My recently built D30 was leaking at both axle seals. A lot on the passenger side. My axle builder told me the reason it was leaking was due to residual oil left in the tube from the rebuild. He told me to raise the D side wheel and let the tube drain overnight. I was thinking what sloppy kind of work was that? But I did and by the next day, no more dripping oil. Guessed it was true. Topped off the diff oil and a few days later, drip drip!!! Drivers side was wet but not dripping. Because he got grouchy when I asked why my rear diff was making noise, I figured it wasn't worth driving over to the East side for axle seals.
Finally hit 500 miles so it was time to change the oil anyway. Ordered up a couple of Timken seals and thought I would give it a go. So today I did just that, replaced the axle seals. It was my first time doing this job. I have to admit I was a bit reluctant to pull the carrier out but I needed to learn how anyway.
Now, why was it leaking? I pictured in my head before starting the job, a big torn piece of seal for the amount of oil dripping on the ground everyday. Neither seal was torn or gouged. As a matter of fact I probably could have reused them but they looked low quality compared to the Timkens. The seals had lots of grit in them due to the tubes were not cleaned out prior to the shafts going back in. Also the seals were driven too deep in the seats and the outer seal flange was sitting on top of a heavily rusted area of the seat where the old seals never sat. I coated the outer seal surface with HondaBond and drove them in flush to the seal seat. Coated the seals and axle ends in RRG. Can you tell I work on bikes too?
Well, I hope I did everything right because I really don't want to do that again right away. Took it for about a 20 mile drive and checked for leaks. Nothing is pouring out but it might take a couple of days to show up if its a slow leak. Can't say it was fun but it wasn't too bad and would be more comfortable with it a second time. The weather was nice today.