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I'm about to take on the challenge of changing my rear differential seal. I never done this before and I was wondering what kind of job I'm in for. My truck is a 1995 GMC 1500 4 wheel drive. Any tricks from the pros? Thanks any help will be appreciated.
Pinion seal or axle seals? Axles are straight forward, remove rear cover, pull the pin out of the center of the carrier(holding the spider gears), shove the axles inwards, pull the axle retainer c-clips, pull the axles out and replace the seals(add a dab of axle oil on the seal before sliding the axle in). Pinion, set the e-brake and remove the nut and remove the pinion drive yoke. Remove and replace the seal, again lube the seal before replacing the yoke. Add lock-tite to the pinion threads and torque to specs, something like 15 inch pounds of resistance before the pinion turns. Can't remember the exact number. I like to take a chisel, once I'm satisfied I have the torque correct, and knock a groove in the threads and the end of nut to keep it from backing off accidentally.
on the pinion seal.... mark the nut, mark the yoke, mark the pinion, so all the marks line up. that way you can reinstall the nut back on to the exact same preload that it cam off at.... quick and easy.(just count the threads that stick out so you arnt one full turn loose). locktight it your friend...get to know him well. used pinion nuts will come off on there own...