]

Good work

[@nalgene247]

Loving the Armstrong USA ratchet you have there

[@louisDIMOPOULOS]

nice job

[@run2thefight]

Pretty smart

[@jerrywhalen2100]

Two things nice video and I think I'll have to do mine outside because I won't have room in my garage to put a broomstick through the axle. Haha.

[@dereckvankirk8421]

I love your work Bubba can you please do a video on how to put lockers in front and rear axles? That would be awesome

[@outdoorisbetterdh.]

Nice video.

[@billdunckel5392]

I watched another video and yours was way better, great job young man! Can I ask you how much fluid the jeep diff requires?

[@onebaddj]

Nice job dude. Bout to knock thos out on my 2010 Dodge 2500

[@767dag]

Nice

[@user-vu3xb7qn8g]

Great job! Good narration. I wish it was as easy as you made it look.

[@mikeburch2998]

Not a bad time to do a front brake job as well.

[@MyBacktrail]

nice

[@jovannyarias3321]

Awesome clear detailed video, part number for the inner seals?

[@halligan1221]

Just curious if I should check the backlash before I take the carrier out? A few videos show it being checked and some don’t show it being checked. Just curious of what I should do before taking it out. Thanks and good video

[@fhuckyew8583]

about to do it this weekend. maybe i can use a piece of allthread to drive it instead of hammering

[@dunebasher1971]

Good video, thanks. So you don't have to go through the whole process of diff setup as long as the shims go back in the right place?

[@OutJeeping]

Pretty much, on a Dana 30 axle I showed in the video the shims were pressed in between the carrier bearing and the carrier so I didn't have to worry about them falling out on this install.

[@woodsnwater28]

What is the orange stuff by the seal? I also get the diff must go back in the way it came as in when u said it goes in the same side but does the pinion have to meet the diff exactly the way it came out?? Or can u just put it back in and make sure its turning and its good??

[@Cfass1]

Great video. How do you know how far to seat the inner seal. Is there a certain depth or is there a inner lip and you stop hammering when you’re bottomed out.

[@OutJeeping]

Cfass1 There is a lip in the axle tube where they bottom out and you'll know when you hit it.

[@MC-eh2ot]

How long are those extensions when installing new seals?

[@bwalk2274]

What kind of seals do I need to buy or get for the inner seals ?? I couldn’t figured it out ....

[@rwooten67]

Top Tip. Get a lube locker. All that RTV had me squeamish. Other than that excellent work. Good & helpful video.

[@TheMorgancalhoun]

replaced these seals last weekend and driver side still leaking. Gotta check for a clogged vent line or gouged seal journals

[@OutJeeping]

Yeah I would check out the axle shaft surfaces and vent lines on that one.

[@diegoortega5955]

At this point both my seals and pinion seal are leaking, so am just going to upgrade to a new diiff.

[@DanMcD80]

lubelocker diff cover gaskets so no rtv mess to deal with

[@OutJeeping]

Yup I've heard of them, one day I'll bite the bullet.

[@freddylopez5394]

What is that red Silicon around the seals? My has a piece broken and it looks like it doesn't come out.

[@oscarontiveros1581]

I got an 86 jeep Cherokee, would it be the same procedure? Thanks for the video !

[@OutJeeping]

As long as it's a non front axle disconnect axle. It will be a bit different on the passenger side if it has fad.

[@h_eadshott]

Hey, thanks for the video! Couple of questions. 1. How long did it take? 2. I bought mine and the previous fella threw in grand Cherokee CV joints from a ZJ. Have you ever tried that application?

[@OutJeeping]

It took about 4 hours. The CV axles will fit but they are not as strong as a u-joint

[@h_eadshott]

thank you

[@physicalstarfighter2131]

Would this procedure be the same for Dana 44? Also can you tell me where to find the torque value on these I'm not sure where to look thanks? Good Video by the way

[@OutJeeping]

For the most part yes

[@JigglingPandas96Pkm]

What is the difference between doing this on this axle vs a Dana 44? I have a Rubicon with lockers and Dana 44. Are there any additional steps or precautions that must be taken?

[@OutJeeping]

The Dana 30 and Dana 44 axles are almost identical. They use the same axle U-joints, ball joints, and Knuckles. The only major difference is the gear size. I would just make sure when you are removing the ring gear, make sure to install it same way. It should come out all is One Piece like what is shown in the video.

[@bog8533]

Great video! Question. Do the outer seals come out very easy? Also, what year is your XJ?

[@OutJeeping]

These are aftermarket seals I installed so from factory there is nothing but a dust cap on the axles shafts.

[@bog8533]

ahhh ok thank you.@@OutJeeping

[@jake-mv5oi]

Looks to be 97-99

[@SimplyG00Dvids]

As far as rtv goes with that outer seal, it's just rtv silicone right? Any color works too? Also, about the shims, as long as they go in the same side it will work right? There's no orientation? I'm confident to do the work but don't want to grenade my diff if I put together wrong

[@OutJeeping]

Any RTV should work but they make differential RTV or RTV for sealing against oil, that would be best. As far as shims, with the Dana 30 model I have in the video, the shims are pressed between the bearings and the carrier, so they didn't pop out when removing the carrier. On other axles you may have the shims pop out with the carrier because they get installed on the outside of the bearings. If that is the case then yes, make sure to install them back to the same sides that they came from.

[@matts_.4494]

I have noticed that the parts suppliers offer CV half shafts that look like they would work as substitutes for the u-joint style shafts that most Dana 30s come with. It looks like an inferior replacement solution, but for a street driven vehicle, it might be ok. A new CV shaft costs about $50 versus a u-joint shaft for $280 so it looks attractive. Do you know anything about swapping out for CV shafts?

[@OutJeeping]

The cv's that come in grand Cherokees can fit most Dana 30's but they wont hold up offroad unless you buy the aftermarket ones that cost around $1000. But if its a daily driver they aren't bad.

[@AndrewBrowner]

RCV sells offroad oriented cv shafts for jeep dana 30s and 44s to eliminate the u-joint binding and weak link... theyre not 50$ though problably closer to 850$ for the set

[@AndrewBrowner]

im planning on buying them for my 05 rubicon but i havent broken an axle shaft yet even running 35s aggressively

[@danielsalcedo-azocar1102]

Hey @OutJeeping, really good video man, but I have a question, so lets say in the future one of the inner seals is leaking again, how will you know that with aftermarket outer seals installed, I know that its meant to keep debris out of the axle tubes, but since there sealed wont there be an accumulation of differential fluid in the axle tubes, or would it not matter? Thanks for your time man.

[@OutJeeping]

That's the risk that you will end up taking. You won't know unless you pull the axle tubes or check the diff level on a maintenance schedule.

[@danielsalcedo-azocar1102]

@@OutJeeping Oh ok thats true, I'll be adding that to my maintenance then. Thanks again man.

[@LuisGarcia-mq8vl]

How do you know when the new seals are in place, where they supposed to go

[@OutJeeping]

You will feel them bottom out.

[@jeffgrey8537]

I have to ask, how do you know when the inner seals are shot once you install those outer seals? I am about to do my inner seals again and want to install the outer, but have been cautioned about the lack of "feedback" from the Jeep when those inner seals are gone next time.

[@OutJeeping]

You don't really know when the inner seals are shot with the outer seals. But most of the time the inner seals went bad from dirt and crap so the chances of them going bad again go down. I guess one easy way of checking is to check the level of oil through the fill plug.

[@BradM766]

Wait...are there not any bearings behind the hub area? Just an outer seal and then the inner seal further in? The only bearing on these is at the hub unit itself? Did I catch that accurately?

[@OutJeeping]

The outsides of the axle shafts use the hubs/unit bearings as their bearing and then the inside slides into the carrier which has bearings also.

[@aspringsurfbum]

I can’t for the life of me hammer in the new seals. I have extensions to go thru the axle with a 35mm socket that fits the seal perfectly. Any tips to get the seals in?

[@OutJeeping]

I would start them by hand with a small hammer to get them in square and being careful not to damage them. Then move up to a larger hammer with a seal driver or socket to hammer it in the rest of the way.

[@joelafleur6423]

When you took the diff apart you said watch out for shims. Was there shims and if not, where would they be?, if one axle would have them.

[@OutJeeping]

On some axles the shims are between the carrier bearing and the axle housing, for this axle the bearings were pressed in between the carrier bearing and the carrier.