d44 axle seals...

[Mrburns]

so what i learned from my recent trip to DV is that my axle seals leak...no biggie, i was just going to toss in my spares and replace them...but the spares seals look worse....apperantly i am not taking good care of them. So i've been web-searching for replacement kits, under the impression i should cut off the baring and such. Is this the truth? or should I/ Could I reuse them? they all seem to be in good shape. i ask because the "kits" i've found are running $40 ea....times 4...and BAMM....i'd rather just buy a case of gear oil i drip a little....

so does anyone know where to get a "good" deal on axle barings and seals or can i get away with just changing the seals?

 

[Bryan C.]

From what I remember, Autozone sells Timken set 10 bearings for around $25, and the seals should run less than $10. So $40 doesn't sound too far off. I have been able to in the past use a bearing splitter to remove a recently installed set of bearings no problem. the Only problem I have now is that the press I use at work isn't big enough to get the axle flange through. So to answer your question, yes it can be done, but you will need a big press to do it with. Might be worth it to just cut the old ones off and start over with all new stuff.

 

[Mrburns]

sweet....its kind of what i thought, but wanted someone who had been there to confirm... and these barings are pretty old, i'd bet originals.

Thanks for the info

 

[Lincoln]

Bryan,

Have you tried using some plates and putting the flange below the bed? I put the splitter on then use the tapped holes in the splitter to run all thread up through the press bed to a couple of plates.

 

[Mrburns]

not sure i 100% follow what your saying.....any pics?

 

[Lincoln]

I don't take pics of my hodge podge ways.

Put the bearing splitter on.
Push the axle shaft up through the bed from the bottom.
Two pieces of all thread screwed into the holes in the splitter that are long enough to go from the splitter below the bed to above the bed.
Lay a couple of pieces of metal (or press blocks with holes drilled in them) with the allthread running through it.

That will hold the shaft up by the splitter while you press against the end of the axle shaft.

Kind of like this but this guy cut a housing apart and welded stuff to it to work. Toyota's are a little different but it's the same concept. Get the flang hanging below the press bed.

 

[Mrburns]

Thanks.... that clears it up a lot...that doesn't seem to be too hard...hopefully they come off in a condition worth all this work...

 

[Bryan C.]

Bryan,

Have you tried using some plates and putting the flange below the bed? I put the splitter on then use the tapped holes in the splitter to run all thread up through the press bed to a couple of plates.

Seems like that should work pretty well. Thanks for the idea.