Hi everyone,

I ordered my dynatrac axles a couple of months ago. Installed them in May and drove it for the first time in June. I now have approx. 1300 miles on them and experienced a little oil in my rim (left side) about three weeks ago.
Now since yesterday there was oil on the floor in my garage, so this morning I took everything of and saw that everything was covered in oil, handbrakes etc. So I checked if everything was still thightend and it was.

Then I pulled on the shaft and noticed some play. I know there has to be some play, but I think it's a little to much. Eventually I pulled out the shaft and took a look at the parts. No damage on bearing or seal, nothing blue and
nothing scratched..

Has anyone experienced this before with almost brandnew axles?


Regards,

Dennis


PS. I also asked Dan at Dynatrac this question and to let me know how much play is allowed on the shafts, so hope to hear something soon. He was a great help when ordering evrything so I'm convinced they can help me out this time.

PS2. I was a car mechanic in the past, so I'm no newbie to cars.

 

Update;

I spoke to Dan at Dynatrac last week and still waiting on respons by their tech guy that should help me out. To bad I can't drive my car since that time.

I found out that both shafts have a little play and offcourse if there is play horizontal it results in play radial, because the bearings are cone shaped. This
problem is automatically the result of seals leaking.

I discussed the problem with Dan (not the tech guy) and he mentioned that not putting the shaft all the way during installation in could cause the problem of the bearing not
setting correct in the race. Because of the cone shaped bearing and the seal behind it, it should automatically set itself when thightening the bolts. So I don't think this is
possible, or am I mistaken here? How else should this be done?

Hope to hear something soon from their head tech.

 

II understand that you've got a note back from our tech. I hope that this situation is remedied fast.

 

He replied, thank you. He also can't understand why there is the play on the shafts. He suggests to change bearings and seals. So we'll start with that, that was
my first intention to.

 

Update;

Because it wasn't clear what caused the leak, dynatrac told me to put new bearings and seals in. That's what I did. Unfortunately they cost $ 332 for two sets over here. After installing I checked everything
and guess what? The play in the shafts remained on both sides. The bearings looked good before changing them, but to make sure they were not the cause for my problem I needed to replace them.

I emailed them to let them know the problem remained and the replacement of bearings etc. didn't help. They replied and told me to measure the bore depth where the race sets in the axle tube.

I took everything apart and while it was lose again, I also checked the measurements from the other components on the shaft, seal, retainer plate bore depth, backing plate, bearing and race.

I came to the following conclusion after measuring; My guess is that the retainer plate doesn't set all the way against the edge of the axle tube and leaves room for the seal and bearing to go in and out.
I emailed my findings to Dynatrac a week ago and they're trying to figure out if my conclusion is correct and hopefully what to do about it.

I hope they know what to do about it soon, before it starts leaking again.

My report is not to burn Dynatrac, because they make a great product. Only if someone has the same problem I'm having they know what to do about it and not go through the hassle I'm having now.

 

Wow sounds like a nightmare! I hope Dynatrac can make this right for you.

 

Well it's annoying and something you don't expect when buying quality axles. I thougt a few months ago; pay a little more and do it right the first time so I don't have to worrie all the time about breaking anything.

 

We have been thoroughly reviewing your case and appreciate your cooperation during the investigation.

We are glad that the replacement seal you installed has fixed your leak. In the future, please avoid purchasing parts on your own. They are covered under your warranty and Dynatrac will provide them to you free of charge. We realize that being in Belgium may make the lead-time and shipping expense less than ideal, but we will do whatever we can to promptly get you the parts you need. If that was not previously made clear to you, we apologize.

Your axle uses same seal as many factory applications. There are 3 different versions of this seal that come in similar packaging and are sold under identical part numbers. We’ve determined that 2 of the 3 versions are best for our customers. One of the 3 in particular we do not recommend because it is very difficult to correctly install. It has caused us many problems in the field, and we no longer use it. It is unlikely that you received one of these on your axle. The second is a good seal, but has an expanding rubber ring that can sometimes get damaged during installation of the shafts. The third style has a more error-proof installation, but can also be damaged during install. We of course do not know what you used to do your recent repair.

Regardless of which version was used, the seal must still pass through the brake backing plate and be compressed by the retainer during assembly. Our own personal experience installing this seal has proven that it can be easily damaged during installation. We’ve assembled many units now and our crew is now very adept at installing these seals without issue. Additionally, we do leak tests on fully assembled units before they leave on facility. Based on your experience we have decided to no longer ship partial assemblies (like yours was), to far away locations. We shall require the brakes be assembled here, and have the unit leak tested prior to shipment, as is normally the case.

Our own experience with installing these seals has been confirmed by our customers. Since the factory JK rear brake system is frequently re-used by customers on our axles, customers (or their installers) must do the final assembly-which includes installing the axle shafts through the brake assembly, and the retainer. We have heard from some customers that they have damaged the seal during installation. Sometimes this damage is discovered during assembly, at other times it isn’t discovered until the vehicle is on the road (leaks). The solution of simply changing the seal has always corrected the problem.

We have concluded that your end-play is on the high side, but in and of itself is not necessarily causing your leak. You’ve said that your leak appears to be resolved at this time. If it should start to reoccur, please contact us immediately. We will send you new bearings, correct seals and a new retainer. Most likely, you’ve stopped the leak and nothing more will be needed.

Thanks for your support. We appreciate your patience.

 

Hello Scott (I think),

Because you answered me here on this forum, I'll also reply here.

The seal leaking is a byproduct of the play that occurs. The play is what I'm most worried about (0.046” play). When I installed the shafts the first time I didn't feel the play, because the seal was so tight in the axle tube. But the play was already there off course. I now this because there is now damage or wear on seals, bearings or whatever what could have resulted the play. Because I installed everything brandnew and the seal didn't leak at first. However, because the axial play on the shaft also results in radial play (cone shaped bearing and race) the seal get's wider while driving, braking and cornering and starts to leak.

You also say mentioned that the play is on the high side, so I assume it's just a matter of time, before the leaking starts again. But again the leak is one thing, I'm more worried about the the end play.
There shouldn't be any end play, or to a minimum certainly if the axles are brandnew, which they still are. I would like to see a solution for that. I hope you can understand that I’m not satisfied by paying extra (to much) for putting new bearings in, with a problem that still exists and then receiving an answer; “ “We’re glad you stopped the leak” and “the end play is on the high side”. I’ve chosen Dynatrac axles for their reputation, quality build and because I don’t want to worry about my axles while driving (offroad). I paid almost 10.000 $ for these items, without the huge shipping costs. I think I deserve a little more service.

These are your own Quotes;
-Warranty – Dynatrac provides the best one-year, unlimited mileage, no-fault warranty on our axles. That means if you have a problem - your fault, our fault, or nobody’s fault, you will get the benefit of the doubt and we will fix it for free. We won’t argue over how big your tires are, or whether you should or shouldn’t have been doing the obstacle. Short of wrapping your Jeep around a tree, dropping it out of an airplane, or forgetting to put oil in it, you’re covered

I don’t want to be the guy who is a pain in the *ss, but I assume you can understand that it’s not correct that I chose to pay extra to get the best axles out there and still have to worry about breakage or leaks when I go on a (long) trip. You all know that’s not a pleasant way to start your trip.

I allready explained to your tech guy what I think causes the play, so it shouldn't be to hard to solve for you guys.

Info; The bearings a used now are from Mopar, provided by the Jeep Dealer. Only difference is that the race is fixed on the bearing instead of two seperate parts. If these are not the best bearings that should be on this shaft I would prefer to receive the correct set?

Hope to hear something soon.

Dennis

 

Update;

Just got off the phone with Dan from Dynatrac. They definately want to find a solution with me. Because the most obvious thing to do right now is change the retainer plates, they are going to make new retainer plates to my specifications.

They also want to provide/help me with some other things, just to let me know they're willing to help and provide a good service (also because of my time and labour);
- They're also giving me also 2 new sets of bearings and seals
- Start my 1 year warranty now instead of a few months ago. Even extend after that when reasonable damage occurs.
- If I could think of anything else what I need from them, I could get it with a discount and they would ship it in the same box.
- No shipping costs
- Give me a t-shirt (Dan laught about it also)

I definately have a good feeling now. Not that I was worried not getting this fixed, because everything can be fixed eventually. But that Dynatrac takes their responsabilty on this is a reassuring thougt.
This is what I call a top notch Service.

Now I need to check my measurements again (hopefully this weekend) and then they will make new retainers for me.