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

[Mike C]

Is this a half ton truck? You should be able to do seals without disassembling the brakes again. But you have to drain the differential and remove the spider gear pin in order to drop the c-clips and remove the axle.

Be careful rotating the differential case when you have the pin out as the spiders try to walk around the side gears and can come out along with their thrust washers. after pushing axles.

If you don't own one, buy a service manual. The GM ones are excellent. Pricy, but worth every penny if you are going to be your own mechanic.

[1968aj]

that's what I wanted to hear. I have a service manual . maybe its just me but that manual is confusing and seems directed more to the heavy duty trucks.

[hotrodder]

just did that on my 67, no need to remove the brakes.