Since I will have the
front axle apart to replace the hubs, I might as well replace the axle
end protectors. The factory ones are just little disks that
prevent large things from getting inside but allow water and mud to go
in.
I
removed the hubs and
cleaned up the axle shafts in preparation for reassembly.
Here is the axle tube
seal ready to install.
The instructions advise
putting a silicon adhesive on the part that goes into the axle so I put
some on.
Then I pushed the seals
into the end of the axle using a ratchet to help me keep even pressure
on both sides. The excess silicon was forced out as the seal was
pushed into place.
I had already put a
little grease on the seals to ease re-inserting the axles. After
inserting the axles through the seals and into the differential, I put
grease into the seals using the fittings on the side. I oriented
the fittings to the rear of the vehicle in the hope of facilitating
access to them and also to prevent them from getting hit with everything
coming at the Jeep as I drive down the road. This photo shows the
excess grease that came out of the seal. I left it there knowing
it would fly off during normal driving.
Here is an image
showing the seals after driving at high speed for about 20 miles.
Some of the grease remains.
