So I took my truck to a mechanic that my Aunt knows for a really bad drum brake squeak. It's a 97 2.3l 2wd. Found out that a spring came off the brake and was scratching metal on metal. He replaced the tensioner cable for $35. Loan behold when we checked the other side, passenger side, it was covered in axle grease. He then proceeded to show me what could be the problem. He took me over to an old axle shaft that he had and showed me the groove that a wheel bearing can make on the axle shaft.

Now I have little to no knowledge of how to inspect the axle shaft to see if the shaft needs replacing or if it's just a wheel bearing or the oil seal that needs replacing. How can I check to see if I need to get a new axle or if it's just a bad wheel bearing or oil seal? I really want to do this myself if that's possible for an absolute beginner. I have done minor jobs with my truck like tune-ups, pinion seal replacement, almost did the ball joints. Would I be able to do this myself and would I need special tools?

 

If you've done a pinion seal, the axle seal would be a similar project/concept.

 

I just don't know how to check to see what the issue is with it. The axle itself sticks out farther on the right side then on the left as my tires are not even. He made it a big deal that the axle could walk out and completely fall out of my truck while driving. I don't think the oil seals holds the axle in place. Does the wheel bearing hold the axle in place? What holds the axle in place? There's a big difference in cost for wheels bearings and an oil seal vs a whole axle shaft kit.

 

C-Clip holds the axle in place. Unless the shaft or the clip is broken it is staying in there.

 

Ok so this sort of relates to my question, How do you take an axle shaft out of a 8.8 3.73 open Diff? It looks like C-Clips are holding them in but how do I take them out?

 

When you pull the cover off the diff if you spin the carrier around you will see an 8mm bolt. Remove that bolt and slide the cross pin out. Then you can shove the axles in a little and the clips will fall right out. Then just simply slide the axles out of the housing.

 

Sweet, thanks Chris! I got them out. Not sure what to do with the axle now I just threw it in Storage(It's pretty well stripped). All its good for is its gears which aren't in great demand.

 

Get creative .....

 

No problem! Sweet mailbox. haha

 

hahah i forgot to compliment you on the mailbox when i went up there

 

Thats def. am idea to keep in mind. Pretty cool!