front diff seal help

[ash98fordexp]

hey all.. newbe here... whats the easiest way to change the front diff seal on a 98 ford ex xlt? any help would be great thanks...

 

[techieman33]

You'll have to pull the front diff out of the explorer. There is a write up around here somewhere. But the short of it is remove the cv axles, the front driveshaft, and then the 3 bolts holding the diff in place. There is a breather tube attached to it that you will also have to pull off but you'll have to have the diff partway down before you can easily get to it. Then it's just a matter of removing the cover, cleaning up both surfaces, and putting some rtv on it to seal it back up.

 

[ash98fordexp]

ok thanks .. ihave a repai manual for it but wasnt looking forward to doing all that for a cheap seal but i guess there isnt any choice...thanks again

 

[gijoecam]

Which seal are you talking about? There are three: Two axle seals and one pinion seal.

The diff cover does not have a seal. Use RTV.

 

[ash98fordexp]

well after looking into it more i found it is the seal the drive shaft goes into not sure what it is called but it was wet right up to that part so it leaked down to the cover making it look like the cover was leaking which it isnt..

 

[gijoecam]

Pinion Seal. Simple to replace, though that may not fix it. Once the old seal wears a groove in the yoke, it's tough to ever get a new seal to seal on it. Luckily a new yoke is only about $50.

 

[ash98fordexp]

ok i have notice a little bit of a gap from the ujoint to the rear of the diff.. im not sure but is there suppose to be a gap or is it suppose to be closer i can get a pic of it tonight the wife has my truck right now for work been leaking sence i got it so it needs to be taken care of

 

[ash98fordexp]

ok so the yoke is fine is there a puller to remove the seal? i have a way to install the new one just wanted to know before id try to remove it with regular tools.... i think i read somewhere it wasnt good to scratch the inside if the diff houseing where the seal would be any info please?