need help with axle seals.

[1968aj]

I just put new brake pads on rear of my 1969. looks like axle seals are leaking . do I have to remove brakes to put new seals in? still have factory drum brakes with 6 lug. found new drums pads and wheel cylinders at local auto parts. after 4 trips because Chinese junk were mislabeled and got wrong parts. it took me all day after swapping parts so I just put it back together without replacing seals because it was getting dark. any advice? THANKS