I have the trans out on my 2005 coupe to install new clutch. I Noticed the right rear dif seal is leaking. Is this a big job now that I have everything on the floor? I think the hard part was pulling everything in my garage... Just not so confident opening the rear deferential. Any advise?

 

If you can do a clutch, this will be simple job. Need to pull the shaft out and the pull the seal.

 

Thanks, I am just nervous about openning up the dif and afraid what I will find. 94k miles on her.

 

I agree 100%...if you can do a clutch (and I have great respect for you tackling that), the shaft seal is no big deal. I haven't done it but I believe that it has nothing to do with removing the trans. I don't think that the diff needs to be opened as you are implying. Slide the shaft out and then replace the seal from the outside....others will let us know if this is correct.

 

Thanks again, but, I have it out ..not put back in and working yet. lol!

 

Does the seal have to be pressed in?

 

If you mean with a press, I don't believe so. I have not done it myself but from talking to others, it is a simple pry-out and tap-in seal ( like an old fashioned front wheel bearing seal). The biggest part of the job is separating the hub and dropping suspension away so that the axle shaft can be slid out of the diff case. I do not believe that the diff needs to be opened up, except the drain plug to top off the oil.

 

Differential Carrier Cover and Seal Replacement - Right Side

Tools Required

DT-47596 Bearing Cup Remover
J 42170 Bearing and Race Installer
J 45124 Removal Bridge
J 46405 Output Shaft Seal Installer

Removal Procedure



Remove the right rear wheel drive shaft.
Remove the right rear muffler assembly.
Drain the differential fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change.
Support the differential assembly.
Remove the right differential mount.
Remove the retaining bolts.
Remove the differential cover.
Remove and discard the axle seal (1, 4).




Install the DT-47596 (2) into the right cover. Tighten securely into the bearing cup.
Place the J 45124 (1) over the DT-47596 (2). Adjust the legs for the best fit. Install the supplied bolt, nut thrust and washer. Hold the bolt and tighten the nut to remove the bearing cup and shim.



Mark or tag the shim for assembly



Important: Whenever service requires the replacement of the right side differential cover, the covers MUST be measured and the right shim pack adjusted to compensate for machining tolerances between the two components. Failure to perform this measurement procedure may result in improper differential bearing preload.

Use a vernier caliper (2) and a straight edge (1), in order to measure the NEW differential cover bore dimension. Record the measurement as value A.
Use a vernier caliper (2) and a straight edge (1), in order to measure the old differential cover bore dimension. Record the measurement as value B.
Subtract value B from value A. If the computation is a positive value, add shims equal to the value, to the existing shim pack. If the computations a negative value, subtract shims equal to the value, from the existing shim pack.

Installation Procedure



Install the selected shims (2) and the bearing race (1) to the new cover.



Press the shims and bearing race into the new cover using the J 42170 and a hydraulic press.




Clean the O-ring sealing surface on the differential cover and the differential housing.
Install a NEW O-ring (4) to the differential cover (3).
Install the differential cover.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Install the differential cover retaining bolts.

Tighten the retaining bolts to 28 N.m (20 lb ft).



Install the axle seal into the differential cover using J 46405.
Fill the rear axle differential with the proper fluid and level. Refer to Lubricant Change.
Install the right rear muffler.
Install the right rear wheel drive shaft.

 

Great detailed post! Thanks, this will really help. Looks more complicated than I had hoped for though...

 

I just love people like this $50,000 car, taking it apart in pieces, doesn't have a $125 set of shop manuals, priceless!

 

Ok, well, thanks for that positive input. It was really helpful...

 

I'm not sure what the thermostat has to do with a rear axle seal, but I would like to hear from someone who has replaced just the seal...it appears to me that this procedure is for bearings etc. I may be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time, but I think that I have heard of the seal alone being replaced without disassembly of the differential.

 

Looks like someone may be changing the pictures on the post (hacked). I've seen three versions now. I'll try and report it.

 

That's interesting...he should change his password right away...

 

Seal replacement looks pretty easy now that I have time to really look at it. Thanks everyone for the advise.

 

Are you talking about the diff cover seal of the axle seal? The axle seal can be done in about 10 minutes, diff will take a bit longer, but both are not difficult.

 

fixed it!