Axle seal replacement

[1tonford4me]

I was under the truck the other day putting on the new 4X4 front air dam & noticed the driver side axel seal is hosed (see it in the pic) do I have to pull the axel to get it back in or should I just go ahead & replace them on both sides to be safe?

[wired1]

I think so, I know that the new seals are metal now as I just had mine done and they put the updated seals in.

[04blackcrewcab]

Thats more of just a dust seal. The actual seal that keeps the fluid inside the diff is located inside the diff.

[1tonford4me]

Originally Posted by 04blackcrewcab

Thats more of just a dust seal. The actual seal that keeps the fluid inside the diff is located inside the diff.

That's what I was thinking since it was all dry inside. I still need to
get-r-done though. How much does it cost to have the dust seals replaced?

Thanks, Jim Sr.

[JSchuricht]

Can't see the pics here but assuming the front axle, yes you do have to pull the carrier out. You will need to put it on jack stands, pull the tire, hub, spindle off. Pull the shafts out, open the diff, remove and mark the cups, stuff a sacrificial rag between the ring and pinion and turn the driveshaft till the carrier comes loose. Then you can pry out the seal and beat a new one in. The seals are cheep, it's the labor that will kill you if you have someone else do it.

[1tonford4me]

That's sounds like too much work for this old fart!!! Might be a good project to use my extended warranty!!!!

[sjl2725]

Hey, I have the same problem as in this picture. Is it actually broken, or has it just come out? I was thinking of just taking a long drift punch and just working it back in there. It only turns with 4WD anyhow... Right?

Thoughts?

[Refugio]

That dust seal has come out on every Superduty I have owned.
I have never bothered trying to replace them....never has hurt anything as far as I know but then I don't hardly ever go romping in the mud.

[2000-7.3L]

If it was an axle seal the axle and yoke would be soaked with diff greace from driving it! Dust seal

[ZMANN]

Originally Posted by 04blackcrewcab

Thats more of just a dust seal. The actual seal that keeps the fluid inside the diff is located inside the diff.

agreed ,, that oil seal is way up inside the axle tube

this is a dust seal the old version rides on the axle the new one locates in the axle tube