rear differential axle seal replacement

[centex99]

anyone have a walk thru or video on this? trying to decide if I want to do it myself or take it in...

 

[Explorer_PL]

There are some write ups on that, in the 3rd gen section I believe. The rear diff are all the same from 02-10. Ford came up with an updated seal, since it was a common issue on all of them.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/2003-explorer-rear-differential-leak.254755/

I think the video is more about the driveshaft seal not the axles.....

 

[Briggslite]

I just did my rear axle seals about a month ago. The first side was painful but the second side went really quick, if I had it to do over again I'd see how much a shop would want to do it as I wasted several evenings with needing different tools and such, but after doing it you'll see it's not that bad.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...en-aussie-locker-install.318076/#post-2738682

That link is really solid info, the rear wheel hub/knuckle is significantly different on the 4th gen so don't be surprised when it looks different. Just unbolt the bolts and make it happen. Block of wood and a BFH to pop the axles out. I had to pry out the axle seal which sucked... The aluminum is really soft (obviously) so be careful and don't damage the surface too much. It was a two-man job to push the axles back in with the replacement clips on the end, myself on the ground lining it up right and having someone else push on the end of the axle to pop it back in. The only thing I don't think is really discussed in that link that was helpful in my service manual was how to remove the tension from the parking brake. If you don't know, you have to open the drivers door, pull on the parking brake cable below the vehicle and push a round object (drill bit was good for me) into the hole in the side of the parking brake pedal. Then you can disconnect the cable from the coupling piece below the rear door.

 

[centex99]

Eh... I may just pay the ~ $160 in labor then.