Axle Shaft Seal replacement

[jremington59]

I replaced both CV axles on my 97 AWD and now I have a leak on the passenger side coming out of the differential. I ordered the new seal and I've never replaced one. I've heard you need a special tool to put it in. Is this true? Any info from someone that has done it will be appreciated.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

The location is a p-i-t-a to hammer in the new seal. Get a helper to make this MUCH easier. Pulling the old one is simple. Since you have already done a replacement you know how to take out the CV axle. With the truck on stands, slide under the truck from the rear of the wheel-well. I found a standard seal puller works well (looks like a mini pickaxe, cost about $10), while other people like to fight it with a pair of channel locks.

Note: There is an internal spring in rubber seal so be carefull when handling that you don't accidentally push it loose during the install. If it come out you usually cannot tell until after you put the whole thing back together and it starts leaking.

Clean off the sealing area, then line up the new seal. If you had more room the standard approach would be to turn the old seal around and use it as a hammering surface to seat the new one then whack away. But you don't have space to swing a hammer - this is where your helper is needed! I slid a 1" dowel rod through the opening where the CV axel would normally sit. While under the truck I placed the new seal in position, then held the old seal over it with the left hand and guided the dowel with my right as my wife tapped the dowel with the hammer.

Worked very well after much frustration trying to seat the darned thing by myself. BUT -if there is an inexpensive tool made to do this operation by one person someone please post! I'll buy one.

 

[Turdle]

Maybe a chunk of PVC pipe with a cap on the impact end?

 

[jremington59]

I can see it's going to be about as much fun as changing the drivers side control arm tomorrow, lol. I thought that was going to be about a 15 min job until I actually looked at it. I like how they put the hard lines behind the bolt head.