Doing the rear diff breather mod and rear bearings and seals this weekend

Haybale,

The mod for the breather took me about an hour or so. I found that the point where the fuel line goes under the filler tube is a point you will need to add a layer of extra tubing around the fuel line for the vent so the abrasion doesn't wear it down. If you reviewed Tim's video you will know what I am talking about, if not let me know and I will take a picture of what I did.

Also, keep track of time involved and any thoughts you have on this repair of the axle seals and bearings.

LMS

Thanks! I need to go check mine.

When changing the seals on 3 rearends that were original seals knowing they were factory installed. I noticed the seals were bottomed out on the ledge that is the axle housing design in the seal area. Not needing to change any bearings I studied and measured the depth the seal is installed into axle housing. Didn't want to have to move or flip retainer. When I installed new seals I did not bottom them out in the axle tube. Using a depth micrometer I installed the seals 3mm less than what they were which moved seal 3mm outboard on the retainer. The grease test showed good, axles have 5-20k miles on them with no prolems. I did this knowing folks were moving retainer flipping retainer, I wanted to find a different way to skin this cat with least amount of work and hassle.

96RR, that is an interesting strategy. How did you confirm that the seal was square in the housing (and would stay there)? And, 3mm is very precision work for a seal driver and hammer. How did you install precisely 3mm outboard? Perhaps what we need to make this job simple is a 3mm spacer for the housing, then the seal installed.