Rear Axel Seal Replacement?! Should I??

I have searched the forum. Found a few items but no actual manual.
Has anyone replaced a new axle seal?
Is there anything that could become a hurdle? (rusty bolts, worn parts, ect)
I have a seal that is worn out and have all the necessary parts. Seals, new fluid (may as well do a fluid change while im here).
If there is any information I can acquire before beginning this task it would be greatly appreciated.
I will attempt to turn this into a how to thread if it goes smoothly.
Thanks for any info that comes my way.
Just a pic of some axle for some unknown reason.

 

Also yes I know I spelt AXLE wrong in the title.

 

Simple in theory, but time consuming and labor intensive in reality.

I know how to do it on a Dana 30, 44, and 60 but never done it on a Toyota rear. Done my fronts a few times.

 

Ive heard you don't have to access the diff to do it....

 

Where is yours leaking from?

 

Easy.

Pull wheel.

Pull drum.

Undo shoes and ebrake cable.

Remove nuts from rear of axle flange.

Remove brake line frome wheel cylinder.

Pull axle shaft, expect a little fluid loss.

Inspect seal surface on bearing retaining collar on shaft.

Pull seal.

Drive in new seal.

 

Seal puller. Drum brake tools. Seal driver.

Look up my rear wheel bearing write up, it may help you.

 

From my experience because of the castings in the tube you can't set the shaft on the seal. On these particular axles at least.

 

Depending on the mileage I would suggest replacing wheel bearing too. If seal is done that bearing may be loose as well.

 

Excellent info.

I am finding fluid up at the abs sensor.

 

Goddamn it. Searched for your thread on the bearing write up and can't find anything.
Can you throw up a link? Also do you happen to have a pic of this seal puller? Is the seal driver like a bearing racer?
Just wanna make sure I'm collecting the right tools before I jump into this one.
Had to modify a slide hammer to pull my CVs which made it a fairly timely task.

 

You said rear axle? Why you pulling CVs? You can probably make a slide hammer work too.

Just look at my threads.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/246760-2nd-gen-rear-axle-bearing-diy.html

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/

 

Haha. No I'm just sayin when I did my CVs I wasn't prepared and it took twice as long.
Thanks for the links.

 

Sub, my seal seems to be doing similars

 

Once I pick up the tools I will be getting started. Not gonna do the bearing unless it's hooped when I pull the axle out. Looks like a shit ton more work than I wanna do for one job.

Hey Max, more ?s
Also what's the drum brake tool?? Is it the spring tool or is there something I can't find? Did you need to replace any brake fluid or bleed them at all?

 

Just brake spring pliers and and a brake spring tool for the retaining springs. Yes you'll need to bleed brakes and you'll need fluid. You'll be disconnecting the line at the wheel cylinders so be prepared for it to leak. I always clamp mine gently at the line but you'll hear not to so I won't advise it. Instead you'll just have to bleed your brakes really well.

 

Don't bother touching the park brake cable or drum brakes. You don't need to take those off. Mine even with 3" lift and fully drooped, I can pull the axle shaft out with the cable attached.

This takes about 30 minutes off a 1 hour job.

Then use your rear axle shaft to pull the seal out. No fancy tool needed



C'mon max get with the program

 

Not me... I tried, even loosening up at the leaf, it came close but not close enough.

 

I removed the 12mm bolt off the leaf pack and mine slid out. It was tight at the end, but worked. Sure saves a lot of time. Drums suuuuuck