Do you change the seal when you change the axle?

[Tony Cottrell]

I need to change the driver side axle on my '90MTX. I found the posts on the part where you don't have problem taking it out without screwing up the trans. The posts on trans fluid (many opinions there!) and reusing the circlip and nut (bolt?). HOWEVER, should you replace the axle seal when you change the halfshaft? BTW, do you just pull the damn thing out?. My factory manual is missing some key parts of the page.

Thanks for the help

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Yes pull/pry, if you're reusing the axle I would go easy on it and just try to pry it out as to not screw up the boot or cv. Also I reuse the clips all the time and haven't had a problem. As far as the seal, I never had one fail on me but I have replaced all of them in both my current sho's as preventative maintenance. But then again I have replaced seals and had the new ones leak when the old one was fine.

So really it's up to you, do you replace as preventative maintenance, or go by the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

 

[jthod]

You might as well, they're cheap. It's not easy though.

I had the axle's replace when I had the clutch done, and 300 miles later, the driver's side was leaking.

 

[rubydist]

I strongly recommend changing the seal. Its a pita to do, but the seal is only like $10, so its cheap insurance against it leaking next month.

 

[TYSHO]

If you don't install the seal correctly, you will have a leak.

Axle Remove/Replacement:

1. Remove the axle nut.
2. Take the wheel off.
3. Unbolt the tie rod end.
4. Unbolt the sway bar link from the strut.
5. Unbolt the lower control arm from the knuckle.
6. Use a pry bar to pop the control arm out the knuckle, and move the knuckle to the side. (place bar under subframe and on top of the control arm)
7. Use a pry bar or large flat head to initially pop the axle out the transmission (wont pop if you have an old, useless circlip. and if it pops, it wont move out much just to note).
8. Pull the knuckle assembly with axle away and out from the transmission.
9. Place the end of the axle where it has room to move a good 8-12 inches back.
10. Place a small piece of wood on top of the axle stud, or use a mallet, and tap out the axle from the knuckle.

I usually use a hammer and pull the knuckle back as I hit the stud, and never damaged the threads in cases where I use the same axle again. You must hit it dead center though, and not give it a beating unless you want it to mushroom the head.

Install Reverse.

 

[Tony Cottrell]

If you don't install the seal correctly, you will have a leak.

Axle Remove/Replacement:

1. Remove the axle nut.
2. Take the wheel off.
3. Unbolt the tie rod end.
4. Unbolt the sway bar link from the strut.
5. Unbolt the lower control arm from the knuckle.
6. Use a pry bar to pop the control arm out the knuckle, and move the knuckle to the side. (place bar under subframe and on top of the control arm)
7. Use a pry bar or large flat head to initially pop the axle out the transmission (wont pop if you have an old, useless circlip. and if it pops, it wont move out much just to note).
8. Pull the knuckle assembly with axle away and out from the transmission.
9. Place the end of the axle where it has room to move a good 8-12 inches back.
10. Place a small piece of wood on top of the axle stud, or use a mallet, and tap out the axle from the knuckle.

I usually use a hammer and pull the knuckle back as I hit the stud, and never damaged the threads in cases where I use the same axle again. You must hit it dead center though, and not give it a beating unless you want it to mushroom the head.

Install Reverse.

Thanks a bunch! Where else can you get a blow by blow procedure from someone who has done it and can write well. I thank all of you for your help!!

TC