Front Left Axle Seals

[Chris Pruett]

I’ve got a 2001 4x4 3500 with over 520,000 miles. As the original owner, I’ve never replaced the front axle seals. Looks like it’s time. I’ve heard horror stories about the level of difficulty so I’ve researched it to no avail. Videos mostly show replacing the right side. I need the left in the immediate but will do both. To do the drivers side, I’m understanding I must remove the differential. This scares me to death as I’ve never done it. What are the steps and most important, what are the hazards in the removal/installation process?

 

[Fast69Mopar]

I’ve got a 2001 4x4 3500 with over 520,000 miles. As the original owner, I’ve never replaced the front axle seals. Looks like it’s time. I’ve heard horror stories about the level of difficulty so I’ve researched it to no avail. Videos mostly show replacing the right side. I need the left in the immediate but will do both. To do the drivers side, I’m understanding I must remove the differential. This scares me to death as I’ve never done it. What are the steps and most important, what are the hazards in the removal/installation process?

This is actually a pretty simple task with the proper tools and some patience. There is a special tool required for the Dana axles called a "spreader". If you look on the left and right side of the diff. cover you will see a hole on each side. These holes are used by the dowel pins in the "spreader" to spread the housing apart so that you can remove the differential case after you remove the axle shafts from each side.

 

[bm02tj]

I do not have a spreader so I put the diff in the freezer over night and run a heater on housing
and it slides right in
Try a speedy sleeve first it may stop the leak