Rear Differential Seals
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Rear Differential Seals
I have a 1987 F150 4X4. There is gear oil leaking into the passenger side brake drum. The rear end is the 8.8. I am assuming the seal on that side is bad. What will it take to replace it? Thanks.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
You'll have to remove the cover/drain the fluid.
Remove the tires/wheels and brake drums
Push in the axle shafts, and remove the C-clips on the ends of them inside the differential.
The axleshafts are different lengths so don't swap them.
Pull out the axleshaft and inspect the area where the bearing rides...is it pitted? Can you feel any abrasions with your finger tip? If it's not smooth, the axle shafts should be replaced.
Using a seal puller, remove the seal. Install new seal (can get one from autozone. You can tap the new seal in a little bit, then use the old seal as a spacer to hammer it in the rest of the way if you need to.
Remove the tires/wheels and brake drums
Push in the axle shafts, and remove the C-clips on the ends of them inside the differential.
The axleshafts are different lengths so don't swap them.
Pull out the axleshaft and inspect the area where the bearing rides...is it pitted? Can you feel any abrasions with your finger tip? If it's not smooth, the axle shafts should be replaced.
Using a seal puller, remove the seal. Install new seal (can get one from autozone. You can tap the new seal in a little bit, then use the old seal as a spacer to hammer it in the rest of the way if you need to.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5
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Just a note to add on the removal for anyone else trying this... After you pull the diff. cover you have to remove the center pin from between the axle's. It requires a 5/16" box wrench to remove the set screw. The center pin will slide out and you can then push the axle's in. The C-clips will fall off with ease. Once you get the axle's out, put the center pin back in to hold the top and bottom pinion gears in place while you deal with the rest of the task.
