2500 Front Axle Seals

[ssapach]

Perhaps someone can help refresh my memory. To replace a front axle seal on my 2006 Sierra 2500, I need to remove the axle shaft first.

I know the short side axle shaft has a spring clip on the inside that holds it in place, and breaks half the time when you take it apart. Usually results in the diff needing to come out of the truck. I've done that on 2 different trucks already.

I can't for the life of me remember if the long side (passenger side) shaft has the same sort of clip or not. For some reason I think that if I unbolt the piece of the diff housing that holds the long side shaft, the shaft comes out with it.

Does anyone know for sure? I hate to start working on it and wreck something and not be able to fix it in time to go back to work.

[lowridergmc]

yes the right axle and tube come off the diff.slide the engaugement sleeve off the axle shaft and you will see the snap ring.remove the ring and tap the axle out of housing.