Just purchased a 1974 K5 Blazer in California. Drove it back to Oregon about 6 hours. K5 is in great shape, it was a good daily driver for the guy I bought it from. When I got home of course a few leaks started popping up. The rear driver side axel started leaking fluid. I took rear diff cover off, dropped the pin, removed C clips and pulled the axel out. There was a rebuild seal and bearings kit in place instead of the normal bearings and separate seal. The seal was in bad shape as well as the fluid. I cleaned everything up and put the new rebuild kit I purchased in place and put it all back together and then changed the other side as well since I already had rear end tore open. I put everything back together changed the fluid, new gasket and silicone and thought I was good. I drove around for a few hours and noticed the next day I had a pretty big leak out of the same side as the original leak was coming from. I am stumped now on what to do.

 

What did the axle shaft look like? Any grooves on the exterior of the shaft?

How well did the new bearing/seal fit into the axle tube?

 

yeah there was some small grooves and it wasn't extremely smooth and clean. I am new to the mechanic stuff so didn't cause any alarm in my mind until now. Drove it to work today and noticed as I get into parking lot and slowed down a loud growling type noise and the feeling of something hanging up and not turning smooth. So not sure whats going on now.