Right Side Axle Output Bearing and Seal

[roadrunner]

Anybody out there had to replace the needle bearing and seal on either side of the front differential where the axle (cv-shaft) fits? My right side needle bearing appears to be gone. Axle has too much play and seals won't hold so I think I need to replace the needle bearing there (ugh). Just wondering if it can be done without dis-assembly of the front differential namely removal of the axle tube (extension) from the assembly. I shudder to think perhaps the wandering needles are in the differential.

[HenryJ]

Pulling the front axle assembly is actually pretty easy. I would not struggle to do the job with it in there.

[roadrunner]

Pulling the front axle assembly is actually pretty easy. I would not struggle to do the job with it in there.

I only asked to see if there was perhaps a puller such as I used to use on rear trans bushings that could be used in this case as well. I can pull that axle without pulling the spindle so was thinking if such a puller existed for that purpose it would be much simpler than pulling the front differential assy.

[blaz]

Please take pics when you do this job. It is on my "short" to do list also. The seal was replaced 4 times under warranty. I suspect something is causing the seal to fail repeatedly.

[roadrunner]

Please take pics when you do this job. It is on my "short" to do list also. The seal was replaced 4 times under warranty. I suspect something is causing the seal to fail repeatedly.

That's what I first noticed on mine too. Couldn't hold a seal. Then I started wiggling things around and noticed excessive side-play on the inner stub of the c-v half-shaft on the right side. Since that's where my grease leak is coming from I looked in my shop manual and learned there's a needle bearing in that extension inboard of the seal location. I had hoped it was just a bushing but it says it's a needle bearing.