axle seals...how hard?

[MinnesotaMuscle]

Well I have the tell tail of the axle seal gone on the passenger side, grease all over the inside of the rim.... even the dealer agreed. Question is, how hard are they to replace? I'm pretty good with a wrench, but never done a late model axle seal. any special tools? Do I need to tear into the rear end to remove the axle? I would have thought this would have been covered but I see allot of threads have vanished... anyhow thanks for the help/pointers...

[imorb1994]

No special tools are really required. But tearing into to the rear end is. You have to remove the pinion cross shaft in the diff. You will need to buy a new lock bolt for it when putting it back together. Then push the axles in and remove the C-clip. The only semi special tool needed is some sort of seal driver if it just a seal. if it an axle and the bearings need removed you will need a good slide hammer set.

When was your MM produced could it be a bad axle that damaged the seal?

[Got_1]

you don't "NEED" a seal installer tool. just a hammer will do. lightly tap around the outside of the seal until fully seated.

[bob6364]

I guess I'm a bad boy ...I never use a new lock bolt....I would put money on you buying an axle too.....

[justbob]

Ford will sell you the complete axle kit w/axles, bolt, bearings, seals, and oil, but no modifier for $298.00 if you ask politely, otherwise they want $417.00. Also you can rent the slide hammer for replacing the bearings for free at autozone. Don't forget to loosen up the ABS sensors and tap them out a 1/4" to be able to slide the axles ALL the way inward to remove the c-clips.


Oh, and don't spin the carrier without the axles in or have fun putting the spider gears back in.

[Got_1]

me thinks you quoted the wrong guy.

[justbob]

me thinks you quoted the wrong guy.Agreed, never mind the dumb. :)Fixed.


I guess I'm a bad boy ...I never use a new lock bolt....I would put money on you buying an axle too.....

Not a bad boy, i've reused that bolt on a few installs, never a problem, untill it stretchs and snaps off in the carrier. Ask me how I know!

[ImpalaSlayer]

not hard, just did this myself. and why int he world would a new bolt be needed? :confused:

[imorb1994]

not hard, just did this myself. and why int he world would a new bolt be needed? :confused:
It is recomended by Ford in almost all procedures that require disasembly of the axles, diff, trac-loc

[burt ragio]

Wy do you need to replace a bolt. It's called bolt stretch & correct torque.

[ImpalaSlayer]

that bolt dosent take any load, it holds the pin that takes the load in.

[MinnesotaMuscle]

Good to know guys, I'm really concerned about the axle bearings and axle being toast also.... I have yet to get the actual build date but it is the 2003.... My dealership hates me, but I still might ask about the recall on them that I heard about.... Think I have a chance? I do remember when I bought the car what had been done to it as it was a executive car always serviced by that dealer,and they never did say anything about an axle seal, bearing or axle itself....hmmmm

[Rockettman]

I've got to do this same thing on my '91 Mustang - it's the same 8.8 diff. apparently. The oil seal went.
Anyone have a good picture of the open differential with that "C-clip" and pinion cross-shaft?
Just to add: I thought it'd be a good time to swap out to 3:55 ring & pinion, until I found out how expensive that job is. Holy crap!! I've always been told that you need a wack of special tools for that, and it can't really be done at home.

[imorb1994]

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/5ohcpa/cpa5ohtech006.htm
This is what I'm using for reference while repairing my rear end^^^