After extensive work to my jeep, the front driver side tube is leaking like a siv. How hard is it to replace the seals and what special tools are needed?

 

Pull the axles, pull the Ring gear/carrier....take out old seal, pull new one in using long threaded rod and big washers, put carrier back in using same shims, put axles back in....etc.


No special tools are needed.

Check out Youtube...Im sure there are some decent videos.

 

How long do you estimate this to take ?

 

Took me about 2 hours when I did mine. I also pressed in new u-joints and replaced the unit-bearings.

 

So a shop should only charge an hour or so to do it

 

Local shop said 3.7 hrs of labor, looking at $ 400 !! Kinda want to pull the shaft and look to make sure that it isn't just excess fluid from removing the shaft, but don't want to pull the hub again!!!

 

I'm surprised they quoted ONLY 3.7 hours. I would have guessed 4-6 hours. It did only take me 2 hours last time, but I did it at work, air tools, lift and press.. Probably would take 4-6 at home, no power tools and only C-clamps for press work. Cost alone says DIY. If I recall parts from Rockauto, seals, joints and hubs, totaled $150.

 

I only need seals. There's no way it takes 3.7 hours for just seals.

 

May want to get a torque wrench though

 

I mean you gotta tear down the whole axle and remove the ring and pinion.. It's not as easy as take out old, put in new. I think 4 hours is on the generous side for a shop, but they may be factoring in some unforeseen problems. If you're going to do it yourself pay close attention to the shims used for the carrier bearings, because if you screw those up you'll be buying a new ring and pinion and be paying a shop to set up the gears. By the way I've never done the job, just speaking from what I've read.