1997 Volvo 850 passenger axle seal install

[camjohns]

Hello all,

i have been searing around the forum and was just wondering what the best way to remove the axle seal and the best way to install the axle seal.

from what i have gathered, yank the old seal out whatever way possible. I found this tool at advanced auto, would this be more helpful?
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/auto ... /9021248-P

and to install using an 1 1/2 in pvc pipe to tap it in.

is there any other ways that would be more helpful?

thanks!

[phils94850]

that tool would be great, ive used a screw driver to pop the old seal out and yeah you can use pvc or a socket big enough to tap it back in...

[jreed]

To replace the axle seal I used a 1 1/2" PVC connector too. That worked pretty well but you have to be careful to start out straight and tap it in straight to keep it straight. To remove the old seal, I used a nylon pry bar, the second one from the right in the picture below. This set was ~$5 at Harbor Freight. I also used the pry bar to straighten the new seal while I was trying to drive it in with the PVC connector.

Nylon pry bar

Screen Shot 2014-09-27 at 4.21.36 PM.png (406.01 KiB) Viewed 612 times

[camjohns]

sounds good! will any piece of pvc pipe that is 1 1/2 inch work?

what about using the old seal to place over the new and tapping it in that way? I saw that someone had done that with a rear main seal and thought that was pretty smart. Not sure if there would be a difference with the axle seal though

[erikv11]

For the axle seal I find a block of wood is superior for install. It is too easy to make the seal crooked with a piece of pipe. The wood there is plenty of room to tap/bang on it on the passenger side especially. I cut off the end of a 2 x 4.