While replacing front rotors on my '02 F350 7.3 6sp 4x4, i noticed that the outer axle seal is loose and not pressed into the axle tube. This is the seal inboard of the inner u-joint half, between the axle tube and the axle shaft. There are no leaks (I think the inner seal seals the diff fluid).
How critical is this? What causes this to pop out? Can/should the seal be worked back into position, without pulling the axle?
Any help appreciated. Thanks to all for a great forum.
That seal is just there to keep dirt out of the axle tube. Older models didn't have these. Mine were broken (pretty common) and I replaced them when doing my ball joint replacement. The seals are not pressed into the tube, but ride against the end of it. Not all that critical. Axle shaft would need to be removed to replace the seal.