Rear Differential Leak

[Altoids94]

My diff is currently a mess right now. I have a small leak on the passenger side rear axel which I have been putting off for awhile. Now the pinion seal is leaking (where the drive shaft goes in). From what I understand I just un bolt the driveshaft, remove the flange nut and change the seal. Then after re torque the nut to 150 ft/lbs. Is that correct? I do not want to screw the preload up. For the driver side axle I know its going to be a PITA to get the axle out of the hub as it is rusted to hell. Is there an easier way to remove the axel?

 

[bryanwheat]

My diff is currently a mess right now. I have a small leak on the passenger side rear axel which I have been putting off for awhile. Now the pinion seal is leaking (where the drive shaft goes in). From what I understand I just un bolt the driveshaft, remove the flange nut and change the seal. Then after re torque the nut to 150 ft/lbs. Is that correct? I do not want to screw the preload up. For the driver side axle I know its going to be a PITA to get the axle out of the hub as it is rusted to hell. Is there an easier way to remove the axel?

You don't have to remove the axle from the spindle to change the seal. Just unbolt the spindle loose from the control arms and strut, pop the axle out of the differential and the spindle will swing out with the axle in it. From there change the new seal, push the axle back in and bolt the control arms and strut back up.

 

[Altoids94]

Does that involve seperating the ball joints or just the bolts on the control arms? Any input on the pinion seal?