Hi Guys, I have a front passenger side front diff seal that is leaking and would like to replace it. The axle seems easy enough to move out of the way but does the inner axle inside the diff just pull out, fastened by a circlip on the end or do you have to go to more drastic measures. I am a licensed automotive tech but have not had to replace one of these seals before and time may be a factor as I need the truck to go to work. Thanks, Doug

Doug, do yourself a favor if this is the first one you have done and pull the assembly out. Then unbolt the axle tube and take it apart that way. There is alot of shortcuts on these, but if you wiggle it wrong, the washer will slide and you'll have to take it apart anyways. I remove the tube while the axle is in the truck, again, a short cut and you can do that if your comfortable.

I also just pull the whole tube and axle shaft out together. You dont have to do anything with the outter axle shaft besides unbolt it from the inner axle. Make sure that you put the gear that locks onto the axle the right way, one side has the teeth straight and the other side has them cut to engage smoother. I use grease to hold the washer on while reinstalling the assembly.

I take it that I have to pull the axle tube along with the inner axle? Is there a gasket b/w the tube and the diff or do they use sealant?

Its just anarobic sealer on the housing/tube.

Thanks a lot for the info. I will give it a go on the weekend, will have more time to do the job then. Doug