Hey...chanman3..Welcome to GC from Wisconsin.
You will not have remove the diff to repair the seal.
You will not have remove the diff to repair the seal.
.......You will not have remove the diff to repair the seal.
Dezz.. you must have meant in-correct..Reogem is correct above. The diff must be removed to replace the pinion seal.
You need to move the diff forward in the frame to separate the front driveshaft splines. The diff is essentially out at that point.
Then you need to remove the u-joint in order to gain access to yoke retaining nut. Then remove the yoke. Replace the seal and put it all back together.
I recommend you get a new u-joint when ordering parts. Many times u-joints get damaged or needle bearings lost when removing them. Additionally, for the work load involved to replace it, you might as well do it now since it's already out and on the bench.
Lol....I was tired....still am.Dezz.. you must have meant in-correct..eace:
What I meant was that the diff can be slide forward to pull the driveshaft and replace the seal. I should have provided a better explaination.
To me removing the diff involves much more work..to get the diff to the bench means pulling the knuckles, one end of the tire rods pulling the axles. If there is a winch that may need to pull out.
However if there is more damage as you explained then completely removing the diff is required.
Gotcha. I am only confused as to why I would need to unbolt the differential and slide it forward. Could i not just disconnect the u-joint and swing the drive shaft to the side to gain access to the yoke retaining nut? Then I could remove the yoke and replace the seal without ever moving the differential? I'm sure I'm missing something here, just trying to fully understandReogem is correct above. The diff must be removed to replace the pinion seal.
You need to move the diff forward in the frame to separate the front driveshaft splines. The diff is essentially out at that point.
Then you need to remove the u-joint in order to gain access to yoke retaining nut. Then remove the yoke. Replace the seal and put it all back together.
I recommend you get a new u-joint when ordering parts. Many times u-joints get damaged or needle bearings lost when removing them. Additionally, for the work load involved to replace it, you might as well do it now since it's already out and on the bench.