2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Doing rear hub seals

[White Rat]

I have to replace a hub seal and all I have to work with is a haynes manual, which isn't telling me much. Is it as simple as pulling the axle bolts, axle, locking wedge and the adjustment nut to get the hub off? Are there any other tricks that I should know about?



Cheers

 

[Grizzly]

That's pretty much it. Put a drip pan under the hub and have plenty of rags handy. Good luck.

 

[AFellows]

Just as Grizzly said. Also jack up the side that your working on a few inches to keep the oil from dripping out.

 

[Dave M]

I assume you mean the rear oil seal on the hub and not the axle seal. If that seal or the axle seal is leaking then your brakes may be bad too.



I did mine about 2 years ago and it's just like was said. As was mentioned, jack up the side you are working on so you don't drain your rear end fluid cause the rear end fuid is what lubes the wheel bearing on a full floating axle, if that's what you got.



The axle nut takes a BIG socket so if you are going to set the torque on the bearing you need it. You might need to add rear end fuid so have that handy. I would not use limited slip additive (or use very little at a time) or you may end up with NON-limited (open diff) slip. Don't ask me how I know. I used 7 ounces like the manual said and it was too much.



Might be a good time to replace the brake shoes and adjust the emergency brake. I did that and checked the wheel bearings and repacked them and replaced the wheel cylinders too.



Dave

 

[AMikesell]

You will also need a 2 9/16" socket for that adjustment nut. When you go to remove the rear seal I used a 1/2" extention about 6" long and placed it on the bearing itself, there is enough of a contact surface that you will not damage to bearing and drive the seal out backwards. This is a simple job after you get through one. Andrew

 

[GKarpen]

The Haynes manual documents the procedure just fine.

 

[White Rat]

Thanks for reassuring that the haynes book isn't a total crock. I'm going to be doing the shoes, cylinders and diff oil also, I'm in there anyways.



What's the torque setting for the adjustment nut?

 

[AMikesell]

When I did mine I just put it back in the same position. You should be able to see where the keeper tab was put into the nut and replace it in the same place. Also you can check by making sure there is no play in the hub by moving it back and forth. Hope this helps, Andrew.