Replacing rear axle side seals
 

Last summer I noticed the side seal on the left side of the differential had started to leak. At first it was just sweating alittle. Hardly noticable. But it didn't take long for it to start leaving a small quarter size puddle under the car whenever it was parked for any time. Doing a search here I only found a couple of short threads and was a little aprehensive about starting this job, but it ended up going rather smoothly. Anyway, for you veterans out there, this won't be any big deal, but on the chance there are others out there with a leaking diff and who might benefit, I thought I post up some pics.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5...002medi.th.jpg

^A before picture. Started out as just a little weeping that I noticed one day while changing oil. About 6 months later.........I had this.
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1...010medi.th.jpg
Thanks to DamonB and BigIslandSevens who, in another thread, had discussed removing only the lower mounting points of the suspension, which would allow the hub to swing up and away enough to remove the axle from the diff. In addition to the, toe-link, trailing arm and inner 'I' arm bolt at the upright, I removed the ABS sensor but did NOT have to remove the brake line. Worked like a charm.
http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/6...004medi.th.jpg
One nice pop with the pry-bar and it comes right out.
http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/1...007medi.th.jpg
Oil seal and new seal. From Malloy, IIRC ~$4 each. Cheap.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/844...009medi.th.jpg
^Picture of the new seal installed. Two things I noticed here. 1. I didn't see a "seat" for the seal, so if you not careful, it will go too far into the diff casing, which would not be a good thing. 2. I didn't have a seal installer, so I used the old seal on top of the new one and gently tapped it in gradually, until the edge of the seal was flush with the diff casing.
I then just reinstalled the axle per FSM instructions, which is to keep the retaining clip at the 12:00 o'clock position going back in, and being careful not to allow the clip to puncture or abraid the new seal. Then just reinstalled the suspension stuff, topped off the fluid which ended up only being about 1/2 cup. I then used some degreaser on a rag followed by some soap and water to clean up the diff thoroughly and I was through.

Nice right up mate,,,this will come in handy,,thankyou

Must be a lot easier with a lift. Is that in your garage or did you have a place to borrow?

Nice write up!

It's mine. Partner and I bought an old two-stall gas station about 5 minutes from our homes. Has an in-ground lift in one bay and we put a two-post lift in the other. Wives call it "Man-town". :) Yeah, it might have been a little easier, but really nothing you couldn't do with the car up on stands.

I did it on stands. The hardest part was getting the axle out. It does take some grunt to pop that baby out with a crow bar! All in all not bad though its also a good excuse to replace the oil with some good stuff.

Terry7

Glad it worked. I figured it would but had not proven it :p:

Edit: It's obvious in one of the pictures, but I forgot to mention that I also had to disconnect the e-brake cable.
Also: I figured this might be a pretty common repair, but I only found two other threads that were any help at all. In any event, for anyone else's future reference, here are the links:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...highlight=axle
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...highlight=axle

Old Post but i am new and this is most helpful seeing as i just found out i have this same leak today horray and thanks for the writeup :) Now i can change my seals out !

Your welcome. This board has been good to me over the years, nice to feel like I've contributed. Hope it helps.