Replacing front wheel bearings. What seals to buy?

Once the bearing assembly is out. There isn’t much holding the axle in the knuckle. It’s just resting on the seal.

From there it’s just 2 more bolts. The lower ball joint mount bolts.

I opted to remove the tie rod bolt just to give me a bit more room. But I was also doing the differential bush at the same time too.

 

I guess I'll decide once it's all opened up. The things I hate are separating TREs, or wrecking the alignment so I need to take it in. If I can avoid those, I'll probably go for it. Thanks.

 

All you need to do is separate the TRE from the spindle with a pitman arm puller or similar. Dont actually take the TRE end apart, then you'll need a new alignment

 

To get taper-fit parts separated, loosen the nut most of the way, and give the mounting area (i.e. the knuckle) a good, solid smack or three with a hammer. 99% of the time works every time. No pullers, forks, or any special tools needed, just some good shock.

 

That’s exactly how I do it too.
And it is the same thing I did to my Tacoma.
5lb mini sledge and SHHHAAAMMMKKKK…. Off it comes.

 

@Mastiff37
If you look close, you can see the outer seal still in the knuckle
This is from when I did my bushing.

 

I wish there was a really good video of removing the old and installing the new seals and disconnecting the different bolts for better access to the knuckle while installing the new bearing. I'm waiting on a set of front bearing assemblies and it's recommend to replace these two seals (while you're there) ...yet appears to more labor intensive, well...for someone like myself who's not an auto mechanically gifted kind of person. It's gonna happen, just, still researching how to do this.

 

The outter seal is not really more labor intensive.
2 more bolts and a nut.

The dust shield in FORNT of the big axle nut can be a pain.
I uses a wood chisel to get it started off. Do NOT use a screw driver.
I did that the first time and messed up the dust shield. I spent 30 mins getting it back “round” in order to make it fit.

 

I cringe every time I see someone use a big screwdriver on the bearing dust cap haha

 

Good afternoon, @ TnShooter, from your photo...that 'outer seal' still in the knuckle. Do you use the tool on the ground to pry (?) that seal out? Now, there's another seal which has been mentioned to replace, is it in that photo as well? Did you replace both/one/none of those seals when you did yours? Thanks in advance for your (and others) taking the time to share information. I'm hopeful to have my new bearing assemblies within a couple of weeks and I bet that when my tire comes off and I'm able to actually see how everything is connected, things will come together and I won't have to ask too many more questions. Oh, and 10 4 on the screwdriver not being used on the dust cover.

 

The tool on the ground was used to pull the seal out of the front differential.
You won’t need to do that, so ignore the tool.
To get the old seal out, use a screw driver from the back side of the knuckle and pry it out.
(I used a wood chisel, because I already had it laying there) But a screw driver will work fine for that seal.

The other seal is ON the CV axle.
I know better than to say this, but if that seal looks good.
Leave it alone. It can be a pain to get off and on.

 

https://youtu.be/2grlXzbBXu0?si=r5_8TR-2QGPjYo8M

Great video for bearing/cv replacement