Front axle seal
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: North Idaho
Front axle seal
I am in the process of doing the ball joints on my pickup and when I pulled the axle out it is slightly damp. My question is , do I have to pull the gear set out to change the seal, or can it be changed from the end of the tube? If I have to pull the gears out, how much of a chore is it going to be?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Yes you have to go in from the gears. There is a special tool that presses both seals in at the same time..As far as removing the diff most times it goes ok sometimes you may need a case spreader..If its just damp and the level is good maybe they are ok..
Dick
Dick
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Jackson
Inner seal is a big job,like 99f350 said if it is slighly damp I wouldn't worry about it if the tube was soaked with du fluid then i would say that would need to be addressed,sometimes if rear is slightly overfilled and the truck is lifted slightly on one side it would simulate a leak, you are going to need a special tool to install that outer seal onto the axle and also the same tool to install axle and seal into knuckle, otc and lisle makes it. I bought my otc tool on ebay,was cheaper than the tool outlets. Hope that helps, good luck!
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: North Idaho
No major leak, just a little damp in the tube. I changed the seals in an '84 Suburban I had a few years ago and it was relatively easy, even with pulling the gears. I was hoping this would be just as easy, if not I will wait until I see major leakage before I change the seal.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR
On a Dana 60 it isn't too bad because the carrier shims are installed under the bearings, so you don't have to worry about keeping track of them. I did inner seals when I changed gears even though they weren't leaking. Get the Ford seals from directfordparts.com or FTE Parts Guy, much cheaper than the dealership and a better seal than most aftermarket seals. I was in a hurry and had to buy from the dealer because my carrier install kit came with the wrong seals.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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I replaced mine a few years ago, fluid would leak down off the lower ball joint. It's not a real hard job, I did it one saturday. I did not use a spreader but I did use the special tool to install the seals. If you have a dana dealer you can get the seals cheaper from them than from Ford and I would think they are the same seals.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
I didn't use a spreader either, its really not necessary on the D60, you just have to be sure and start the carrier in straight with the carrier races on flat, then just tap it in with a dead blow or brass drift. I just used a race the right size to drive in the seals, but it was difficult to keep from dinging the race cutouts in the housing while doing this.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: North Idaho
Thanks guys. Since it was only damp with no visible oil leaking I just reinstalled as it was because I had to get it back together so I could go to work. I still have the passenger side to do and if it is not leaking, I won't worry about changing the seals. It sounds as if it is going to be more than just an afternoon project if it comes to pulling the gears.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR
It takes a few special tools and a lot of time if you haven't done it before. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a very competent mechanic. A good shop can do your truck in one day, it took me 3-4 days on the floor in a COLD shop this December. I had the time so I bought the Differentials book from Randy's Ring and Pinion and did the reading beforehand, that definitely helped a lot. Still though, expect to buy a few hundred dollars worth of tools and probably some extra shims and oil baffles because some will get damaged taking bearings on and off to change shims. The absolutely necessary tools that the average mechanic might not have are a large bearing splitter, dial indicator with magnetic base, press, and a good set of bearing and race drivers.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Kendallville IN
I can handle the job it was more what tools I needed. From the sounds of it though if it's going to take that much time I'll let someone else to it. I dont have any of those tools either so that sums it up for me. If I just had a warm shop to work on it in the winter I might try it the rest of the year I'm too busy though.