Front Differential Axle Seal

[mhornco]

I have a 2004 silverado that is leaking oil from the front differential. It is coming from the seal where the CV enters the passenger side of the diff. housing. Can anyone tell me how to go about replacing the seal. I had it done on another truck under warranty, but have not tried it myself.

[Starrman]

I just had this done on my Yukon at the dealership. I'm not sure what all is involved, but it was about $350 total for parts and labor. If its anything like a rear axle seal, then I think they had to remove the brake and drain the front diff. to unclip the axle and pull the axle out to replace the seal then put it all back together

[crazymjb]

I did it on my 1996, and I imagine the procedure is more or less the same, though they use better seals now (mine were rubber).

 

First, it should be in 4WD throughout the procedure, at least that is what I was told. I heard it can fall apart if you take out the shafts with out the diff locked in 4. I didn't try to find out.

 

1. Drain the oil

2. Get the front end up on jack stands

3. Remove the wheels

4. Unbolt the axle shafts from the CV shafts, there are 6 or 8 bolts if I recall correctly.

5. Disconnect the steering shaft from the idler arm, you may need a pickle fork

6. Unbolt the universal joint

7. Support the diff with a jack

8. Unbolt the front bolts of the "sub frame" type thing the differential is mounted in

9. Slowly lower the differential so it swings down under the truck.

10. Use a mallet to tap the axle shafts out

11. Pry axles seals out

12. Reverse procedure

 

Here are all the pics I took. Forgive me this was a year and a half ago:

 

 

 

 

Mike