I am not familiar at all how the axle works or what it is made up of. But the other day I was going to do a rear brake job on my 1994 Trans Am. We were going to start with the right rear (furthest away from MC) and I noticed fluid all over my caliper, rotor and rear end (axle end). We definately determined it is not coming from the caliper or the brake line. I am pretty sure it is coming from the axle inside the rear end. I was told there is a seal and bearing inside the rear that might of been damaged. My dumb as$ friend backed into my Trans Am and hit that back corner and put a pretty big scuff on my wheel. Could this be enough to damage the bearing/seal.
How hard is it to replace the seal/bearing?
How do I know if my axle shaft is good or not?

I have done header swaps, opti installs most suspension installs, so I am not completly mechanically retarded. But for some reason I am a little nervous to break into the rear. I know you have to take off the rear cover and push the axle in about 3/8 of an inch to locate the c clip, but from there how hard/tediuos is this fix. Thanks and any help/advise would be great.

 

I highly doubt your friend damaged your vehicle.

it is simple to replace (if not time consuming). Take off your axle cover and drain it. Next take out the big pin in the middle of the carrier (after removing the bolt that holds it in). Now take out the C clip holding your axle in. Pull out the axle and there will be the seal.

Of course dont forget to take the wheel and brake caliper off

Probably what is making your nervous is the fact that you have heard not to mess with rears (I did and will agree with all). However, in this process, you do not touch critically set up items such as carrier preloads, pinion preloads, backlash so no worries.


Ben

 

Cool man, I really appreciate it. I really didn't think he damaged it either, but he was going to help me with the brake job. And he was the one to mention his fault. I get a discount at Oreilley's so the seal/bearing are only like 16 bucks.

now what about the axle. What should I look for to know whether or not the actual axle is damaged?

And i agree with you. The reason I was worrying about it is because I was worried I was going to need to take out the gears or carrier. So basicall take off cover/drain, take out big pin in carrier, remove c-clip, pull out axle shaft, replace bearing/seal, and reverse. Correct.

Oh, and how much differential fluid? How much additive? What brands? And what ft/lbs of torque on the 10 bolts holding on the differential cover.

 

You can check your axle straightness with a straight edge. They actually allow a 1/16" tolerance for straightness if you can believe that.

As for fluids and levels, the service manual will cover that. I would need to go to my CD manual for the tq requirements on the bolts. I highly suggest a Chiltons at the very least to give you some visual clue or go to the multiple websites that discuss this.

I found many sources when I was in the process of rebuilding.

You keep discussing bearings. Unless they are in bad shape, I would not do it. You need a special slide hammer to take it out and a special tool to put it in correctly. Not so with the seal.

GL
Ben