Axle Maintenance Question

jhc

Active Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
How difficult is it to re-pack and replace axle seals? I'm a rookie mechanic with a '95 2-door tahoe. Should I try this myself or leave it for the experts? Any special tools required?
 
Well it is not hard you will need to pull both axles. this will require you to remove the C clip that retains them and keeps the axles from coming out. these clips are located in the differencial. you will need to remove the diff cover. then you will need to remove the center pin that the Spider gears are on. there shoul be a small bolt/pin that you have to remove first. this secures the large pin. Once the large pin is remove then you can push each axle in toward the differencial. this will allow you to remove the c-clip.
Now you can remove both axles.
 
It's not too hard, but it's some work. Axle shafts have to be removed.
You may need a seal puller (a large screwdriver may get it)( a slide hammer if that doesn't get it)

Maybe a long piece of pipe to remove seals, just depends where they are. Inner seals may require you to remove the differential.

You'll need something the same diameter as the seal to drive it back in. (Socket, pipe, a piece of round stock aluminum).

It really depends on which axle you have. Here's an idea......

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/
 
Sounds like something you might want to watch done the first time. To someone who has dont it before, it is simple. To a rookie, it can become overwhelming. Actualy the worying about "am I doing this right?" is probably the worst part.

From one rookie to another, see if someone will do it for you and let you watch. Then you will have an understanding of what goes where and how it all fits together.
 
Get a haynes or similar repair manual from one of the auto parts stores. They have some errors and are a little vague, but I still think they are worth it.

Also have another vehicle available to drive to the store to pick up a tool/part/grease/etc that you didn't think you needed.
 
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