After what feels like forever, I think tomorrow’s the day I’ll finally get the wheel back on and be able to take the truck off the jackstands. This has been a long time coming.
I had to buy one of those tools last year when I replaced my hubs. Made the job so much easier and totally worth it.
Mika said:
I had to buy one of those tools last year when I replaced my hubs. Made the job so much easier and totally worth it.
Yeah, I learned the hard way that smarter people figured this out decades ago. My ego tried to reinvent the wheel, and honestly, I don’t even know why.
Doesn’t AutoZone sell that tool for like $20?
Sam said:
Doesn’t AutoZone sell that tool for like $20?
Nope, it’s $155 on their website.
Sam said:
Doesn’t AutoZone sell that tool for like $20?
Nope, it’s $155 on their website.
Doh, I must’ve been thinking about the rear seal tool. It really sucks when you need to buy an oddball specialty tool for a single repair.
That new style dust seal should be pressed into the axle housing first, then you slide the axle through the knuckle. You can also use that tool to seat the axle properly into the knuckle.
I made one using a 1.25" pipe flange, a nipple, and a cap. You just need to grind the flange down a bit to fit. Check this out:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/976215-axle-shaft-seal-installer-anybody-got-one.html
The dust seal should be seated into the axle housing before you install the axle shaft.
Gray said:
The dust seal should be seated into the axle housing before you install the axle shaft.
Good call. I just put it there so I wouldn’t lose it—I lose everything otherwise!