Front axle seal replacement

[randy merritt]

After putting it off two years, I finally replaced my driver's side axle seal.

The one that is on the diff that seals the output shaft.

Adam came over to let me borrow is big sockets to remove the large nut that secures the drive axle to the hub (which it turned out I did not need), and he showed me how he has changed his, so I thought I would share as I don't see any easier way to do this task.

Remove the driver's side tie rod from the steering knuckle
Remove the lower shock bolt.
Remove the six bolts that attach the drive axle to the output shaft at the diff.

If you go over and turn the passenger side tire all the way to the right, it will move the steering linkage the max distance away from the driver's side for best clearance. Compress the shock upward (I found that using a 3/8" extension ran thru the lower shock eyelet so that you have something to push hard on works best), then simply pull the drive axle to the outside of the lower a arm. You have to hold the shock compressed, and hold the tie rod out of the way for the drive axle to clear. Once this is done, there is easy access to the output shaft (which pops out), seal cover, and seal.

You don't even have to remove the drive axle.

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

i just found out i need to do this yesterday. forgot all about it. then i see this post so thank you for the reminder!

was is it pretty straight forward to do the seal?

where did you get the seal from?

thanks again!

 

[randy merritt]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

i just found out i need to do this yesterday. forgot all about it. then i see this post so thank you for the reminder!

was is it pretty straight forward to do the seal?

where did you get the seal from?

thanks again!

Yes, it was. There are lots of threads about replacing the seal itself.

Advanced Auto Parts. Timken 223255.

 

[SYO237]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

When replacing the seal...DO NOT get silicone on the seal itself and pay attention where the silicone goes. It's easier to apply it to the diff itself rather than the plate...THEN bolt the plate back on.

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

When replacing the seal...DO NOT get silicone on the seal itself and pay attention where the silicone goes. It's easier to apply it to the diff itself rather than the plate...THEN bolt the plate back on.

silicone?! i thought it was just pop out old seal and pop in new one.

looks like i have some reading to do. btw, does it matter what type of silicone to use? red-black-grey?

thanks for the heads up.

 

[SYO237]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

silicone?! i thought it was just pop out old seal and pop in new one.

looks like i have some reading to do. btw, does it matter what type of silicone to use? red-black-grey?

thanks for the heads up.

Nope. You gotta seal the inspection plate else you'll risk leaking diff fluid. Hi-temp orange is the common.

 

[blacktyaffair]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

silicone?! i thought it was just pop out old seal and pop in new one.

looks like i have some reading to do. btw, does it matter what type of silicone to use? red-black-grey?

thanks for the heads up.

I'm a fan of gray myself. I'm used it to seal to complete front diffs and one t case, no leaks. :tup:

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

silicone?! i thought it was just pop out old seal and pop in new one.

It the plate isn't leaking there is no reason to not do it this way. Getting the old out and the new seal in without damage will be the trick.

Locktite-515 is the only thing I've found that will seal the dif case itself. Metal to metal, no gasket. Consequently thats what I use on that plate also. SYO237 is correct. If you take the plate off you'll see what he means.

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

swell group of guys you are!

as always thank you very much!

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

Once this is done, there is easy access to the output shaft (which pops out), seal cover, and seal.

werking on this right now so if anyone can answer as quickly as possible that would be outstanding! thank you


i've removed all but output shaft. is there a trick to removing this? do i need to pry harder and from 2 sides at once?

asking because i do not want to damage the seal cover by prying on it.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

If you're attempting to just remove the seal get a prybar under the lip and pry on it. This is the difficulty that's been mentioned. It's a press fit. Unlikely you'll damage the plate unless you gouge it with your bar. If you have a slide hammer that would probably work better if you can get it in there and grab only the seal. In the end it might be better to just remove the plate. Have a drain pan close there might be some oil behind it.

The advantage to having the plate off is that it's much easier to install the seal and get it square and be sure it's all the way in. And, in the end, maybe quicker.

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

appreciate your help, Don but it's just not budging. i am putting my prybar on the heads of the plate bolts and pushing and pulling the bar to try and pop out the shaft. no luck at all! the bar has begun to make contact with the plate's lip and bending it a little.

i was going to do the seal and plate but since i can not even get the 6 bolt shaft out of the transfer case i am thinking of calling it quits. it's dark-i'm werking on my back and...

i can at least top of the case since it's really low.

again, i appreciate your help

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

appreciate your help, Don but it's just not budging. i am putting my prybar on the heads of the plate bolts and pushing and pulling the bar to try and pop out the shaft. no luck at all! the bar has begun to make contact with the plate's lip and bending it a little.

Pop out the shaft? I'm confused as usual. You must have meant seal. Remove the bolts and the plate will come off and then you'll be able to replace the seal without bending anything. The plate doesn't "retain" anything so there's no worries there.

The problem is the seal was installed with a sealant between it and the plate and it's been there for 24 years. It's just stuck.

 

[randy merritt]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

I wacked mine with a dead blow hammer a couple of times from the pass side of the flange.

He is talking about the output shaft, Don. He has to remove that first in order to get to the seal.

Also, when I reinstalled the output shaft, I carefully slid it back in to the diff, then used a long ratchet extension to be able to get a good wack on it with the dead blow hammer, and it popped right in.

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

thanks again

i "searched" and found another thread and they said they used a rubber mallet/dead blow also. i will try that. not much room so i will have to be careful.

the sun is boomin' right now so i will have to wait till it cools down a bit

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

so i finally got it off and out! with a 24oz dead blow hammer and a piece of wood.

according to that part number this is what advance gave me

 

[i8av8]

Re: Front axle seal replacement

so i finally got it off and out! with a 24oz dead blow hammer and a piece of wood.

according to that part number this is what advance gave me. it fits but just doesn't look the same.