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Front axle leak - pic
- Thread starter K5_Fla
- Start date
milspecjimmy
1/2 ton status
napa sells the seals, and they are a PITA to replace. You have to pull the front carrier out, and drive them out from the outside, then install the new ones. Its not a quick job!!!
take the axle apart. remove the carrier and replace the seal.
79bonanza
1/2 ton status
it sucks but if you bring it to ky ill do it lol
milspecjimmy
1/2 ton status
you should do both while your in there, and they have to pull the entire axle apart, so have them do axle joints as well when there in there.
I just did those seals on the front 10b I'm getting ready to put into my truck, replacing all the seals actually. The worst part was getting the new seals to hammer in nice and straight. If you're gonna go through the trouble to replace one, take the other side apart and do both at the same time. Come to think of it, you need to pull both axle shafts out to remove the carrier anyways. Yes it's time consuming but worth it to not have gear oil all over the place.
Things to do...
remove brake calipers
remove hub/rotor assemblys
remove backing plates and spindles
remove diff cover and let drain
pull axle shafts out
remove the carrier assy, pay attention to which side shim is which so they go back in the same way
use a long extension with a big socket to hammer the seals IN towards the diff
this is a good time to clean out the axle tubes along with any dirt that falls into the center
use a properly sized socket with a hammer to put the new seals in
reassemble in reverse order
Going this far into a front axle gives you an opportunity to open up a 'can of worms' so to speak. Any other problems to be found, you will find them along the way. Prob also a good time to repack front wheel bearings so get some new hub grease seals too. Check the ball joints and axle shaft u-joints cause now is the time to service them while you have it apart.
Things to do...
remove brake calipers
remove hub/rotor assemblys
remove backing plates and spindles
remove diff cover and let drain
pull axle shafts out
remove the carrier assy, pay attention to which side shim is which so they go back in the same way
use a long extension with a big socket to hammer the seals IN towards the diff
this is a good time to clean out the axle tubes along with any dirt that falls into the center
use a properly sized socket with a hammer to put the new seals in
reassemble in reverse order
Going this far into a front axle gives you an opportunity to open up a 'can of worms' so to speak. Any other problems to be found, you will find them along the way. Prob also a good time to repack front wheel bearings so get some new hub grease seals too. Check the ball joints and axle shaft u-joints cause now is the time to service them while you have it apart.
Realistically 4-6 hours, for the job done right and depending on the tech doing it.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
^-- X2. around abouts of 5hrs.
79bonanza
1/2 ton status
man its not as bad as it sounds, the hardest part i hade was getting the hubs apart, its really not that bad i mean just keep it labeled and take your time and im sure you could do it, realistcally after you do it once you can do it pretty quick. im not bragging or anything but ive done a few i think i could do both sides if the c-clips in the hubs didnt give me any troubles in about 2 hours or so
bot0611
1/2 ton status
half day job if you have the the right seal wich is around $15 and have the right socket to punch it in there and a one person job. i recomend draining the pumking first....saves a bit of time, while it drains remove the other stuff and like 496truck said while you are at it check other stuff.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
Not a hard job, just time consuming having to tear everything apart, just to replace such a small, fairly inexpensive item, about like the camshaft seals on the Dodge Intrepid i did awhile back, $4 seals, whole front of the engine comes apart,,timing belt and all.. that sucked.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Ha!
i have the same leak. however i have had he seal replaced andthen leaked again. the mechanic showed me the front shaft has worn and wont hold the seal tight, so it continues to leak. I willhave to rebuild it again with new shafts. Going CM this time i think. the old ones are the originals. from 1979.
also you can change 1 million seals. but if you dont clean out the mud/dirt/slime/sand/junk from inside the tube you will trash it when you slide the shaft back in the axle.
easy tool to make for cleanup of the inside of the tube.
3-4ft long threaded rod 5/16 or 3/8 . then 2 nuts to fit said size rod. 1 big fender or shock washer almost the same size as the hole for the axle tube. cut 1/3 the washer off flat.
install 1 nut on rod 1" then washer on rod and last nut and tighten up tight.
insert new tool in axle with cut part down. when up agains the seal spin till cut part up. then pull it out and watch all the junk gome out.
i have gotten over a std size coffee cup of junk from 1 long side on a axle many times. all that stuff tears up the seal and gears / bearings.
easy tool to make for cleanup of the inside of the tube.
3-4ft long threaded rod 5/16 or 3/8 . then 2 nuts to fit said size rod. 1 big fender or shock washer almost the same size as the hole for the axle tube. cut 1/3 the washer off flat.
install 1 nut on rod 1" then washer on rod and last nut and tighten up tight.
insert new tool in axle with cut part down. when up agains the seal spin till cut part up. then pull it out and watch all the junk gome out.
i have gotten over a std size coffee cup of junk from 1 long side on a axle many times. all that stuff tears up the seal and gears / bearings.
cegusman
3/4 ton status
Shouldn't take more than 5 hours for someone that has never done it. Most should be able to do it in 2 1/5 to 3 hours. I can have the axle completely striped in 30 mins. Like said hardest part is getting the seal installed strait.
BUMP to the top - UPDATE -
I was going to get the seal replaced this week. However, I noticed over the last week that is stopped leaking.
Could I have just overfilled the differential a few weeks back when I changed the fluid ? Maybe is expanded and squeezed some extra fluid out of that seal?
The seal never leaked more than a few tablespoons of diff fluid (very little) . The case it still full as I checked… I can stick my finger down in the hole and touch fluid.
I was going to get the seal replaced this week. However, I noticed over the last week that is stopped leaking.
Could I have just overfilled the differential a few weeks back when I changed the fluid ? Maybe is expanded and squeezed some extra fluid out of that seal?
The seal never leaked more than a few tablespoons of diff fluid (very little) . The case it still full as I checked… I can stick my finger down in the hole and touch fluid.
bot0611
1/2 ton status
How far do you stick your finger in there??? hahahaha sounded dirty...
from what i know if you take the plug off you should be able to see the fluid from there also ida say change the seal if it leaked its cause of something going on.
from what i know if you take the plug off you should be able to see the fluid from there also ida say change the seal if it leaked its cause of something going on.
