4x4 front seal question

[Odlaw]

Hey Guys, my right front axle seal started pouring yesterday - it left a puddle under my truck.
Anybody changed one of these? If so can you offer any pointers - I want to fix it myself today if possible.

Thanks
Smitty

 

[Matt C]

I've done a few, the right side is the worst but it's not so bad. Unbolt the CV shaft from the axle and move it to the side. The axle will pop out from the housing, problem is there is a little washer inside that falls out of place so you have to take the bolts out that hold the right side of the housing to the differental out, and the 2 bolts that hold the right side housing to the frame. Just beaware that when it comes apart the gears that lock in your 4x4 will come out too so pay attention to how they are so you can put it all back in. The axle is held into the gears with a round clip just like a CV shaft on a front wheel drive car and it can be a pain to get it to lock back in. If you have any problems let me know and ill try to help ya out.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

The right side axle shouldn't just pop out if the clip in there is correct. You should have to remove the right side axle tube from the diff housing to do the job.

 

[Matt C]

Guess i worded that a little funny, what i meant is with a pry bar it will pop out, but it won't go back in correct due to the little washer in there.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

Guess i worded that a little funny, what i meant is with a pry bar it will pop out, but it won't go back in correct due to the little washer in there.

That little washer in mine sits inside of a grooved washer so that it can't be popped out, but this may be different on other trucks. I know there was no getting mine out on my 95's front end without pulling the tube off from the housing and pushing the axle in to release teh clip from the grooved washer.