I plan on replacing the axle seals on the front axle tommorrow. I think i have to pull the 3rd member to do so. Anybody have some tricks and tips on pulling it out or setting it back in (3rd member)?? Ive heard some horror storys about messing with these things. TIA -Jake

 

I have never done it but I have heard it is a pain. You will probabley need a "spreader" to pull out your gear chuck. Some don't. I believe the passenger side seal is the easy one. You may want to change you axle cross joints while you are at it. Especially if they are the OEM ones. Leaks almost always start when you remove the axle and have to put it back in.

A member at the TDR has made a tool to help installing the seals. I don't know much about it.

Link: http://www.tricountymachine.com/Fron...al%20page.html

This is a GREAT link to get more info the job: http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Fro...xle%20Tech.htm

 

Hemi Dart is right. You don't always need the spreader, but it makes the job much easier.

Hey Hemi Dart,

I'm going to guess by your username that you have a Hemi Dart. If so, post some pictures. I think that may be my favorite car on earth.

 

amartinson,

Nah, I don't have a HEMIdart. It's just a screen name.

It's my favorite car too.

 

stand a socket between the ring gear and the housing and as you turn the pinion it will push itself out. just look at the teeth on the ring the concave side has enough bit to hold onto the edge of the long socket and then the back side force of the pinion gear against the ring will gently slide it out. You dont need a spreader

 

From a post I did a couple days ago, hope it's not too late. My experience after lots of trucks is that the leak is most always due to overfilled differentials.

Seal replacement -
http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Fr...Axle%20Tech.htm

First make sure you really need to replace the seals. If the axle tube came out during the struggle to remove the rotor oil will leak past the seal into the axle tube where it can take a month or more to completely leak out.

The seals will also leak if the differential is filled to the bottom of the fill hole instead of the factory recommend 3/4" below the bottom of the hole. Just lowering the level will stop a leak but it will still take a while to clear up since again the axle tube takes a long time to drain.

 

I just went through changing my gears and I found out that a claw hammer works really easy. It worked like a charm on my front and rear axles. I just put the claw in the case and the nose of the hammer on the gasked surface and it popped out.

 

Got the seals in yesterday. Not too bad of a Job. Ring gear assembly came right out with the pry bar. Seals came out with a long pipe and hammer. Passenger seal went in with a very homemade reverse seal press. Driver side went in with a socket and hammer. Dont want to do it again, just because i had such a hard time getting the rotors off (If i had only known of the socket trick). I think i could have one side off with the axle out in about .5hr now . Got new calipers and turned rotors too. Along with 4 new ball joints. Took 3.5 days, but i take my time along with this being my first. Thanks every body for all the help!