Had my lift kit put on earlier this month and found the front axle seals to be leaking. Nothing major, but I wanted to change them anyway. We tried to get the axles to pop out, but even using a slide hammer, they would not budgeCensored . I decided to make it a project for another day. Anyone have some input on how to get the axles out and maybe even a possible posting of the complete procedure?

not sure if the new truck is a different design, but on my 89 k1500, you just have to knock them out. when i brought my whole front IFS assembly to my local 4x4 shop to have him do it since i thought a special tool was needed, he said he could do it but i just needed a bigger hammer. one whack with a 5lb sledge and out them came.

I have seen several cases of not being able to remove the left side axle flange, each time we tried everything and nothing would get it out. Tech. assistance instructed us to replace the entire front diff each time. There is a TSB for a pprocedure to use on the stubborn ones, although it has never worked for us...

8.25 and 9.25 Left Front Axle Shaft Difficult to Remove - kw 4wd bind clash clunk differential drive engage fork front gear GMT400 GMT800 GMT805 GMT806 GMT820 GMT830 hard information inoperative knock #PI01756 - (Feb 19, 2004)

8.25 and 9.25 Left Front Axle Shaft Difficult to Remove

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When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.

Condition/Concern:

Unable to remove the left front axle shaft.

Recommendation/Instructions:
<LI type=1>Remove the front axle assembly from the vehicle. Refer to published service procedures. <LI type=1>Position the front axle assembly straight up and down so the left stub shaft is facing upward.
Using a ball peen hammer, tap the left stub shaft flange down and up repeatedly until the stub shaft separates from the axle assembly. This step centers the c-clip in the retaining groove of the stub shaft.
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Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.

Models:

(1988 - 2004 All Light Duty Full Size Trucks 4WD)

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Thanks for the info. I sure hope that I won't have to replace the entire front diff. After all, the seals were under 20 bucks and I can only imagine the $$$ that the entire front diff would be.

I disassembled one from an 89.. same design. No special tools needed.