How do I have to replace the axle seals on my front axle on my 85? Do I have to get inside the pumpkin to replace them or can I do it from out side?

 

Which axle... details

 

Idk it's an 85 f250 4x4 6.9 idi independent suspension thats all I know and see no tag on it

 

Ok so its a TTB, which seal is leaking?

 

Passenger side were the axle shaft enters the pumpkin

 

IIRC that seal goes in from the outside. Been so long since i worked on one im having a hard time remembering what all you have to do. To take a stab at it, i would say unbolt the shock,springs, brakeline, radius arm and axle pivot on the drivers side and slide the axle out until you have enough room to pop the axle shaft out of the housing, then replace the seal.

 

Ok so it goes on from the out side so I don't need to get into the pumpkin to work on it correct?

 

I believe so, i cant believe no one else has chimed in here. But im 99% sure, having to pull the gearset to change a seal would be asanine.

 

Yeah I know right thats what I was thinking too I just wanted reassurance berfore I got into it . And yeah it would be stupid to have to get inside the pumpkin to change it since it ain't like you can easily get into it on that axle.

 

its still going to be far from easy. But the leaf axles are alot easier than the coil axles.

 

X2 on doing the seal from the outside on that axle

 

Assuming there are no large differences between an 85 and a 90 model, the passenger side seal and support bearing both go in from the outside. That being said, there is a c clip on retaining the axleshaft that is inside the diff. I don't know that it would be possible to change the seal without removing the shaft first. The driver side will slide right out, but watch for dirt built up in the axle housing.

Do yourself a favour and add a drain plug to the 3rd member while you have it out. I drilled and tapped a 1/4" npt hole and put an internal hex drain plug (fits flush) in mine.

 

Front axles use c-clips? I thought all fronts were "floaters" in case of failure

 

I dont think he means C-clip per sey. Once you have everything loose you just give it a good tug and it should pop out, like a CV joint, or our rear shafts.

 

I dont have any pictures but there is a physical c clip (or something along those lines) inside the diff that retains the axle. I'm guessing to keep tension on the axle, between the u joints and the slip joint it looks like the axle could work it's way out or at least start flopping without it. I'm not going to sugar coat it, pulling the 3rd member and re-installing it in the garage by hand was not a fun job.