? on changing rear axle main seal.

[Diesel Dan]

Hello guys



I bought my 03 used w/ 56k on it and it did not have a working parking brake. Thought it was the shoes so i bought a new set and took it apart only to find a complately drenched parking brake assy. It is aparent that the rear main seal is shot. My question is does any know how to change a rear mainseal on a AAM 11. 5? do i need any special tools? do i have to pull the diff cover and disconnect the axle? etc etc etc.



Any info or comments are welcome.



FYI p/m me if anyone is interested in a mag hi-tech diff cover for a 11. 5. Almost new and in perfect condition.



Best regards



DD

 

[rbattelle]

Do you mean the pinion seal, or the axle seals? The rear main seal is on the engine...

 

[Buzzer]

I believe hes referring to the axle seal.

 

[rbattelle]

The 03 service manual actually gives no specific replacement procedure for the 11-1/2 rear axle seals. It's included with the bearing replacement on page 3-138. It says:



1. Remove axle shaft flange bolts and shaft.

2. Remove retainer ring from the shaft tube.

3. Remove hub bearing locking key.

4. Remove hub bearing with socket 8954 (special tool).

5. Remove hub and bearings from the axle.

6. Pry out hub bearing seal from the back of the hub.



I believe from the diagrams that you can forego the bearing removal (just leave it on the shaft) and pry the seal off the axle tube and replace it. Dodge claims you need special seal installer "8963", but from the diagram it looks to me like an ordinary seal driver would work fine.

 

[PLohr]

My 2003 Ram 3500 has the same problem. What did you use to install the new axle seal? I have a set of Mac tools bearing/race/seal drivers, the largest one is far too small to get the job done. By measuring the seal, the seal driver needs to be around 4. 25". Haven't found one yet... waiting on this to do the job. Thanks for any help.

 

[Tim]

A piece of pipe works wonders.

 

[KHogan]

A block of wood driven by a BFH, or a big rubber mallet alone will also work for seal installation. Just be careful not to cock the thing or bend it.



I spent five years as a tech at GM dealerships in the early '80's and you'd be hard pressed to find a set of seal drivers to cover all the different types/sizes at any dealer. Sometimes you just gotta improvise, LOL!

 

[DragRacer]

Old thread, but I've got LH rear axle seal with a BAD leak at 109,000 miles. Is the 8954 "special tool" absolutely required? If so, do the dealers usually stock them or is this usually a special order and wait an eternity.



Just found the leak this week and need to get it fixed this weekend before a 12 hour drive on Thurs.



Thanks,



Jason

 

[Bob4x4]

That special tool is has pins that fit into the nut to torque it... ... ..... so yes the right way would be to use the tool.



Bob

 

[DragRacer]

I pulled the axle this afternoon. The "special tool" is not necessarily needed. A screw driver and a hammer did the trick.



The inner seal was fried. It's all back together. No more leak.



Jason