Tractor Repair: Ford 4000 Rear Axle Seats, axle shaft, rear wheels

Question
Dear Arnie
I have a 1972 UK Ford 4000, with leaking rear axle seals, which is dripping down over the rear wheels. Would the axle have to be split or can it be done by removing the wheels & accessing the seals from the outside. Is this a DIY job? I have a some knowledge and abilities. Your help, advice & tips would be appreciated. Many Thanks

Answer
Hello,

  On a tractor with a straight bar axle where the axle shaft is not larger on the end and the hub is clamped onto it, the wheel and mounting hub can be removed, and the old seal can be pulled out and a new one installed without taking anything else apart.  Those cpi;d be a DIY job.  On a tractor with a flanged axle, The wheel is bolted directly to the end of the axle, which has a large mounting flange that is larger than the diameter of the axle shaft, so the seal can not fit over the end of it.  On those tractors, the rear axle housing must be removed, and the drive gears removed from the inner end of the axle shaft, and then the shaft can be pulled out to replace the seal.  On those, it's usually not a DIY job.