Need help with leaking FRONT differential seals.

[Black Knight]

I searched and searched and couldn't come up with anyone who has replaced the front diff. seals. I have dont lots of rear diff. seals but never a front, so I'm not worried about the work just need some insight into how to change them since it doesn't look like you just pull the axles.

Do you have to split the case open in the middle to pull the axles out?

Where can I get the seals? I called Napa and they said the don't sell the seals but they can rebuild the whole thing for me :roll:

Any other hints or tips would be appreciated.

 

[myclone]

Re: Need help with leaking FRONT differential seals.

I searched and searched and couldn't come up with anyone who has replaced the front diff. seals. I have dont lots of rear diff. seals but never a front, so I'm not worried about the work just need some insight into how to change them since it doesn't look like you just pull the axles.

Do you have to split the case open in the middle to pull the axles out?

Where can I get the seals? I called Napa and they said the don't sell the seals but they can rebuild the whole thing for me :roll:

Any other hints or tips would be appreciated.

Youre talking about the end seals where the axle flange is? If so:

Got my seals from Bumper to Bumper...~$4 each.
Just a tap on the back side of the axle flange which pops the axles out of the case (theyre held in place by a clip...you'll see it when the axle stub comes out).
R&R seals.
Tap axle back into housing until fully seated.
Have beer or twelve.

It takes longer to to get the CV half shafts out of the way IMO than to pop the axles out and put in new seals. :2cents:

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Need help with leaking FRONT differential seals.

Yep David, the end seals are the ones I need to replace, more so the drivers side.

My diff. is out of the truck right now so it should be very easy, but again I was unsure about how to get the axles out.

Let me just reconfirm this for my well being. I DON'T need to remove the 6 bolts on the D-side or the 5 bolts on the P-side, I can just tap the axle and it comes out?

Thanx

 

[myclone]

Re: Need help with leaking FRONT differential seals.

Yep David, the end seals are the ones I need to replace, more so the drivers side.

My diff. is out of the truck right now so it should be very easy, but again I was unsure about how to get the axles out.

Let me just reconfirm this for my well being. I DON'T need to remove the 6 bolts on the D-side or the 5 bolts on the P-side, I can just tap the axle and it comes out?

Thanx

If the diff is out then it will be super easy.

Tap the axle stub out by whacking the back side of the flange where the CV joint bolts to. Use a dead blow hammer or a piece of soft alum/brass stock as a driver if you use a BFH (big freakin hammer). The axle stub should pop right out after one or two solid blows which will give you access to the bolts that hold the seal retainer plate on. Remove plate, R&R seal, reinstall plate with some silicone sealer, slide axle stub back in and give it a whack or two to seat it. Done.

Even if one seal is leaking Id replace em both while I was at it. Murphys law says if you just replace the leaky one the other one will start leaking very shortly afterwords.

 

[jwaller]

Re: Need help with leaking FRONT differential seals.

the L and R seals are the same and like he said they are cheap. so do all 3 while you have it so easy.

If your axels come out easily or they fall out replace the c clips on the ends of the axels. I've seen them do this and they will slid out while it's in the truck and you will suddenly go into 2wd and thats not cool in the rain when you dont know it's coming.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Need help with leaking FRONT differential seals.

Cool, thanx for your help guys!