Front Axle seals

[azcummins]

Well after pulling my rotors out on Tuesday night, both axle seals are now leaking. I did pull out the axle shafts so I guess I boogered the seals up when I put the shafts back in.



Does anyone know how to replace the seals? They are pretty far in there - at least 18" so I can't get to them with a regular seal puller so I'm thinking either there is a special tool or I have to replace them from inside the differential. Anyone done this or know how it is done?



Thanks!

 

[Jeff Knight]

I would run the truck for a while. Some oil gets in the axle tubes and it takes a while for it to get out of there. If not the left side you need to pull the carrier out to get to it. The right side is in where the vaccum motor is mounted to the axle. Hope this helps. Jeff

 

[LSMITH]

Spray some simple green up the tubes as well as you can and then rinse with water, if you have a leak in 2 days you have a problem, if not drive happy.

 

[azcummins]

I've had the leak for about a week now. Somedays it leaks, some days it doesn't. I dunno. .

 

[azcummins]

I've had the leak for about a week now. Somedays it leaks, some days it doesn't. I dunno. .

 

[rraulston]

i let mine leak for a month and it sealed up. I took my rotors off and had them turned. When i took them in, the guy at the brake place told me they just turn them on the truck nowa days. OUCH. All that work for nothing... ... RRR

 

[azcummins]

RRR---I've heard both sides of the story on rotors so I spent $44 a piece and just did it as I saw was right. Changing them isn't hard at all and I learned a lot about brakes when I did it. Consequently... also about seals! I'll keep an eye on them. I plan to change my front end fluid this week so maybe new fluid will take away some of the gunk clogging them up...

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

AZC,

I had a seal leaking from the factory. It took a special tool and about three trips to the stealer to get it fixed. If the seal is not pulled down the axle enough it will leak forever. Maybe you stuffed the axle into it. No big deal. Local Autozone has alot of tools to loan for free. If they dont have the tool for the job, they will order it. Try them if you have one local. Seals are cheap at dealer. It does take a couple of hours for the shadetree to change them. Greg

 

[azcummins]

Greg-

thanks for the advice. I'm going to look into new seals and the main't req'd. Luckily I have a friend who works for a stealer who can come help. I feel like Robin Hood... stealing from the rich to give to the poor!!

 

[illflem]

Here's good instuctions on what's involved http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Front Axle Tech/Front Axle Tech.htm



Dealer charges around $150 per side, well worth it when I value my own time.