I'm about to swap in a set of front/rear rubi axles in place of my current ones. These axles have been sitting in a garage for 2 years, w/ oil in the carrier. Is there anything I should do before running these? I plan to change the fluid from the oem to royal purple.

Also, when I take my old D44 off the rear, should I leave oil in it, or leave it empty for storage?

 

I would think they should be ok, the only way any contamination could get in is thru the breathers, you could open the filler hole and stick your finger in there check the fluid out....I would maybe drive them for 25-50mi and then change the fluid personally, 40 bucks is cheap way to be sure its ok, I personally wouldnt run the royal purple either, mobil 1 is half the price and I dont recall anyone ever blowing up there axle because they werent running royal purple

oh and changing them now would be real easy except the 300lb weight of them

 

I'm just curious if the pinion seals might have dried out with them sitting around without them being lubricated from spinning parts...the axle seals should be fine in both considering they were stored with the oil in them...but the pinion seals aren't completely submersed...just something to watch for maybe??

 

No the seals will be all right. None of these seals are organic. These axles could be stored 50 years with no ill effects...

 

Good to know. I know this is concern with older vehicles, I guess the auto industry finally got smart with something hey

 

My friends pull old tractors out of the woods. many times cutting large trees down to remove them. These are steel tread tractors (pre 1937) and as long as water hasn't gotten down the intake manifold or the shifter bell the crankcases and rear ends look new inside. These old machines have felt based axle seals and yes, they have to be replaced....