QuestionQUESTION: i pulled my left and right front and rear springs and put some 2" spacers in, extended the struts and shocks etc. upon installing the right hand front coil spring my axle assy pulled out of the front diff. no problem i just slid it back in it and bolted everything back together, so i thought. now it's leaking diff oil between the plastic spacer (i believe its called the inner joint) and the diff. am i missing something? is there a seal in there that soemthing may have happend to? if so how do i r&r it? front left didnt' come out, i suppose becase it's bolted in.
ANSWER: I thought I answered this, but it is still on my list of questions, so here ya go....
The inner axles are retained by a internal expanding spring circlip in a machined groove at the inside edge of the axle. A serious pull, or a sharp tweak with a pry bar will release it.
One of two possibilities is probably the cause of your leak. First is that the axle isn't completely seated, and the seal lip isn't riding on the sealing surface of the axle shaft. The easiest way to seat it is to support the suspension, disconnect the upper ball joint, and using the mass of the suspension, seat the inner joint. (use the travel of the inner joint, and the weight of the outer suspension components sort of like a hammer to push it back together. Make sure you have rotated the axle back and forth until you can feel that the splines have engaged.
The other possibility is that the splines have damaged the axle seal, causing it to leak. All the above applies, after you have replaced the seal.
Good Luck, let me know how it goes...
scotty
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QUESTION: thank you very much for the fast reply. i think it's the second of the 2 possibilities, because the axle sled back in very easily and looks to be seated very tightly. i had it sitting for about a week, axle dangle half in and half out. i think that the weight of the axle, sitting on the seal just smashed it a bit. and it may take a week or so to reform it's shape. but if i DID tear or actually damage the seal, how do i replace it?
also, i live WAAAAY out in the country, and it's about a 10 our drive to get to the city to have them replace it. do you think that the car could make the drive if i check the oil level before i go?
AnswerAll you do is loosen the suspension, turn the steering wheel all the way to one side, which lets the axle and knuckle move farther, and withdraw the axle. Pry the old seal out, and using a socket or appropriately sized piece of pipe and a hammer drive the new seal in, the reassemble.
As far as driving it, if it's in 2 wheel drive, with the hubs disconnected, nothing up in front turns, so lube levels are of no consequence. It only counts if things are turning.
scotty
