Guys,
Crawling around under the truck today I found the passenger side front axle seal apparently leaking. Anybody ever replaced one? Wondering how the heck you pull the axle.

 

I am assuming you are talking about the seal in the diff. When I did mine, I removed the diff from the vehicle.

DO NOT USE A HAMMER OR SLIDE HAMMER TO REMOVE THE AXLE
I took someone word on this and broke the axle flange, I had to get a new one, cost about $300 for the axle.

There are 6-8 bolts that hold the axle tube on, remove them and watch out for any parts that will fall out (engage fork and shaft, and spring). After you get the axle tube seperated there will be a C-clip holding the axle in, remove it and the axle will slide out, now you can replace the seal and bearing (better do it know then doing it all again).

 

Yes the seal in the diff. Thanks for the info. Just what I was looking for. I spoke with a GM tech and he told me it can be done without pulling the unit. Unbolt the half shaft at the axle and swing it forward. Undo the 2 bolts holding the axle and tube up. Unbolt the alxe tube at the diff end, put a jack under the other axle and raise it. This allows the shaft to clear the 2 upper studs. He also told me it "would go to hell" at this point, with the fork shaft and spring coming out. Didn't think about the bearing. Dunno with only 45K on the truck?

 

Just had the same thing done when I got mine inspected. Took the tech about an hour. Total cost was $170. They also replaced my intermediate sreering shaft under their "Goodwill" warranty policy as I have 50,000 on my 04 GMC.

 

Yeah the GM tech (my son'n'law) also said the trucks are notorious for this leak. That made me feel better in that at least it's probably not the power adders that are stressing it. Then second thought was thats crap quality on Chevy's part.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I was searching for how to do this and want to make sure I've got it right. I just bought an 05 Silverado with 48k on it. Both of the front axle output seals are leaking. It sounds like I can do this in the truck. I understand unbolting the axle shaft and moving it out of the way. After that, the two suggestions above seem to conflict. What holds the stub axle into the diff? Is is a C-clip? After that, do I have to worry about a shift fork, spring, etc. flying out? I don't see why there'd be one right behind the stub axle, but I'm not that familiar with these trucks.

Thanks in advance!

 

I had the same problem! i put in lucas oil stabilizer and 80/90 and problem solve,
Good luck

 

before i get bashed on here i know its not a fix but its a temp fix for right now and its bein 3 months and no leaks