AAM 11.5 brake and axle housing issues

[DerekW]

Hey I have a 2004. 5 dodge with cummins and DRW. I took the rear brakes apart on the one side of the rear of the truck the other day with no problems once so ever. I took apart this side and am having some problems with the hub seal. When I pulled the truck apart on the one side the hub seal come off with the hub and rotor. The side I am working on now the hub seal is stuck on the spindle. The seal moves about 1/16th of an inch in the on and off direction, but will not come off the spindle even with two feet on the leaf springs pulling as hard as I can. I cannot destroy the seal because I did not buy a replacement. I live in the middle of nowhere and cannot get a ride to the nearest autoparts store. I have GOT to reuse this seal but it simply wont come off. any parts schmatics to depict why the seal would be stuck would be helpful cuz This is the first AAM I have taken apart before. I have lots of experience setting up just about every other kind of rear end even some of the odd ones (former 4wd shop employee 2 years). This is only my second time taking apart a full floating rear end well actually my 1st but I watched one day after off the clock someone take apart an old 14. 5" on a GM. So this is the 1st. Any help as to how to get the seal off the spindle without tearing it up would be really helpful cuz I am stuck at home until the truck is put back together.

 

[flattracker]

Why are you pulling the hub if you are not replacing the seal?

If you are just doing a brake job the rotor simply slides off the wheel studs, if stuck apply penetrating oil and then leave lugs loose and do a couple of brake applications on jack stands will pop right loose.

 

[jelag]

Are you sure that the emergency brake shoes aren't hitting a lip on the edge of the drum and binding... . that's about the distance you'd have if they were... . have you left the ebrake on and could have damaged the drum...



Or you might simply have to back off the brake shoes first to pull it off...

 

[Hoefler]

I am not sure of the AAM, but in the bigger axles that I have worked on, the seals have an internal sealing and wear surface. Meaning that the lip that goes on the spindle does not rotate on the spindle. It is a press fit much like the fit into the hub. It is not uncommon for the seal to stick on the spindle when removing the hub. Needless to say, if you are in this situation, seal on spindle, you will need to replace the seal assembly. It is a one time install and removing it will destroy the press fit it needs to work properly.