Issue changing rear diff seals, any ideas?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Issue changing rear diff seals, any ideas?
Long story short, I had alot of work done to this car and in the process they swapped out 1 of the half shafts but reused the old seal 
So it was leaking and I took it back to them and they didn't fix it so I got frustrated and just decided to change both of them myself. I read Junkman's and Cajundude's how to's and decided to try CJ's method. I did drop the catback to make alittle more room for tapping the seals. So I got the seals in and the pass side back together without any issue. On the driver's side I can't get the CV joint to mate with the new seal. At least I think it's the CV joint/boot, the black housing around the shaft, I've got about a quarter inch gap between it and the diff seal. It won't go in any farther. Anybody got any ideas???
Tomorrow I'm thinking about pulling the shaft as per Junkman's how to and seeing if I can figure it out.
98 C5 A4 Thanks in advance!
So it was leaking and I took it back to them and they didn't fix it so I got frustrated and just decided to change both of them myself. I read Junkman's and Cajundude's how to's and decided to try CJ's method. I did drop the catback to make alittle more room for tapping the seals. So I got the seals in and the pass side back together without any issue. On the driver's side I can't get the CV joint to mate with the new seal. At least I think it's the CV joint/boot, the black housing around the shaft, I've got about a quarter inch gap between it and the diff seal. It won't go in any farther. Anybody got any ideas???
Tomorrow I'm thinking about pulling the shaft as per Junkman's how to and seeing if I can figure it out.
98 C5 A4 Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Long story short, I had alot of work done to this car and in the process they swapped out 1 of the half shafts but reused the old seal
So it was leaking and I took it back to them and they didn't fix it so I got frustrated and just decided to change both of them myself. I read Junkman's and Cajundude's how to's and decided to try CJ's method. I did drop the catback to make alittle more room for tapping the seals. So I got the seals in and the pass side back together without any issue. On the driver's side I can't get the CV joint to mate with the new seal. At least I think it's the CV joint/boot, the black housing around the shaft, I've got about a quarter inch gap between it and the diff seal. It won't go in any farther. Anybody got any ideas???
Tomorrow I'm thinking about pulling the shaft as per Junkman's how to and seeing if I can figure it out.
98 C5 A4 Thanks in advance!
So it was leaking and I took it back to them and they didn't fix it so I got frustrated and just decided to change both of them myself. I read Junkman's and Cajundude's how to's and decided to try CJ's method. I did drop the catback to make alittle more room for tapping the seals. So I got the seals in and the pass side back together without any issue. On the driver's side I can't get the CV joint to mate with the new seal. At least I think it's the CV joint/boot, the black housing around the shaft, I've got about a quarter inch gap between it and the diff seal. It won't go in any farther. Anybody got any ideas???
Tomorrow I'm thinking about pulling the shaft as per Junkman's how to and seeing if I can figure it out.
98 C5 A4 Thanks in advance!
I mean, swapping a half shaft and not replacing the seal doesn't make any sense... 
Do you remember what kind of gap was there before you took the axle out? I'm guessing that it was probably like that before and you just didn't realized it in the excitement of the moment. If that was the case, you are probably fine.
I went through a similar situation when I replaced my seals, although I followed Junkman's method. Check what I posted here and take a look at the pictures. Is that how yours looks?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
No idea on the previous gap. Your post makes me feel a lot better as I'm getting that thud sound when I ram it. I'll check the clip one more time and call it good. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, you have given me alot of piece of mind!
