Axle Seal Leaks. How Much Is TOO Much?

Over the past 5 weeks I've been plagued by hooking to trailer rolling stock with axle seal lubricant leaks. The leaks range from an early stage failure ooze to actual lubricant running down the inside of the assembly.

My WYOTech trained brother was always adamant that the men in unusual hats, especially in Cali and Ohio, would have zero tolerance for any lube leaks.

I seek input from those of you. That may have had a level one inspection with seals. That look like the ones in my 2 photos here. am I being too picky?

Sent this to my dad with over 30 years of truck maintenance experience this was his response

Looks like its on the brake shoes so its too much of a leak

As for me I would take it to the shop of available, if not I always error on the side of caution.

The answer is in the name of the part itself, the seal. It's there to fill in the gap and prevent any fluid from leaking.

Bobcat Bob's Daddy's opinion:

Looks like its on the brake shoes so its too much of a leak

Checking for grease or oil is part of a standard Pre-trip. Write up a DVIR or something.

Long term seepage on those seals, should be replaced with as much as is outside the seal. DOT I doubt will like it if given a level 1.....It's not to the point (yet) to be slinging oil all over the axle/hub/wheels, but it won't be long until it is.

Speaking from my 45 years experience, fixing everything from, semi's to autos lol

Watching the goings on in the fulfillment centers that I have been in, I constantly see the spotter drivers hook, lift and then drag the trailer several feet forward before hooking the air lines. I wonder if this could be causing the frequency of seal leaks. The dock pads look like the starting line at Great Lakes Dragway (where the great ones run-run-run-run!)

I was with my previous outfit for about seven years, and in that time can only think of three or four leaking inboard axle seals on trailers. (Rail Pool IM chassis dont count, those are a "high percentage stop" in the lingo of my first career)

Any mechanic experience here that can comment?

Cold weather climates contribute to seals leaking over time. Since the rubber will constrict, and not fully seal, causing seepage. The tranny kid I worked with at Ford (may he RIP) would always put some gears and bearings in the freezer overnight. To shrink some, and go where they needed to easier, no pounding em in.

Sometimes he'd pack seals with grease and freeze em too. Hub/wheel seals have very little rubber that does all the work to begin with, and a light spring inside to tension it tight. Even have seen seals that that spring had fallen out of place, so it leaked.

Even the last guy changing a seal could've messed up installing it, as well, seen that before too lol Besides now days parts are built so cheap (China)