How hard is to replace the pass side axle shaft seal? I have a leak, not bad enough to hit the floor, but smells a bit after hard braking. Is it worth doing in the garage or better left to a shop? I don't mind turning a wrench, just want to get an idea of what I'm up against. Also, should the axle shafts move laterally? Both sides move in and out approx 1/4 inch. Thanks for the help and Merry Xmas.

 

I have a 95 Z28 and I replaced the axle seals and bearings today. I'm trying to fix a problem and that didn't fix it so I'm on here searching for the answer to my problems. But to answer your question. It wasn't too hard, just really time consuming if it's your first time like it was mine. You do have to pull the axle out which involves, draining the rear end and taking the cover off. Mine also had about that much movement. But come to find out, the axle needed to move to remove the C clips that hold the axle in inside the rear end. If your going that far you might as well do both side and replace the bearings as well. I had to rent a slam hammer from the parts store to get the bearings out. It saved alot of time. Hope this helps.

Shawn

 

Shawn,

Thanks for the reply. It seems easier than I thought. What was your original problem that seals didn't fix?

Troy

 

I was getting loud noise what seemed to be coming from the passenger side rear wheel. I thought it was the rear bearing in the axle on that side. So I replaced both bearings and seals in the axle. That didn't fix the problem, so then I thought maybe the u joints or something. I took the driveshaft out and the brakes stuff off and it's still making the noise. So now I'm gonna change out the pinion bearing and seal. Maybe this will take care of it.

Shawn

 

My axle is apart tonight, too. Here's my sixty-second attempt at breaking it into steps:

Jack up the car
Pull the brake calipers
Yank off the rotors
Disconnect the driveshaft
Pull the differential cover & dump the stinky oil into a waiting bucket.
Remove the crosspin retaining bolt. It's an odd size, smething like 5/32
Pull the crosspin
Give one of the axles a whack to push it in.
Jostle it around to get the C-clip to fall out.
Remove the axle and inspect the bearing race surface for scoring / brinneling.
Do the same on the other side.
Get a hammer and a chisel, stick it into the seal and pry it out with a few good whacks.
Get the slide hammer out and yank the bearings out with force.
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Theoretical part here:

Heavily pack the new bearing with bearing grease. It'll wash out eventually but will offer protection on break-in.

Press in the new bearing with either an installation tool or a big fat socket and a lead hammer. Make sure it's fully seated before tossing the hammer.

Install the seal with a proper seal installation tool from NAPA.

Do the other side in likewise fashion.

Reinstall the axles if they are still good on the bearing races.
Reinstall the C-clips.
Reinstall the cross pin and retaining bolt
Reinstall the cover with RTV gasket.
Reinstall rotors and calipers.
Reinstall axle
Fill 'er up with the proper gear lube and friction modifier, if necessary.