Trouble replacing axle seals - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

PatrickGSR94 · 03-06-2010, 06:30 PM

Hey all, been awhile since I've been on here.

Today I began what is going to be loads of work on my wife's 96 Corolla that is LONG overdue. 2 weeks ago I replaced the front brakes, and today I replaced both CV axles, axle seals, and replaced the A/T filter, pan gasket, and A/T fluid. I have loads more work planned for the coming weeks.

I purchased GS-P brand new axles from Advance Auto Parts, and Moog left and right CV axle seals. I got the left seal in after having to purchase a 1-5/8" 3/4" drive socket and a 1/2-3/4 adapter so I could use my 1/2" extension on it. I could not find a seal driver set at AutoZone near my house, and didn't want to drive all over town trying to find one.

So then I tried to get the right side axle seal in (outside diameter nearly identical to the O.D. of the 1-5/8" socket). I found it totally impossible to get that seal installed after trying for about an hour. I compared it to the original seal I removed, and the new one appeared to be about 1/32" to 1/16" larger in diameter than the original. The original one didn't look too bad and I don't think it was actually leaking beforehand, so I just put the old one back in, which went right back in quite easily.

The new seal looked pretty much the same as the old one, aside from the slight O.D. difference. I thought Moog products were pretty good quality. Maybe this one was just defective? Would I have better luck with an OEM Toyota axle seal?

ToyotaHankins · 03-09-2010, 01:40 AM

when i did my left cv axel i changed the seal too just because i disterbed it when changing the axel. Mine wasn't leaking either. I bought the toyota brand. I just bought a inexpensive seal driver kit. It worked like a charm. I had no problems at all. It took me like 15mins to do. But you have to watch when installing the new seal. there is a certain depth that you have to install it too. It says it in the maintenance manual. other than that its easy.

Rip The E Brake · 03-09-2010, 02:46 AM

Please view this thread - http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t330150.html

speedy25 · 03-09-2010, 09:37 AM

Size- The numbers are on the outside of the seal. I dont know the specific toyota axle seal size but you should see something like 35 x 68 x 8. Check your old one and the new one to see if they really are the same size.

They DO fit in the hole tightly. Another way to push them in is with a hammer and a piece of 1x4 wood. If you have had a lot of practice you can push them in with a hammer alone. Yes some can be a pain getting it in, but just be patient and work it around the perimeter until its actually in the hole and then work it down until its flush with the case.

-SP

PatrickGSR94 · 03-10-2010, 12:30 PM

The Haynes manual says the left seal is supposed to be recessed a bit more than the right one... something like 1/4" or 3/8" for the left and only 1/16" on the right. There appeared to be a "lip" inside the transmission that would keep the seal from going in too far. I drove the left one in as far as it would go and the recess appeared to be correct.

I worked and worked and worked on that right one but just couldn't get the Moog seal to go in. The problem is the right seal is sooo far away from the right side of the car, so I had to get underneath the car and try to hold the 1-5/8" socket up to the seal and hammer on my 1/2" socket extension sort of in between the oil pan and the front subframe. I couldn't really get a good angle on it at all.

I guess if the right one leaks I'll just go get an OEM Toyota one.

Rip The E Brake · 03-10-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94

The Haynes manual says the left seal is supposed to be recessed a bit more than the right one... something like 1/4" or 3/8" for the left and only 1/16" on the right. There appeared to be a "lip" inside the transmission that would keep the seal from going in too far. I drove the left one in as far as it would go and the recess appeared to be correct.

I worked and worked and worked on that right one but just couldn't get the Moog seal to go in. The problem is the right seal is sooo far away from the right side of the car, so I had to get underneath the car and try to hold the 1-5/8" socket up to the seal and hammer on my 1/2" socket extension sort of in between the oil pan and the front subframe. I couldn't really get a good angle on it at all.

I guess if the right one leaks I'll just go get an OEM Toyota one.

It's hard to get to that side, without dropping the k frame.

PatrickGSR94 · 03-10-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip The E Brake

It's hard to get to that side, without dropping the k frame.

Is that the piece that runs fore-aft under the engine? I'm so not used to that piece being there, as my Integra doesn't have a longitudinal frame piece under the engine like that. Sure makes it a pain trying to work around the transaxle and the rear portion of the engine.

PatrickGSR94 · 03-10-2010, 02:19 PM

I was looking at this seal driver kit on Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=35555

Is this what everyone else is using? It looks like that wouldn't work for the axle seals, due to the axle seals for this car having a "lip" that sticks out from the face of the seal, which is why I used a large socket.