axle seal replacement
 

Does anyone know what's involved in replacing an axle seal? Is this something that a good mechanic (not necessarily RX7 specific) can do?
Thanks
Jim

The seal that goes in the diff? it is packed with grease and is very easy to do. You could also use zip tys for the seal. Or are you talking about the squeez seal on the diff where the nuckle gets put into?

-Rikki

I'm talking about where the axle meets the dif. on the driver's side. There is a green bushing thing there as well. The seal is a rubber crinkled sleeve I think. I'm not sure though.

yup. Just use a zip ty. for temporary and get a mechanic to put a metal one on. Are you sure that is your problem. Have you drained the fluid in the diff? I just cant see both axels breaking or them come'n out. It does not sound right.:(

-Rikki

Thanks for the zip tie idea. That's awesome. I hope it works. It is just my driver's side axle seal. That side has grease on it, the other side doesn't. The axle isn't broken, the car even drives. But Dave at KD said as soon as the car warms up, i'll have the same problem(having no gears).
But, I am not totally sure that that is the problem, as it was pretty much diagnosed over the phone. It seems to make sense though
I'll let you know how things go tonight when I try to fill the dif and zip it. Thanks for the idea.
Jim

I'm doing this today as well.. good luck with yours.

You know, I was under the car yesterday, and it didn't look like the seal was leaking. I saw that there was a metal band around the boot, as was mentioned before. I don't know what it is if it's not the seal. It looked like it was leaking mostly fron the direct bottom of the dif. I'm wondering if the bolts are loose. I'm getting it looked at on Thursday. I guess I won't know until then.:o:

I think you have the things confused. The axle seal you are talking about is called the boot, it holds the grease. If the boot were to rip, the grease would fall out and eventually wear out the axle prematurely. If it is leaking directly on the bottom of the diff, its either the drain or fill bolt or the real axle seal, which is the rould seal that is installed into the differential housing and the axle inner splines goes through. If it were to leak it would leak gear oil. You cant really seal this seal.

It was originally thought that it was my axle seal(boot) that was leaking. However, when I went under the car, I didn't see any real damage to the boot. It looks to me like i'm leaking from the bottom of the dif. It is neither the drain or fill plug that is leaking. So think you are right, as is my guess as well, that it is the seal that is in the housing. That seal is replacable, right?
Jim

Spray it off with some brake clean and wip it off good and see how bad she is leaking. I would suggest topin of the fluid with mobil 1 or something decent and seeing how much it really leaks. If it does not leave a drip on the ground it is not that bad but if you have a stain where you park the car then yeah it is time.

-Rikki

Time to replace the dif., or time to replace that seal?

Well once you get the cover off you will no if the diff needs to be replaced;).

-Rikki

After replacing my rear gears, my diff housing leaked badly for a while. Dave removed the housing and put some green sealant stuff on it bolted the housing back together and it has never leaked since. I imagine its a rubber seal and it probably has just deteriorated a little on your. You may just be able to tighten the bolts more and solve the problem.

I can see a little bit of what looks like a silicon seal in there. Maybe that is what's leaking. I'm going to try to tighten the bolts(if I can). If not, I guess i'll open it up and see if I can make a better gasket, or see if I need a new dif.
I hope I don't need a new one. I already have SO much to do. :eek:

I also have an RX7 differential in my 1968 Datsun Roadster and I absolutely love it. I have differential oil getting on my passenger wheel and brake but not the driver side. Stinky and not safe to be loosing fluid. What seal would be failing for this to be happening? Thanks for the help.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2c7c0b7698.jpg
Her name is Mothra, I see that you guys have a Mothra in your group as well.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...29232cff60.png
Don't make fun of my leaf spring hangers upside-down.

That looks like the axle out of a 1st gen, you'd probably be better off asking in the 1st Generation section.

Dale

It is a GSL-SE. Is that the first gen?

Yep! 1984-1985 GSL-SE

Dale