Front Axle Seal leak

[01 Bowtie]

I have a 2001 Silverado Ex-Cab Sportside 4x4 1500 & My front drivers side axle is just starting to leak, really it's just starting to seap a little. How hard is this problem to fix? Is it just changing an axle seal? I used to do this kind of thing on my old '74 Blazer before but I've never worked on this new type truck before. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[buttnekked]

should be similiar to removing axle on front wheel drive car. To be safe just remove one axle at a time so gears don't drop down when axles are out.

[amac209]

those are a pain to change. check your balljoints for wear first. if the balljoints are worn you can replace them when you do the axle seal. the internal axle stubshaft is held in with a snapring. if the balljoints are good the easiest way to access the seal is to ubbolt the axles, driveshaft, steering linkage and all the diff mounting bolts except for the rear one. this allowes you to swing the diff down and pop out the stubshaft and replace the seal. you might want to get a shop to do this as it's a hell of a lot of work and will take a long time if your not used to this type of work. if i remember right a shop will charge about 2.0 hrs.
hope this helps

[buttnekked]

I take the knuckle loose and pull the wheel and upper control arm outward then drop exle out of hub,Still a pain in the but either way.

[01 Bowtie]

Thank you guys very much for answering both of my questions. It is apprecated very very much.
Dennis