Hello All!!

After I changed my axle, tranny started to leak. And it leaks pretty bad. I assume that i damaged differential seal when i was replacing axle.

How hard is to replace that differential seal. In addition thats a passenger side. I think i can remove old one with screwdriver, but not sure how to install new one w/o damaging it.

How much car shop would charge me for that? I'm located in Chicago IL

 

Press on the outer edge of the seal. A socket usually works.

 

New passenger side seals are tricky to install. Very hard to get to and getting a seal started without a driver tool really sucks.

When you get the new seal, take it to the hardware store and look for a piece of pipe nipple (2"?). There are ones that will fit over the lip and drive squarely on the case of the seal. Cost like $4, just be sure to drive carefully and not ***** up the seal. I had to deburr the end of my pipe piece since it was sharp but it works like a charm.

 

It sounds silly, but if you've never driven in a seal before, you might want to pull the old one out and then practice driving the old one back in until you get the hang of it. That way you won't ruin the new seal while you're learning. It's easy to get the seal cocked in the bore, and have to pull it out and start over.

It also helps to have somebody there with you to hold the seal driver/pipe nipple/socket/whatever centered on the seal while you're swinging the hammer.

Also watch out for the garter spring around the lip of the seal. It's easy to pull it off while you're futzing with the seal, and once it's off, it loses its tension and you can't get it to stay on.