I want to know what's involved with changing the axle seals on the nine bolt rear. I did a search but didn't find a procedure for the nine bolt just a ten bolt, maybe didn't search hard enough. Anyway I understand the most of the procedure but I wanted to know about the axles I believe they bolt in. How are they bolted in, and is this the only difference between the nine and the ten bolt. oh btw I know that there a different seals for each side. Thanks

 

You have to replace the seals and bearings both. The bearings are held in place with a press fit sleeve called a bearing retainer. To press on the new bearing and retainer you should use a press. Don't try and do it by tapping it on with a hammer you'll just screw it up. This will likely mean taking the axles to a machine shop to have them pressed in. It's easy to remove the axles though. Just remove the wheels, brake caliper and rotors. This will allow you access to the 4 bolts and nuts that hold the brake anchor plate and outer bearing retainer. You can rent a axle shaft removal tool which mounts to the lug nuts from the auto parts store. Or you can try reverse mounting the rotor on with a few nuts on loose and use the rotor to pull the axle. Unlike the 10-bolt there is no C-clip on the end of the axle to remove. So you don't have to open up the differential cover to pull off the axles. Once the axle is out the bearing retainer is removed with a chisle. The good news is that the bearings and wheel seals are available at the auto parts stores, just expect them to have to order it and wait for a day. Yes the left and right seals are different. Good luck with the job. Lon

 

Hey thanks for all the good info. I was wondering when the axle gets pulled out do the bearings come out with it. sorry, just a little confused because you said that the axles had to be taken to the machine shop. Or did you mean that just the bearings and the the retainer had to be taken to the machine shop?? Thanks again.

 

The rear end and the axles are two different things. By the "axles" I mean just that. The axles consist of a shaft with a spline (kind of like long skinny teeth) on the end that is in the rear end housing. The opposite end of the axle has the hub that the wheel bolts are pressed into. This is the end that the rotor fits over then the wheel then held on with the lug nuts. The entire axle assemble (seal, bearing and bearing retainer) will come out. You can either remove the bearing retainer yourself with a hemmer and cold chisel or take the entire assy to the machine shop. The rear end housing itself remains mounted in the car and the differntial cover can even remain on. I forgot to mention there is a backing plate to which the brake caliper is mounted. That will come off when you remove those 4 bolts & nuts. I am attaching a scan from my 1988 Camaro Service manual that should help you. You should buy one for your make, model and year of F-body from HELM inc. http://www.helminc.com Good luck, Lon.

 

Hey thanks again. That really cleared things up. I appreciate your help.

 

I removed my axle on the BW to install the new PBR brakes on my 1987 IROC. The axle assy was out for a few minutes only to change the caliper bracket per EBMILLER88 PBR brake kit instructions. Now I reassembled the axle into the housing and I need to know:

How do you seat the old seal back into the axle housing?? It seems that the seal cover (metal plate between the caliper bracket and the axle hub that does not fit over the seal and bearing like the caliper bracket will) tightens against the seal to push it into the axle housing.

I tried to use this cover to push the seal into the axle housing, but the seal cover does not seem to be seated flat between the bolt holes, so I don't think the seal is totally installed. What can I do besides hit the seal cover with hammer?

 

BFTD!
i'm having the same problem my axles don't seem to want to seat all of the way into the diff.

edit:do i have to use the axle flang nuts and bolts draw the axle into the diff?

 

Make sure your axle is in the differential "socket". You might have to lift the axle a little and try to feel your way while turning the axle to get it to fit into the differential hole. It should slip right in, no force necessary.