i have a small leak where the front cv shafts go into the housing..what all is involved in replacing these outer seals? i know i will have to drop it but other than that...

 

you don't have to drop the axle to change it, they can be kind of a pain to get out and in. If you have a socket that is the same size as the seal that will help get it back in. Be careful because the housing right there can scare easily. You don't want to put a scare in it or it will never seal

 

You can replace them on the vehicle. I just used a punch and hammer to drive on the seals. Although a large socket would work too. Like camodown said, be careful not to hit the housing.

 

is it a two peice seal? i dont see how you can get it out without either droping it or undoing the axle clips...the seal is leaking a good bit so i might as well change fluids and such too

 

It is a one piece seal. You have to pull off the CV axle to get to the seal. Which side do you need to replace?

 

the passenger side the most but the drivers side has a small leak too...

 

The easiest way to do it is to take the hub assembly off by removing the three bolts on the back of the knuckle. Then you can just pull the entire assembly out including the CV axles.

 

x2, disassemble the knuckle pop the cv out, pull the old seal, put in the new one, then put the cv back in and reassemble

 

Buy a seal puller. It makes the job a heck of a lot easier. To drive the seal into place I used a metal working hammer. Still in place, and no leak. As far as disassembly, I just cracked the axle nut and the pinch bolt for the knuckle, removed the brake caliper, rotor and pulse sensor, popped the CV out w/ a pry bar and you're good to go. I've done this one twice, once on both sides. Took me about an hour and a half each side.