Stupid question about rear axle shaft removal

[David Zelinski]

Hi all. I have a bad leaky shaft seal on the right rear stock Dana 70.

I need to change the seals. Has anyone posted a sort of "shaft seal replacement for dummies" instructions here?

I haven't been able to find much and wan't to do the work myself.

Thanks in advance.

Dave Zelinski
W4CPO

[fng]

Hey Dave, coincidently I just changed all mine recently. The rears are pretty simple really. They only have the one seal that fits into the backside of the hub.

All I did was , remove the wheel, the drum, and then the nuts holding on the hub. Then just slide the hub off and viola'. Remove and replace like any other seal. I did clean up the axle shaft with solvent and a scotchbrite just to get rid of the rusty crud buildup before I reinstalled the hub and seal.

I also repacked the bearings and had to replace the left rear due to flaking/galling on the brgs. Glad I did, it would've given me trouble later.

Anyway, it's a pretty simple process (Hey, I did it just by looking at the manual....), it's just messy and greasy to do. Good luck.

[Barrman]

Following the manual as FNG wrote covers it all. However, you might get stuck by the "washers" around the axle flange studs.

They are conical shaped and recessed into the flange. Get all 8 nuts, shackle mount and washers off. Then, yours will either pull right out or not move and drive you mad. Hitting the end with a big hammer, but not touching the studs, will knock the washers loose. Pliers will help pulling them off the studs. Then you can pull the axle shaft out and the job is just like any other wheel bearing service.

[kwai]

Hitting the end with a big hammer, but not touching the studs, will knock the washers loose.

I always hope for the stuck washers. No better therapy than whacking the axle with the BFH.

[Barrman]

Very good point. Doing the axles is really kind of fun. Just don't hit a stud or it will ruin your day.

[67U20]

If only the axles were drilled and threaded like so many other makes/models are. Just run a bolt in and 'jack' the axles out.

[Mikel]

I also repacked the bearings and had to replace the left rear due to flaking/galling on the brgs. Glad I did, it would've given me trouble later.

Why did you repack the rear bearings?

[kwai]

Why did you repack the rear bearings?

I always put grease in new bearings. It'll wash out over time but it does keep the new bearing lubed until the diff oil get's circulated.

[fng]

Yep, what he said.

[Mikel]

Interesting. I never did that.

What I do is find the nearest slope and approach it sideways from both directions so that gear oil goes into both hubs.