doing a complete housing swap/front end rebuild, only question i have is are there any tricks to removing and replacing the front axle seals? FSM shows a simple removal with SST and install with a drift
doing a complete housing swap/front end rebuild, only question i have is are there any tricks to removing and replacing the front axle seals? FSM shows a simple removal with SST and install with a drift
To remove them use the claw type puller and give it hell.
To replace them definitely take a seal driver ( I've got the good little lisle set) it makes all the difference in the world; the first seal I set with a drift going bit by bit around the perimeter and even then I slightly slightly distorted the metal perimeter of the seal...with the seal driver it went in super easy and super even the whole way. HTH.
I think I paid $25 for the puller kit and $10 for the seal driver kit from Harbor Freight...and they both worked great recently on the rear axle seals on my 100.
I replaced my seals this past weekend. Two tips for you. If you use a claw puller to remove the seals, dont gouge the axle tube wall. Make sure the claw is set in the seal and not behind the seal. The lip of the seal may break through but it will come out with a couple of tries. I don't have a seal setting tool so I use the bushing press tool that came with my OME suspension and a brass drift. Worked like a charm.
Would freezing the seal to shrink it make installation easier? I finally thought of this before the last of my four kingpin bearing race installations, and it did help ease the installation.
I used the Harbor Freight T-type seal puller to remove my axle seals. For future work I plan to purchase an installation tool as mentioned by spressoman, to more easily avoid deforming the new seals during installation.
So that seal inside the knuckle looks easy enough (famous last words)
It appears that the inner thing that i was thinking was a seal is really just a "guide" and is part of the housing. Correct? That is the one i was stressing over!
The "Guide" is used to assist you in supporting the rear axles as you align them with the splines of the differential side gears. These sheet metal guides are a "press fit", which means they could be knocked out of place. Re-installing them is a frustrating task, especially the long side.
The inner axle seal is a easily serviced consumeable component, and is located at the end of the axle tube
ditto and triple or whatever in using a seal puller to get at it, you will not get it out otherwise.
however, putting it back in? i highly suggest using the proper size seal driver kit. There is nothing worse then seating the seal unevenly or crushing it while using a socket or a minitruck seal driver. trust me, just did it on my truck and it was not fun tracking another seal down. took a few days.
The "Guide" is used to assist you in supporting the rear axles as you align them with the splines of the differential side gears. These sheet metal guides are a "press fit", which means they could be knocked out of place. Re-installing them is a frustrating task, especially the long side.
The inner axle seal is a easily serviced consumeable component, and is located at the end of the axle tube
