How to:front diff oil seal replacement

[Mellemel]

The passenger side front diff oil seal is dripping badly again after the shop supposedly fixed it about 3 months ago ! I want to replace it myself this time,but need help with the procedure. I need a write up with pics if anyone has one.
Do I need to take off the LBJ ?
Help please.:hello::thanks:

 

[shootmymime]

The passenger side front diff oil seal is dripping badly again after the shop supposedly fixed it about 3 months ago ! I want to replace it myself this time,but need help with the procedure. I need a write up with pics if anyone has one.
Do I need to take off the LBJ ?
Help please.:hello::thanks:

so i did my driver side about a year ago, no problems.


put new seal in the freezer
take the tire off,
remove the axle nut cover with screw driver,
remove cotter pin and axle nut
remove lower ball joint castle nut and drop it off from the lower control arm (or support the LCA and unbolt the 4 LBJ bolts.
with a pry bar remove the axle, there is a C clip retaining ring attached to the axle inside the diff that makes it difficult to just slide the axle out, it will need to be pryed out.
make not of the placement of the seal and the depth that it is installed, (generally flush with the housing or maybe recedded in a touch)
once the axle is out, remove the old seal, be careful not to score the housing.
drive the new seal in, i think i gently tapped it around the edge very lightly multiple times going in circles.
let the new installed seal warm up from being in the freezer before trying to put the axle in, it could cause the seal to rip from being cold.
lube up the new seal with gear oil or some sort of oil/ jelly.


put it all back together, make sure axle get shoved back in straight without putting a bunch of weight on the new seal. and the c clip gets locked into place.

 

[Mellemel]

Thanks, so the C clip on the axle in the diff will stay in place will it as I pry the axle out ?
Does it need some force to push it back in again ?

 

[shootmymime]

Thanks, so the C clip on the axle in the diff will stay in place will it as I pry the axle out ?
Does it need some force to push it back in again ?

it will and should come out with the axle there is a grove in the axle that it stays in, just double check its there when you pull the axle out.

it should take some (but not as much) force to get it in.

 

[Mellemel]

Ok, sounds straight forward enough. The shop that did the work previously used a NAPA seal, that could have been the problem or they got the depth wrong ! OEM next.
Thanks for the instructions. They had all the nuts off recently so they should remove easily again now. My girl is 19 ! :wink2:

 

[shootmymime]

Ok, sounds straight forward enough. The shop that did the work previously used a NAPA seal, that could have been the problem or they got the depth wrong ! OEM next.

Thanks for the instructions. They had all the nuts off recently so they should remove easily again now. My girl is 19 ! :wink2:

I used parts store seals. Work good for me.

The hardest part might be getting the Lower ball joint out due to it being a press fit.
A big hammer helps.

 

[nobb]

I used an SKF seal ($5) 2 yrs ago because I couldnt justify a $20 OEM seal from the dealer. Still holds up fine. Seals aren't rocket science and most decent seal manufacturers have them designed properly.

The install is more crucial. Make sure it's in straight and also riding on a smooth sealing surface on the axle. When in doubt, do the grease test.

 

[shootmymime]

When in doubt, do the grease test.

?? whats that?