7.5" axle seal question

[dmicucci]

I need to know whether or not the bearings need to be removed from the axle shafts on the ford 7.5 to replace the axle seals, or are they not in the way. I don't have the tools at home to remove the bearings so it would be quite handy to know whether or not i can do this without first taking the rearend apart.

Thanks to all.
Denis

 

[martin]

the seals ore outboard of the bearings so no you do not have to remove them to change the seals. You do however have to remove the diff cover so you can remove the cross shaft to enable you to remove the c-clips that hold the axle shafts in.

 

[2manyfords]

I just did this today on my '88 Ranger 2wd and as long as the pin that holds the cross shaft in place isn't broke it's not hard to do.

 

[Mutant Pony]

usually when a seal is bad it is because a bearings is bad. Replacing the seal may not solve the problem.
I have found 7.5 axle seals rusted in two. The seal may be the only thing wrong but, unfortunalty, you have to disassemble the rear and inspect the parts to know for sure.

 

[dmicucci]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am very well aquainted with working on axles after installing gears and lockers in more than a half dozen trucks, i just wasn't sure if i needed to pull the bearing seeing as i'm doing this in my driveway tomorrow afternoon. Stupid me should have changed them while the axle was apart a couple months ago but anything to save time...yea right.

 

[AllanD]

Once you get the C-clip off the axle shaft nearly falls out.

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