88 Chevy c 1500 truck. What's involved in replacing the axle seal. I haven't done this, saw it done years ago on mid 80's chevy, is this the same? Remove the rear cover, pull the retaining bolt, slide down the pin, push in the axle, remove the c-clip, pull out the axle. I remember the trick was to not let the pinin gears fall out, RIGHT? Any other tips? What type grease, normal 90 wt?

dan

88 Chevy c 1500 truck. What's involved in replacing the axle seal. I haven't done this, saw it done years ago on mid 80's chevy, is this the same? Remove the rear cover, pull the retaining bolt, slide down the pin, push in the axle, remove the c-clip, pull out the axle. Yes


I remember the trick was to not let the pinin gears fall out, RIGHT? If you are afraid of the gears falling out, put the pin and bolt back in after the C-clip is out and the axle is pulled. That way you won’t have gears falling out when you put the axle back in and turn it trying the get it in the splines.


Any other tips? If the retaining bolt is broken off in the pin, it would probably be best to put it back together and bring it to someone that has experience getting broken retaining bolts out. The bolts do break and sometimes can be removed with a sharp pick used to unscrew them. But occasionally it can be very hard to get a broken retaining bolt out.

Don’t drag the axle across the bearing or the new seal.

Lube the new seal if it come without grease in it.

Get the seal in straight. If you have access to the correct seal driver it makes this easy.

Make sure the axle/bearing does not have excessive “play” (movement up and down / forward and backward).

What type grease, normal 90 wt? unless you get in there and see it has posi.

OK so I got it apart, the bolt came out nicely. HOW MUCH PLAY IN THE AXLE IS TOO MUCH? This truck has 140,000 miles, the rear right side brake was SOAKED in grease, so it had been leaking for some time. There is a little up and down and front to back play, I'd guess 1/32 inch???? How does the bearing come out- 3 jaw puller? The bearing surface on the axle looks nice and smooth.

thanks

dan

I don’t have a spec for you, but 1/32” would not worry me being the bearing surface on the axle looks nice and smooth.

How does the bearing come out- 3 jaw puller? With an axle bearing puller attachment (J 22813-01) and a slide hammer.