Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

On my 86 2wd, fluid is seeping out on the rear passenger side.

I need to get it fixed soon - anyone have a good link for this?

Thnx!

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Are you sure it's not brake fluid leaking from the brake cylinder? It's easy to check. Pull the wheel off, then the brake drum. It should be pretty obvious if the the leak is coming from the the cylinder.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Actually you maybe right - because the brakes grab pretty hard on the opposite side it seems.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

1/2 ton or 3/4 ton with floating axle?

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

It's a half ton, how do I tell floating axle?

It has leaf springs and shocks....that all I can tell ya... :)

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Probably has a 10 bolt which isnt a floating axel.
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Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Yes it is a 10 bolt.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

ok if it is a wheel seal. take tire and drum off then take diff cover off remove center pin for the alxe shafts and pull the axle out remove the seal and reasemble. not htat bad at all.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

There's a C-clip somewhere in there.;)

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

I did this same fix recently on a F*rd rear end, it's not that difficult. The hardest part for me was because I was determined to change the bearings while I was there, and pulling the bearings out was difficult, my slide hammer didn't do the job.

All the difficulty surrounding differentials is setting up the ring and pinion, and you shouldn't need to mess with that, so that's good news for you.

Two possible pitfalls that can make this difficult. If it's a posi rear end, sometimes the spring can be difficult to install, I know mine was.

Here are the basic steps: Like 86c20 said, take off the rear tire and drum.

Remove the differential cover.

Remove the differential center pin (also called the pinion pin). This can be one of the tricky parts because there is a set screw that holds it in, and the set screw is often broken. Sometimes you can fish it out with a pick ( I got lucky), otherwise it will have to be drilled out. If it DOES need to be drilled, there is a kit you can buy for like $30 and it is WELL worth it because it comes with a guide and a specialty drill bit.

With the center pin out, remove the spider gears, and push the axle shaft towards the differential to expose the C-clip. Pull the c-clip and pull the axle shaft out.

Now you have access to the seal. Pull the seal, replace, and installation is the reverse. Clean the differential cover really well and install a new gasket or new RTV.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

To familiarize yourself with the terminology and workings of a differential, you can buy a book or DVD that will show you how to rebuild them. You won't need ALL that information, because you won't actually be removing the carrier or messing with the ring and pinion, but it's not bad information to have. It will tell you all about the spider gears, pinion pin, c-clips, and how to deal with the springs inside a posi rear end (if you have one).

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Looks like it's the axle seal. You can smell the gear oil and the entire drum and shoes are coated.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

yea there is one of them to lol if the shoes are coated thro them the hell away i dont care how new they are. i have known some cheap asses and they soke in gas dry and reuse. witch i have done to.... for a few days till i get new( i live on an island parts are hard to get some times). i would also say do both when you do it

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Oh no, she'll be getting new rear brakes for sure.

Half tempted to do a rear disc conversion. lol

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

good. if you do a disc swap let us know how and what you do. i want to do it on my 3/4 and 1 ton. but here so many things back and forth on it

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

From what I can tell the one glaring issue is the handbrake. I'll need that, and the cheaper DIY conversion I seen doesn't retain it. In the end, she'll most likely just get new drums and shoes lol

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

3/4 & 1ton 14bolt I'd use the Eldorado calipers. 1/2ton???

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

other owner had some welding done back there in my 88
lasted a while
I put new offset bearings in

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Question - I just replaced the wheel seals a week or so ago, cleaned everything up very well, and tapped the new seals in squarely. I noticed that they started leaking again the next day when I went to finish up the brakes, so I left it sitting on the jacks in disgust lol. So, I'm getting ready to do the job AGAIN. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but this time I'll be applying RTV to the outer edge of the seal and a bit of bearing grease to the inside.

Any other tips so I don't have to do this again?

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

I haven't done a set in quite a while (1990's ?), but I always make sure new seal is wet. Little smear of grease, oil, atf... depends on what I'm working on. No dry starts, new seals can be torn and/or burnt before the 90w can get to them.

Does the axle have a lot of slop moving it side to side?

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Yes it's a half ton.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Like donut suggested, coat the new seal with oil or grease to prevent burning the seal before the oil gets a chance to lubricate.

My other suggestion would be the surface of the axle where the seal sits. Did you inspect that for pitting or wear? Double check the dimensions with a caliper to make sure you've got a proper match?

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Thanks for the help, guys (OP - sorry to jack your thread). Everything looked smooth and appeared to be a good fit, but I will get calipers on them to be sure. I hadn't driven the truck since I put the new seals in, they started seeping while it was still sitting on jacks. I'll grease them this time, tho. Should have it all back together in the next few days.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Make sure your vent tube is not plugged.

Re: Help, I need to replace a leaky axle seal - never done it before
 

Did not think about that at all. Thanks!