Hi. I'm new to these forums. Just a country boy. I am looking for a little help on replacing rear axle seals on my 01 150 4x4. Have done considerable wrenching in the past, but never on anything newer. Looking for some source for free repair manuals or tech advice online. Is that possible, nothing is free. Hope you fellow ford guys can help. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

I don't know of any free online manuals that will help much. You might want to consider buying a manual for your truck for now and any repairs you might do in the future. It will probably be a good investment.
Replacing the seals is pretty easy. Basically you remove the wheels, brake calipers and rotors, rear diff cover, remove the spider (pinion) shaft, C-clips and then the axles.
Besides the new seals you'll also need some brake cleaner for cleaning the parts, RTV silicone for resealing the diff cover, approx 3 qts of 75W140 oil and a bottle of friction modifier to add to the oil if you have limited slip.

 

When replacing the seals, should I go ahead and do both sides?

 

Why not? you would have everything apart anyway. So you mind as well go ahead and do it.

 

I would say you don't have to do both seals. Do the one that leaks and go on. I've never seen both seals fail no matter how bad the damage inside the axle.

 

I just did both of mine and rear bearings. My thinking is if they're the same age and one failed how long before the other one fails? or is the price of a seal (5 or so bucks) worth pulling your rear end apart twice? Change both and check your axle vent

 

Thanks for info. Job wasn't too bad. I did do both, the oil isn't cheap so doing both sides is best option