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Need to replace front inner axle seals

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Old 03-18-2016, 10:19 AM
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Default Need to replace front inner axle seals

I installed an Aussie locker in my '14 sport unlimited. The passenger inner axle seal started leaking soon after. This is on a Dana 30 of course.
I ordered a set from ebay and now I'm just trying to be sure they are correct before I take the jeep apart. The parts I ordered are in a Dana Spicer box with part number 54381. The add said these are correct but I'm reading conflicting information about this. The Mopar # is different I know, I just want to make sure these will fit. Has anyone used these seals ? Thanks for any help.
Old 03-20-2016, 10:07 AM
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Those should work fine. For some reason they list them as working on 07-16 Rubicons and 12-16 all JKs. Nothing changed on the D30, so no reason those won't work. Looks like they decided to update the seal. That isn't all that uncommon.
Old 03-20-2016, 01:39 PM
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2007-12 had a standard style seal. 2013-15 was an upgraded seal to 2 piece design and it appears a superseded design change in 2016.

The original part # is 5014852AB for 2007-12 then updated in 2013 to same PN# but AC (5014852AC) instead of AB . The AC is a 2 piece seal as is the new upgraded 68304271AA. They are all interchangeable.. They also appear to fit in both the D30 and D44.
Old 03-21-2016, 02:56 AM
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Originally Posted by jtphoto JK
2007-12 had a standard style seal. 2013-15 was an upgraded seal to 2 piece design and it appears a superseded design change in 2016.

The original part # is 5014852AB for 2007-12 then updated in 2013 to same PN# but AC (5014852AC) instead of AB . The AC is a 2 piece seal as is the new upgraded 68304271AA. They are all interchangeable.. They also appear to fit in both the D30 and D44.
Correct, the new style seal is really nice. I had originally ordered seals from 4WD and got the older 1 piece design, and then I pulled my axle apart and I hit the brakes when I saw the factory seal was a 2 piece design. I then went to a local dealer and got the matching 2 piece seal and used that.
Old 03-21-2016, 03:32 AM
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Originally Posted by larry0071
Correct, the new style seal is really nice. I had originally ordered seals from 4WD and got the older 1 piece design, and then I pulled my axle apart and I hit the brakes when I saw the factory seal was a 2 piece design. I then went to a local dealer and got the matching 2 piece seal and used that.
What is better about the 2 piece design? Do you still replace them in the same manner as the 1 piece? Ie: from the opposing side tube with a long rod and socket?
Old 03-21-2016, 04:44 AM
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They go in and out like the old style 1 piece seal did, but instead of the seal being fixed in place on the OD and the ID wearing on the axle shaft that is spinning, you now have an outer steel that is like the old one with the steel, then an inner that presses to the axle shaft and spins with the axle, and between the 2 you have two rubber faces that interact with each other during rotation. So the sealing surface that is in motion is a rubber lip against a rubber flat surface. Looking at it, I would guess that the newer design is a better seal and will outlast the older seal design as long as the axle housing or C's are not bent and applying uneven pressure.

My D30 is bent pretty bad and my seals lasted about 10K miles after the bend (-6° approximately on both sides) and the middle seal layer didn't leak until the wear face wore completely through.

I don't have any interest in going back to the 1 piece seal.
Old 03-21-2016, 09:21 PM
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The rear axle seal is the same 2 piece design.
Old 03-23-2016, 04:22 AM
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If anybody needs seals PM me. I have the 2 piece seal i did not use.
Old 01-09-2023, 04:56 AM
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Just resurrecting this old thread if you don't mind
Received 2 new Front axle seals from the dealers for my 2007 built JKU Sahara 2.8CRD with Dana 30 next Gen front part No. 68304271AA which are the new revised 2 part seal.
Ordered on the older part number but were sent these.
"I presume" these will still fit in the 2007 ?
If so is the fitting procedure any different being a 2 part design ?

Many Thanks in advance
Old 01-09-2023, 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by RLT
Just resurrecting this old thread if you don't mind
Received 2 new Front axle seals from the dealers for my 2007 built JKU Sahara 2.8CRD with Dana 30 next Gen front part No. 68304271AA which are the new revised 2 part seal.
Ordered on the older part number but were sent these.
"I presume" these will still fit in the 2007 ?
If so is the fitting procedure any different being a 2 part design ?

Many Thanks in advance
Those 2-piece seals will work just the same. IMO, they fail just as easily as the old fashion 1-piece seals, but they'll still work. Install is all the same.


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