<br> How hard is it to change the rear axle seals on a 96 ctd, I am having problems with my hands and can not do much with them any more. So I was wondering if I can do it or have it done by someone else.<br><br> TIA<br> Mac.

 

Not sure what you mean by &quot;trouble with your hands&quot;, but I just changed mine (see post &quot;97 axle nut??). Other than removing the tires, the eight bolts that hold the axle in, the nut is removed using a large 2-9/16 inch socket. Probably the most precision or delicate work is removing and replacing the small &quot;lock&quot; for the axle nut-it is very small and somewhat fragile, but can be done will a small pair of pliers. <br><br>The hardest part was removing the seal itself from the hub. A considerable amount of pulling with one hand (using a seal puller) and holding the hub with the other hand. It takes alot of pulling, turn the hub, pull some more, etc. Probably 10 mins worth of tugging and turning untill the seal cam out.<br><br>If working on the brakes as well, then it takes lots of hand use and strength on those springs, (a brake sping tool would have helped) and you have to almost be three handed to get all that stuff back together. <br><br>One quick note, if you do decide to do the seals, don't make the same mistake I did. After torquing the nut, don't forget to back off 1/3 of a turn. I missed this step, but thanks to this forum, cought it in time. After backing off 1/3rd, then place the little lock or key. Use lots of diff lube on the bearings just before closing it up, then drive in figure of eights many times to move the lube outward to the bearings. Do not overfill and check your vent line or the leaks will return. Hope this helps, Kevin