$300 is not too bad and you say the seal is moved to the outer end of the tube? I remember when axle seals WERE at the end of the tubes! Maybe that's the rear axle, can't remember. But the passenger side is a seal I can do, drivers side is kicking my ***. Can't locate a diff spreader. So the seal and bearing for the intermediate and outer axle have to be removed? Will I have to bump up the capacity of the fluid? Thanks again!!!

 

Rear ends the seals are still at the end of the tube. Correct it will move it to the end of the tube (can look at the directions to see if you can do it) I remember them saying you may have to sand the tube a little bit for it to fit. Don't use a diff spreader use a ratchet strap hooked to the sway bay/frame/anything solid and with the ratchet slowly and it will come out. A diff spreader (I have) costs about $300. Seal I believe cab go or stay but the bearings remain as they still need to support the axle. No increase in fluids. Anytime! I'm glad to spread my little knowledge!

 

Ratchet strap! I've got a front receiver on it. Ought to able to hook to that. How about going back in with it? Thank you so much. Merry Christmas!!!

 

Yeah, axle seals on the older front axles WERE on the outer axle tube. I would like to shoot the engineer that thought the current design was better..... Replacing a ten dollar part went from a 100 dollar job, to a 1000 dollar job..... That's just farking stupid. Of course, they didn't ask me to approve the final design.... no idea why.....

 

Best bet to get it back in is stick the whole carrier in the freezer for a day or two then use a plastic hammer to hammer out in. If you wanted to go a step further heat up the case a little with a propane torch. The freezer and hammer truck worked for me the two times I did it (only ever rebuilt two axles which was one set from a single truck ). I bought the spreader to prepare rebuilding my 2500 axles as it got old getting it in and out without one lol. Never knew how they worked as it was one a buddies truck and he sold it about two weeks after it, but it ran with no noise.

 

An engineer getting advice from the actual mechanic that's nuts. After all that engineer knows best he has a college degree after all (sarcasm in case you can't tell lol)

 

Yep. Caught that.

Personally, I think they should make engineers work on the stuff they will be designing for a minimum of three years before they are allowed to design anything at all.

 

Exactly! I would like to know the logic behind putting the seal in that far. You think dirt would collect and eventually rip the seal

 

I don't think 'logic' or 'reason' played any role in moving that seal. I think it was some engineers brilliant "New" design, and some bean counter though it was cool.....

I seem to remember seeing 'conversion kits', to move the seals back to the end of the axle tubes..... But, I may have just dreamed that......

 

Agreed. I think their designing vehicles now to make it hard to work on as hard as possible , so you will have to take it to the dealer or local repair shop!!