99 Silverado Axle Shaft Seal Replacement

[dhardison]

The axle shaft seal on the drivers side from diff is leaking. Does anyone have any experience in replacing this seal? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

[sg67nova]

I will assume it is a rear diff axle seal.if it has a semi-floating axles (1500 or 2500 6lug). you must pull the tire,caliper, caliper bracket, and rotor off. Then the diff cover, pull the bolt that holds the carrier pin in, push the axle in to remove the c-clip, then slide the axle out, pry the seal out, replace the seal and reverse procedure. dont forget to replace the fluid.
If it is a 8600gvw or up 2500, then it has full floating axles, remove tire, caliper and bracket and rotor. then unbolt and remove axle. you must then remove the lock nut and bearing to remove the hub, this gets tricky to reinstall with the correct preload so beware, it also requires a special inatll tool for the seal. If you have this style, write me and i can give you some ideas.

[dhardison]

No, this is a front diff axle shaft seal that is leaking. I fat-fingered the original post.

[sg67nova]

this is the way I do them, but I do have a hoist, you can do it on the grd, just get the frt end up on jackstands. unbolt the frt driveshaft from frt diff, dissconnect frt axle actuator and vent hose. take the drag link off of pitman arm (puller required). turn the key on and turn the wheel full left after removing drag link. take the 2 bolts and nut off the pass axle tube that mount it to frame, take the upper bolt out of drivers side of diff where mounts to frame. the lower drivers side mount, under yoke, just loosen the bolt. Now unbolt the six bolts on each halfshaft where they bolt to diff, the whole diff will now rotate, with some persuasion all the way down and hang from lower driverside mount. now hit the drivers side axle with a good size hammer, it should slide out. replace seal, and reassemble, fill fluid. beware that getting the nut tight where the draglink bolts to pitman arm is not easy, but very important.

[dhardison]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I'm going to give it a go this weekend.

BTW, I noticed your username as sg67nova. I have a '70 Nova running a LS-7 454. It's a full-bodied street car, but runs high 11s in the 1/4 mile.

Thanks again,
Dan

[kevtech1]

Originally Posted by sg67nova

this is the way I do them, but I do have a hoist, you can do it on the grd, just get the frt end up on jackstands. unbolt the frt driveshaft from frt diff, dissconnect frt axle actuator and vent hose. take the drag link off of pitman arm (puller required). turn the key on and turn the wheel full left after removing drag link. take the 2 bolts and nut off the pass axle tube that mount it to frame, take the upper bolt out of drivers side of diff where mounts to frame. the lower drivers side mount, under yoke, just loosen the bolt. Now unbolt the six bolts on each halfshaft where they bolt to diff, the whole diff will now rotate, with some persuasion all the way down and hang from lower driverside mount. now hit the drivers side axle with a good size hammer, it should slide out. replace seal, and reassemble, fill fluid. beware that getting the nut tight where the draglink bolts to pitman arm is not easy, but very important.

Would this be the same procedure as on a 1995 Silverado? If so, how much difficulty is involved in replacing th right side? I have heard the axle tube/shaft has to come off. Is this correct?

[dhardison]

Originally Posted by kevtech1

Would this be the same procedure as on a 1995 Silverado? If so, how much difficulty is involved in replacing th right side? I have heard the axle tube/shaft has to come off. Is this correct?

I didn't have to do anything nearly as extensive as what sg67nova mentioned. I just jacked up the front of the truck (on jack stands for safety) and removed the driver's tire. According to the Chilton's manual the axle shaft needs to be completely removed, but I was able to unbolt the axle flange from the differential and strap the axle assembly up out of the way. I then had to use a slide hammer to remove the section of the flange that is inside the differential (it's an interference fit). The seal was then replaced and everything reassembled in reverse order. It took about 2 hours total.

I'd think the passenger side would be even easier since that axle is longer (at least on the '99). This should allow you more room to strap the axle out of the way and definitely more room to work.

Good luck!
Dan