Axle Seal Hard To Replace?

[a_alyte]

I noticed drips coming off the bottom of my drivers side steering knuckle. I figured it was the cv boot which I had installed 5 months ago, so I got another one from Autozone since it has a lifetime warranty. My mechanic took the old axle off & showed me a fluid trail coming from the front differential. He thinks the leak was coming from a bad seal which can be seen when looking in the axle housing. The seal was only $10 from the dealer.

Can this seal be installed by working through the axle housing, or would the differential have to be manipulated in order to install it?

[btilley2006]

Depending on the year? but most have to be done by removing the carrier assembly (i.e. straight axle front diff.)