I have everything out on the rear axle except the inner seals. They look like the newer ones but they are leaking, so I am replacing them. Need something long with a hook on the end???
Usually the outer races must be removed and like you said,a long hook or an old broom handle..
I should be more clear. The car is running, but leaking onto the brakes. I took the wheel off to replace the inner seal. What would be long enough to reach inside the housing to remove the seal. The axle is still in there. Need something like a screw driver with a hook on the end.
I think you are going to at least crack the pumpkin and do them ,one side at a time.
Use the outer bearing shell puller and then hook the inner seal and remove it.
If you don't want to pull the diff apart, leave the inners and just pull the outer bearing sleeves and fit the modern seal.
Done this before. Little wire with a tiny hook on the end worked for me.
Dave -- Frank's method works-
You have to remove the outer bearing sleeve with a puller that is available from most of the parts suppliers. Then you can pull the old seal out with whatever it takes - usually a screwdriver but you can make a fancy puller hook if you want. I used a coat hanger!
Clean thing up and put the new seal in place being careful to not nick it on the keyway. Then put the sleeve back in place making sure to align the hole for the grease.
Next mark the end of the sleeve where it sticks out because the modern seal is thicker. remove the sleeve ( by now it will be easy because you've had some practice) and grind the end of the sleeve so it is flush with the end of the axel housing.
Put it all back together with a new outer seal, add grease, and go for a ride!
By the way have you replaced your thrust washers?
Here, try this ala Steve Jelf. I did outer seals last month. Might as well do both sides while you are at it.
Jelf's AxleVid.webloc (0.3 k) |
Well , that didn't work.
Try this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfxWPsF4KhQ
You can pilfer the much heavier wire from an old fridge and make a hook. I slaughtered my wife's dish rack when she wasn't looking.
Not trying to add to the problem Dave but the axle's do tend to want to move to one side or the other without the outer bearing in place so jiggling it while pulling would probably help. Or at least hold it centered in the housing hole.
Only small problem with Steve's video is it doesn't show how he got the old seals out.
I don't have a sleeve puller, but just use a small screwdriver to pry up a corner of the sleeve where it is split. Then, I use a needle nose pliers to "grab" thread edge (that's pryed up) and give a quick pull on the pliers. The sleeves usually come right out. You must be careful not to bend or spring the sleeve.
Then I use a dental like tool (from any auto store) that has a pointed hook on one end and a curved hood on the other to fish out the old seal.
Sometimes when the inner bearing race shell gets stuck and just will not come out, I put a hose clamp around the axle and place a small nut in the locating hole. When I screw in the clamp the hose clamp pushed the nut down and lets the dimple release from the locating hole.
The removal tool is twisted and the twisting action is supposed to free the dimple from the hole in the axle tube. So what I am saying is that sometimes the removal tool does not do its job and you have to use the hose clamp with the little nut to break it lose. Then use the pulling tube tool
A friend gave me a piece of welding rod. I bent the end and with some finagling I got it out. The modern inner seal looks fine, so don't know why it was leaking. I will replace it with another new one although I will use a little permatex before I put it in and I will use the new outer seal. That should keep the grease in.
Next project will be to reduce the amount of oil running down the inside of the drive shaft housing. I wish I could drill a hole in the housing so the oil would just drip out, but I am sure it is also a way for dirt to get in.
Dave, William, I used a thin piece of coat hanger (the T'rs friend) bent a small 90 degree bend on it and dressed the hooh with a file. stuck it in fished it out, really simple.
George n L.A.