Front Pinion Seal Help

[jbowden718]

Hi guys. Just want to say thanks for all the great help here in the past. I've used the posts here to tune my 99 SOHC Explorer, replace the CV Axle and fix various other problems. I guess ignorance is really bliss because with making all the various repairs I found another issue.
I had the mechanic fix the seal on my crankshaft pulley because it was in a real tough spot and at $150 it was worth my time since the leak was getting worse. Now that it was fixed I went under my truck to clean up all the dried up oil and upon closer inspection of the front transaxle I noticed that my front pinion seal is leaking and has been for some time. The other leak sort of disguised it. Now after reasearching this site and others for the last 3 days I'm faced with a dilemma.
I see what is involved with replacing the front pinion seal located at the back of the front differential but I've seen mixed reviews. What I am stuck on is whether I should install a new front yoke since the old seal most likely put a grove in the yoke which is original. The last thing I want to do is replace the seal and have it leak all over again. Trying to find a new front yoke has been a daunting challenge. I see some Dana Spicer kits but I have no idea what type of front yoke is on a 99 Explorer. I see them sold as 1310 Yokes or 1330 but the last thing I would want to do is order the wrong part. I've tried looking for a redi-sleeve also but it seems like they only carry them for the rear axle.

So far this is the only thing I could find. Am I even in the ballpark?
http://www.justdifferentials.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_59_242&products_id=2864
Any suggestions or guidance would be a huge help. Thanks in advance.

 

[imp]

Hi guys. Just want to say thanks for all the great help here in the past. I've used the posts here to tune my 99 SOHC Explorer, replace the CV Axle and fix various other problems. I guess ignorance is really bliss because with making all the various repairs I found another issue.
I had the mechanic fix the seal on my crankshaft pulley because it was in a real tough spot and at $150 it was worth my time since the leak was getting worse. Now that it was fixed I went under my truck to clean up all the dried up oil and upon closer inspection of the front transaxle I noticed that my front pinion seal is leaking and has been for some time. The other leak sort of disguised it. Now after reasearching this site and others for the last 3 days I'm faced with a dilemma.
I see what is involved with replacing the front pinion seal located at the back of the front differential but I've seen mixed reviews. What I am stuck on is whether I should install a new front yoke since the old seal most likely put a grove in the yoke which is original. The last thing I want to do is replace the seal and have it leak all over again. Trying to find a new front yoke has been a daunting challenge. I see some Dana Spicer kits but I have no idea what type of front yoke is on a 99 Explorer. I see them sold as 1310 Yokes or 1330 but the last thing I would want to do is order the wrong part. I've tried looking for a redi-sleeve also but it seems like they only carry them for the rear axle.

So far this is the only thing I could find. Am I even in the ballpark?
http://www.justdifferentials.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_59_242&products_id=2864
Any suggestions or guidance would be a huge help. Thanks in advance.

Well, ya ain't got a "transaxle" in an Explorer, but aside from that: A careful seal replacement can be done in which the seal is installed such that the lip of the new seal rides NEXT TO a groove which has been worn in the old U-Joint flange. Some feel a very shallow, light groove presents no problem to a new seal lip. However, seal lips often tend to "resonate" in use, resulting in a groove of inconsistent depth about it's periphery. A new lip riding in such a groove suffers lots of "microflexing"; this theoretical stuff is possible, maybe even probable, but why fart around with such things?

If grooved, best way is replace the flange. I cannot imagine that Ford does not sell them. BTW, some seal designs are made with an external flange on the metal seal "case" which is driven in flush against the axle housing. This is done to ensure the seal is "square" with respect to the shaft. If the "new" seal locate method is used, either a flangeless seal can be used, if available, or the new seal not driven all the way in until flush. Obviously, the seal MUST be adequately in place to resist movement of it's case, the seal outside diameter.

(I'm kinda "into" oil seals; worked for Dana Corp. in an oils seal mfg. plant). imp

 

[jbowden718]

IMP..Thanks. My problem is finding the new yoke/flange for the front end. It's my underwstanding it is a Dana 35 front end on the 99 Explorer 4wd. Ford's parts website is of no help and the major chains, Napa and Autozone only sell the Rear End Flange. My front end has a half moon shaped Yoke and it's driving me crazy that I don't see any sites that explicitly state this is for a 95-01 Explorer. The one site I referenced in the first post is the only thing close but before I go through the process of taking it all apart I would like to know I bought the right part. Like I said I would rather fix it right the first time then keep putting seals on but it looks like I might be stuck doing that.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

According to the web site you referenced that would be the correct yoke and seal kit for your ex. It is the Dana 35 that you have in there, so that would be the one.

 

[kert0307]

If I remember right the seal goes against the pinion shaft not the yoke. The yoke is held on the splined pinion by the nut and needs to be removed to change the seal, but does not aid in sealing. I could be wrong though...


Edit: I was wrong, don't listen to me... lol

 

[jbowden718]

According to the web site you referenced that would be the correct yoke and seal kit for your ex. It is the Dana 35 that you have in there, so that would be the one.

Thanks so much. That's really what I have been racking my brain about since I'm planning for the worst. My truck is a "99 SOHC with 136K on it so I wouldn't be surprised to see a ring indentation in the collar of the yoke. When you start searching for Dana 35 yokes you get all of these results regarding 1310, 1330 and mutilple variations of spline count. I can do an external measure to see the difference between the two, what I can't see is the spline count unless I take it all apart.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Here's the standard specs on Dana 35 from drivetrain.com:

7.562"
10 HOLES
OVAL Gasket Pattern

Ring Gear Diameter 7.562"
8 3/8" X 24 RH Threaded Bolts
PINION Diameter 1.406", 26 Spline
CASE: 3.31 & Down, 3.55 & Numerically Higher Jeep, No case change on Ford

8620 Material Heat-Treated

Assembly Specifications:

Cover Bolt Ft. Lbs. 30-40
Pinion Brg. Preload In. Lbs 15-35
Pinion Brg. Preload In. Lbs 8-14 Used
Ring Gear Backlash .005-.008
Ring Gear Bolt to case Ft. Lbs. 70-89
Side Brg. Caps Ft. Lbs. 47-67

******
I like the idea of the kit if the pinion has wear. I used a speedi sleeve on my rear pinion with good results but when I checked their catalog they did not list one to correctly fit the 1.406 front pinion shaft. I suppose you could go with their #99416 1.411 - 1.417 with a thin coat of locktite during assembly. That would put you a couple thousandths oversized but probably within tolerance of a new seal. Since the sleeves run $30-50 depending on where you find them (napa usually stocks), getting a new pinion of correct size with everything else seems like a better deal.