Feeling kind of stupid..

[Jesse]

So I was checking out my new axle shafts today before i installed them sometime this week, and noticed the inner shafts are covered in a sticky substance, but it comes off with brake cleaner. Should I go ahead and clean them off or is it there for a reason it's there?

 

[jps4jeep]

It's to keep the shafts from flash rusting while sitting on the warehouse shelf. yes you can and should clean it off. I like to put a little hit-temp litheum grease on teh shaft right where the seals sit. not needed, but an ounce of prevention goes a long way.

 

[tjlboise]

Im not completely 100% sure but I think that's just some stuff they use to keep it from rusting up before they're installed. I don't think it would hurt it either way (cleaning it or leaving it) as long as they're greased when installed.

 

[elevatorman]

ditto,you find it on nearly all machined metal parts for rust prevention.
It will come off with almost any grease remover or paint thinner,laquer thinner etc.

 

[Jesse]

I just wanted to make sure before I did anything. And where the seal sits? You mean the one in the housing or is there one I'm missing on the shaft? (Sorry, kind of out of it right now...)

 

[jps4jeep]

It's just inside the tubes, just lateral of the bearing caps.

 

[Jesse]

It's just inside the tubes, just lateral of the bearing caps.

Just checking. & with these u joints you use the hammer & socket method, correct? I'm just verifying everything before I mess something up. (sorry for the newbie questions.:redface