Removing 1999 GC Rear Axle

[brainless88888]

I have a leaky rear axle seal. Do I need to remove the rearend cover to remove the axle? Or does the axle just pull out after removing the brakes, rotor etc? Is there a clip on the end of the axle that must be removed first.

Thanks in advance

[Sport45]

Take the wheel and brake rotor off. If there's not a hole in the axle flange between two of the lug bolts then you probably have to remove clips in the differential. The hole is for access to external axle retaining bolts. My '98 grand cherokee has clips in the D35 axle. My older pickups (Ford) had the external retaining bolts. If it is external take the retaining bolts out and use a slide hammer to remove the axle shaft. You can use the wheel/tire as a slide hammer by mounting it loosly on the lugs. For externally retained axles you will have to have a new bearing and seal pressed on. For the internally retained shafts you need a slide hammer to pull the bearings and seals. You can then drive in the new replacements with the right size socket and a hammer.

[brainless88888]

Thanks...