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1997 Chevy Blazer 2-door 4×4 4.3L. Today I noticed that my driver side front differential axle seal is leaking. Right where the CV joint goes into the differential is a bunch of gear oil seeping and splashed around the area. I have changed the gear oil about a year ago in the front diff. but it wasn’t leaking then. I am in search of guidance or a video on how to change this seal. I checked the oil level and it is still full but, I would like to repair this before it gets worse and I run the differential dry. There is a plate that is mounted on the side of the differential where the CV joint passes through the center of it. It is leaking right where it goes into this plate. The plate appears to be held on by 5 or 6 bolts. I am thinking this plate has to come out and the axle needs to be popped out to access this seal. I am not even sure what to ask for and what part number I need. Any Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Whatch my video to help. Thanks.
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yep. axle shaft seal is leaking. 7-8 dollar part autozone , oriellys , etc. remove wheel and caliper assembly , remove axle nut ( 32 mm I think ) loosen upper ball joint , let knucle lower down turn and remove axle from knuckle , remove axle from t/case , remove the plate 5-6 bolts ( seal is behind it )install new seal and reverse proceedure . this the readers digest version of the process. highly recommend having a shop manual at hand . this is not that hard of a job though.
Thanks so much for your response! I have been researching online how to do it and was having trouble finding information. The two questions I do have is, “will I have to replace the gasket on the back of that plate with the 6 bolts and as for popping the CV Axle out of the front differential, do I just pry it out and a small clip on the end of the shaft will surpress allowing it to come out”? Oh and for the putting in the new seal can I just use a small block of wood and tap it with a hammer evenly like I did when I replaced the rear axle seals? Thanks again! I am ordering the new seal now. Here is the one I am looking at… http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_oil-seal-national_20441869-p
couple ways to remove axle. use a brass drift or long wood blong and place it against back of cv joint and knock out with bfh.( if you have room ) or use a pry bar between rear of axle and pry out. the seal should be attached to the plate. remove and install new seal
Well today I attempted to change the seal but, I had no luck. I couldn’t get the axle/CV joint to come out of the front differential. I tired prying but. no luck. I just put everything back together and gave up.
Sometimes the retaining ring on the end of the shaft can really hang on. have found that on some occasions have had to use two pry bars ( and a helper ) one bar on each side of the axle and then pry together.
I did a youtube video of this problem last week on a 2000 Suburban. It’s here
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0wSjCZMBNE[/video]
You are having the same problem that I had, and it’s detailed in a TSB described by GM. They suggest rocking the plate up and down in an effort to center that C-clip. I found the TSB silly since they seemed to be describing how to do it with the diff removed from the vehicle, not very practical advice. They also suggested a slide hammer but if you do that you need one that is exactly the right length, and not too large, since it has to be fed through the knuckle. Mine didn’t fit. In the video I show how I finally got it off. You turn the axle slowly and the C-clip forgets which way is down and all of a sudden, just before you completely give up, it slides out with a little tap. That part took me about 20 minutes, you have to hold your mouth right :S .
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