Step #3 is to get my project Tracker on the road, this is going to involve getting rid of a nasty leak I have from the rear axle. The axle is leaking from the front side, creating a pretty big pool and drips up the driveway when I pulled in. My question is... Should I buy an axle seal/rebuild kit, or take to an axle driveline shop?
I want to do most of this project myself, however I only have basic mechanic tools and experience. Here are a couple of my thoughts...
* Replace axles seals, etc. myself = buy kit?
* Would like to find out if I have a locker, or how much it would cost to add a locker, OR... if I bought a locker, would the shop already install new seals/etc in the axle? Locker budget would be around $300US
Second issue to this post is the front half shafts... I am missing the front driver side axle shaft. I can buy one for $60, but how simple is it to install? Anything I should look for? OR, again should I just have an axle/driveline company/mechanic check it out?
Assuming you can locate the missing parts, replacing the left side front axle is not a difficult task - basically turn the steering hard left, slide the shaft in, bolt it up to the stub on the differential and then add the circlip, hub, etc., on the outside.
The rear axle is another matter - degrease & hose it down is step #1 - where is it leaking from? The pinion seal or the mounting flange? The pinion seal might best by handled by a drive line shop - the correct way to do it will involve replacing the seal & the crush collar, and it might be an idea to do the bearings whilst you're in there.
There are some people who will mark the nut before disassembly, remove the flange, slip the seal out, and a new one in, replace the flange and tighten to the mark - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - you could be left with the preload set incorrectly.
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93 - 1.3 Suzuki Swift GLX
98 - 1.8 Mitsubishi Pajero iO
98 - 2.0 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Assuming you can locate the missing parts, replacing the left side front axle is not a difficult task - basically turn the steering hard left, slide the shaft in, bolt it up to the stub on the differential and then add the circlip, hub, etc., on the outside.
The rear axle is another matter - degrease & hose it down is step #1 - where is it leaking from? The pinion seal or the mounting flange? The pinion seal might best by handled by a drive line shop - the correct way to do it will involve replacing the seal & the crush collar, and it might be an idea to do the bearings whilst you're in there.
There are some people who will mark the nut before disassembly, remove the flange, slip the seal out, and a new one in, replace the flange and tighten to the mark - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - you could be left with the preload set incorrectly.
Fordem - Thank you. I do want to do as much of this on my own (due to budget), but I think I am going to take the truck into a drive line/axle shop to have the rear axle repaired. The vehicle has 199K, although I am sure much of it has been rebuilt or replaced already. I have another post about emissions and an idle problem. I think I am going to get those issues resolved first, install the front axle shaft myself (if I can) and then get this in the shop to repair the rear axle. Anyone have any clue what a shop would charge for something like this? Thanks!
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Phoenix, Arizona USA
1993 Geo Tracker, 2dr convertible, 1.6L, 8v, 5 spd manual, 4wd
Honestly replacing the axle seals in the rear isn't any more difficult than replacing the front half shaft... I know because I have done both.
Well... maybe I should give it a go then and see what happens!! Worse case, I throw it back together and take it to the shop. So success without trying! When you replaced your seals, did you buy a kit? Thanks!
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Phoenix, Arizona USA
1993 Geo Tracker, 2dr convertible, 1.6L, 8v, 5 spd manual, 4wd
Honestly replacing the axle seals in the rear isn't any more difficult than replacing the front half shaft... I know because I have done both.
I am searching for DIY information on replacing the half shafts. Are there any additional components that I should buy, other than the half shaft itself? Thanks!
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Phoenix, Arizona USA
1993 Geo Tracker, 2dr convertible, 1.6L, 8v, 5 spd manual, 4wd
Well... maybe I should give it a go then and see what happens!! Worse case, I throw it back together and take it to the shop. So success without trying! When you replaced your seals, did you buy a kit? Thanks!
No I just bought the rear axle seals. Most kits are for if you are replacing shims, bearings and seals in the axle... commonly referred to as an "overhaul" kit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by csmith1976
I am searching for DIY information on replacing the half shafts. Are there any additional components that I should buy, other than the half shaft itself? Thanks!
If you have no hardware you will need the 3 bolts and nuts that attach the half shaft to the axle side as well as the snap ring and washer that are used on the hub side. The bolts, nuts and snap ring should be found at a hardware store but the washer is kind of specialized... Is there a junk yard around where you live? You might get lucky and find all of the parts including the half shaft.
You can see 2 of the 3 bolts I'm talking about in this picture...
Hold on a second - let's understand exactly which seal in the rear axle is leaking - axle seals & pinion seals are two different things.
You said the rear axle was leaking from the front side - that suggests the pinion seal - if the axle seals are leaking the oil comes out into the brake drum and runs down the tires.
This is why step one is degrease & hose down - so that you can find out WHERE the leak is - a leak down the front could be the pinion seal or a leak where the third member meets the axle housing.
Replacing the axle seals is relatively easy - replacing the pinion seal is a different story - get the preload wrong and you can end up destroying the gears.
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93 - 1.3 Suzuki Swift GLX
98 - 1.8 Mitsubishi Pajero iO
98 - 2.0 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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SNOWFLAKE
Rear axle leaking + Missing front half shaft
Don D
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