81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

hey guys...need some input ijust replacedthe axel bearings in my 81 GSL<what a pain in the ***> and when i bout bearing seals I think they gave me the wrong ones and of course me being the impatient person I am I ripped out the old passenger side before checking so i had to put it all back together without a seal. Now it'sbeen about 2 days and I've been checking and I don't see any diff fluid leaking out so what do we think??? let it ride or tear it apart again on my next day off? Also how are the seals installed/removed? also I ran into a helluva problem removing the e-brake cable any easy tips to make it a lil simpler next time??

Thanks,
Ken

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

c'mon guys....any help???

Rogue_Wulff

You will need to pull it back apart, and replace the seal. It may take a little while, but oil will start to leak, especially if you are fond of cornering.
Removing the seal is usually a little tricky, but it can be popped out with a long screwdriver, by putting the end behind the seal, and prying outward against the opposite side of the housing.
Installing the seal is easiest with a large socket or pipe that is the same size as the metal part of the seal, but will also fit inside the housing.
Removing the e-brake cable is easier if you loosen the adjustment nuts first, then unhook it at the caliper.
I'm guessing they either gave you seals for an 84-85 rear, or for the front wheels. Front seals are slightly smaller, while the 84-85 rear seals are larger.

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

well this is what i did in terms of removing the seal i only noticed a small bit of rubber inside and pulled it with a pair of pliers and it came out in pieces and there seemed to be a metal ring left inside...i'm not sure if this was the remainder of the impregnated metal ring in the old seal or if it is a retainer built into the axel tube...????? the seals o.d. are the same as the axel tubes i.d. and have a center hole that is tappered and fits over the bearing retainer very snugly so they may be the right ones I justmight not have removed allof the old seal....what should the axel tube look like after removing the seal???...also how can I remove the e-brake cable??...I unbolted the bracket last time but as isaid beforeit was a P.I.T.A....

Rogue_Wulff

The matel ring you mentioned is likely part of the seal. Use the screwdriver/prybar trick I mentioned to remove it.
The brake cables have a threaded section a couple inches from the caliper end, where they mount to the bracket. Loosen the nuts, and lift it out of the bracket before unhooking it from the caliper.

One last tip, apply a light coat of oil to the rubber lip of the seal, before installing the axle. This can extend the seals life greatly.

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

yeah....i loosened the two nuts on the e-cable but there was no way to remove the cable from the bracket there's only a small slit in the bracket and the cable seems to be too wide am i missing something is there a way to get the get just the wire cable to slide out....the threaded adjustment tube is way too big to slide out....hence that's why i unbolted it before at the bracket...

Rogue_Wulff

You can run one of the nuts off the end of the sleeve, then lift the cable out. You may need to back off the adjustment at the park brake handle, to get a little more slack in the cable.
Try to spray the nuts/sleeve with a good cleaner before removing the nut, to make it easier to reinstall.

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

good deal....i wasn't sure if you could back the nut all the way off...I appreciate the help rogue and I'll be tackling the problem this coming tuesday...if I run into any issues do you mind if i PM you?....thanks again

Rogue_Wulff

No problem. Glad to assist when I can. PM is fine, I get a few from others anyways.
The nut is designed to come off the end, so the cable can be installed or removed from the bracket.