Replace rear wheel seal - 1996 Pontiac Firebird

1. Jack up the vehicle: Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the vehicle off the ground.
2. Remove the wheel: Remove the wheel and tire from the rear axle.
3. Access the seals: Locate the rear outer seals on the axle and remove any retaining clips that hold them in place.
4. Remove the old seals: Use a seal puller or a flat-blade screwdriver to carefully remove the old seals. Be careful not to damage the axle or surrounding components during this process.
5. Clean the axle: Clean the surface of the axle where the new seals will be installed to ensure a proper seal.
6. Install the new seals: Carefully place the new seals onto the axle and secure them in place with the retaining clips.
7. Replace the wheel: Replace the wheel and tire and lower the vehicle back to the ground.

It may be helpful to have a service manual for your vehicle on hand, as well as specialized tools such as a seal puller or a bearing packer. In addition, a clean and well-lit workspace will help make the process easier.

Wheel Bearings

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Adjustment

2002-05 Models

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Rear wheel Brake drum Hub cover Cotter pin Lock nut cover
3. Adjust the locknut to achieve wheel bearing play of 0.001-0.006 inches (0.025-0.152 mm).

Removal & Installation

2002-05 Models

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Rear wheel Brake drum Hub cap Cotter pin Lock nut cover Lock nut Wheel bearing retainer washer and the outer wheel bearing Hub assembly Grease seal Inner wheel bearing
3. Clean and inspect the wheel bearings and races for unusual wear or damage. Replace parts as necessary.

To install:

1. Pack the wheel bearings with grease for assembly.
2. Install or connect the following:
   
   Inner wheel bearing Grease seal Hub assembly Lock nut. Adjust the locknut to achieve wheel bearing play of 0.001-0.006 inches (0.025-0.152 mm). Lock nut cover Cotter pin Hub cap Brake drum Rear wheel
   

You will have to take the shaft out. Take the shaft to a machine shop so they can remove the bearing to install the new seal. May also be the internal seal inside the center diff banjo housing. Also check or replace the upper vent to make sure pressure can be released.

You will have to remove the rear axle to perform this job The seal will be inside the diff housing and is held in place by the axle bearing.

In order to replace the rear main seal you will need some auto repair tools and experience . this is a big job , the transmission must be removed to replace this seal, also make sure that the seal is the leak,

oil always flows down, a leak on the top of the engine will flow down and drip at the center rear and look like a rear main seal , make sure that is the leak!!.

Depending on what engine you have and if it has 4 wheel drive the time for a shop to do is from 7 to 10 hours depending on engine size and 4wd,

There is some work involve in replacing rear main seal, seal sit in the rear of the engine block, the transmission will have to be remove, and the fly wheel to get to the rear main seal.If you have never removed a engine or transmission, it might be best to pay and have some one do it for you.

NOT THAT HARD IF YOU HAVE SLIDE HAMMER AND A 3 JAW ADAPTER.TO REMOVE REAR OUTPUT DRIVE SHAFT SEAL AND AND NEED A SEAL DRIVER TO DRIVE NEW SEAL IN THE TRANSFER CASE REAR.OUTPUT SHAFT HOUSING.

this is very hard if you do not know what you are doing. Ill try to step you through this

• pull wheels
• drain pun-kin case
• pull rear cover
• in between the spider and axle sets pull C ring with needle nose pliers
• pull hub and axle out CAREFULLY as there are roller bearings on the end of the axle housing
• pull seal out at the end of axle housing
• tap in new seal CAREFULLY and straight DO NOT BEND IT or it will be junk
• replace axle carefully as the roller bearings are still there
• replace C clip to original position
• replace axle diff cover and replace the gasket with a new one
• refill diff case
  
• install tire
• your good to go
  

You should be ok replacing the outer seal but check for bearing play or fautly outer wheel bearing before you disassemble. If to much lateral movement in axle shaft it will take out your new seal rather quickley.

Axle Shaft Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Remove the differential housing cover (4033).
   1. Loosen the bolts and drain the lubricant from the rear axle housing (4010).
   1. Remove the bolts.
   1. Remove the differential housing cover.

Remove the rear brake disc (2C026). For additional information, refer to Section 206-04 .

1. CAUTION: Turning the differential case (4204) or an axle shaft (4234) with the differential pinion shaft (4211) removed will cause the differential pinion gears (4215) to fall out of the assembly and damage the components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.
2. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the U-washer groove.
3. Remove the U-washer (4N237).
4. Push the axle shaft inboard.
5. Remove the U-washer.

Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.

1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
2. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.
3. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal (1177).
   Remove the axle shaft.

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Seal Removal

1. Remove the axle shaft (4334). For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

1. CAUTION: Never remove the wheel bearing oil seal (1177) by itself. Always remove the rear wheel bearing (1225) and the inner wheel bearing oil seal at the same time.
   NOTE: If the wheel bearing oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged with foreign material.
   Using the special tools, remove the rear wheel bearing and wheel bearing oil seal together.

Installation

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing.
   • For 4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI with limited slip rear axles and 5.0L vehicles, use SAE 75W-140 High Performance Rear Axle Lubricant F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A.
   • For 4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI with conventional rear axles, use SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant XY-80W90-QL or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSP-M2C197-A.

1. Using the special tools, install the rear wheel bearing.

1. Lubricate the lip of the new wheel bearing oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. Using the special tools, install the wheel bearing oil seal.

1. Install the axle shaft. For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.