Axle tube seals replacement question

[MountainGoat1966]

Has anybody replaced the axle tube seals in their 10 bolt front end?
I read where a special tool is required, and am wondering if there's a way to do it and not buy a tool that will sit in my shed never to be used again.

[Just call me Sean]

In my experience the axle seals leak because the axle shafts are worn. Other than a seal puller I can't think of what special tool you would need, unless you wanted to use a seal driver. I just use a hammer and if I can find something the size of the seal I'll use that too.

[MountainGoat1966]

My axles are worn so bad the axle u-joint on the driver's side rests on the lower ball joint stud.
I found a good used set of 28 spline axles, a good used limited slip carrier, and got the BK1 spindle bearing kits from NAPA.
Not sure if I am going to need a shim kit to install the carrier with my existing ring gear.
But I do plan on flushing the axle tubes and get all the crud out and reseal them.

[Just call me Sean]

Oops, I just realized you said front end. I was thinking rear end, so not sure how helpful what I said was.

[462loadtoad]

I just replaced mine and popped the old out with a big screwdriver and rented the bearing race install kit to install the seals.

One thing to note is that if this is the first time they are being replaced the old seals don’t have an axle guide attached to them, they have a stamped metal ring that will need to be removed ( just pulls out by hand). The new seals will have an axle guide built in.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/Re...rd=tool+rental

[MountainGoat1966]

Once I pry the differential carrier out, the seals should be accessible, to a point.
I don't expect it to be a real easy job.
And one drivetrain site I was on sells a special tool for the job, it looks like it's about three feet long ...