Rear axle play, seals, and brakes

[D13]

87 R10 8.5 5 bolt big brakes. Had a sticking right rear. pulled drum, shoes are tacky, assume oil soaked from axle seal, since wheel cylinder does not appear to be leaking.

Axle play is less than .005 up/down, .025 in/out. Is this OK?

So I'm assuming that I have to replace the seal, will inspect the bearing for damage (I'm assuming the play number above is OK). To do that I have to remove the axle which means the C clip. This is a gov-lock, do I have to remove the cross shaft to get the clips out?

Also noticed the pinion area is wet, can I replace the pinion seal without pulling the pinion out? I realize the the yoke ahs to come off, probably wouldn't hut to throw joints in it too.

Man, $15 worth of seals ruined $300 of brakes ( I don't think the drum is salvageable, and I always replace them in pairs...).

I may swap to discs, I have an Impala rear just sitting there. But I need to adress the axle leaks anyway.