....should I take off the rear section then remove/replace, or can the seal be replaced without breakinig apart the tranny...

 

It can be done in the car.Get the rear of the vehicle up as high as you can safely,the higher it is the better. you wont have to drain the trans fluid. Brake lose the drive shaft bolts,remove the drive shaft. remove any heat shields that are covering the tail shaft area. Use a seal remover or a screwdriver to gently pry out the old seal.You should at this time check the tail shaft bushing for wear look at it as well as insert the drive shaft and check for excessive play,worn bushing can make the seal leak.Pack the back side of the seal with white grease to prevent the spring from falling out when tapping the new seal in to the trans with a suitable driver, back side of a big socket...put a short extension in to the socket backwards and tap on the end of the extension.Reinstall the heat shields and drive shaft.Then get the car level,jack the front up carefully with the rear still in the air and check and set the trans fluid level and you should be good to go.

 

fantastic reply, job is even easier...the tranny is on a bench but this explanation is a keeper...thanks again.

 

If you have the transmission out then you might want to consider replacing the front seal and gasket.

 

...and lube the clutch fork pivot, and think about swapping the TO bearing just on general principles.

 

a lip seal puller works so much better than destroying surfaces with a flat blade....but you do watcha gotta do!

 

..hmmm good idea. The rear was leaking...man that hypoid stinks

 

wow...thanks for all the good input,