How to remove and replace front pinion seal on 1998 dodge Dakota 4 wheel drive

If its a 4x4 remove rear drive shaft from vehicle, remove large nut (pinion nut) at front of diff which is generally hidden when driveshaft is in place. with a bearing puller remove pinion bearing replace with new one, install new pinion seal reinstall pinion cover and pinion nut tighten to specified torgue reinstall driveshaft check diff oil for proper amount

There are few help links showing exact accurate procedure to replace Rack and Pinion. Click the link below and follow the procedure:-----
Pinion Seal Replace on Dodge Dakota? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/04/pinion-seal-replace-on-dodge-dakota.html

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How to Replace a Rear Pinion Seal.
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-rear-pinion-seal.html
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How to replace Power steering rack and pinion gear on Chevy Silverado 2500 HD? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-power-steering-rack-and.html

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How to replace Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear on Acura Car Models? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-power-rack-and-pinion.html

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How to replace power rack and pinion steering gear on Toyota cruiser? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-power-rack-and-pinion.html

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How to replace Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear on Acura Car Models? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-power-rack-and-pinion.html


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Front Drive Pinion Seal Removal on Ford Explorer? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/front-drive-pinion-seal-removal-on-ford.html

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How to Replace Driveshaft, Pinion Flange & Seal?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-replace-driveshaft-pinion-flange.html

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How to Replace Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear On 2007 Ford Taurus? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-replace-power-rack-pinion.html


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How to Remove Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear on Ford Windstar? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-remove-power-rack-pinion.html

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Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear replacing details for Buick Park Avenue and Pontiac Bonneville

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/power-rack-pinion-steering-gear.html

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How to Replace Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear on Mercedes Benz Truck? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-replace-power-rack-pinion.html


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How to replace Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear on Toyota 4Runner? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-replace-power-rack-pinion_27.html

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Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear Replacing on Toyota Land Cruiser & Sequoia? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/power-rack-pinion-steering-gear.html

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Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear Removal on Toyota RAV4? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/power-rack-pinion-steering-gear-removal.html

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How to Replace Power Rack & Pinion Steering Gear on Toyota Sienna? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-replace-power-rack-pinion.html

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These details will help.
Thanks.

what about it?

conventional axle or limited slip? Get axle code off door sticker.

SECTION 205-02: Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear 1998 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual
IN-VEHICLE REPAIR Rear Wheel Bearing and Axle Shaft Oil Seal -4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI, Conventional
Special Tool(s) Axle Seal Replacer
T83T-1175-A Axle Wheel Bearing Puller
T83T-1225-A Axle Wheel Bearing Replacer
T83T-1225-B Driver Handle
T80T-4000-W Impact Slide Hammer
T50T-100-A
Removal

1. Remove the axle shaft; refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

Axle Shaft Removal

1. CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized lug nut. Heat can damage the wheel (1007) and the rear wheel bearings (1225).
   Loosen the lug nuts (1012).
   1. Remove the center cap.
   1. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, loosen the lug nuts.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   1. Remove the lug nuts.
   1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

1. Remove the axle housing cover (4033).
   1. Loosen the axle housing cover bolts (4346) and drain the rear axle (4001).
   1. Remove the axle housing cover bolts.
   1. Remove the axle housing cover.

1. Remove the rear disc brake rotors (2C026); refer to Section 206-04 .

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft (4211) has been removed, turning the differential case (4204) or an axle shaft (4234) will cause the differential pinion gears (4215) to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves.
   Remove the U-washers (4N237).
   1. Push the axle shafts inboard.
   1. Remove the U-washers.

1. Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal (1177).
   Remove the two axle shafts.

Installation

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

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft has been removed, turning the differential case or an axle shaft will cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal.
   Install the two axle shafts.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves.
   Install the U-washers.
   1. Position the two U-washers on the button end of the axle shafts.
   1. Pull the axle shafts outward.

1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the differential pinion shaft lock bolt hole.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.

1. Install the rear disc brake rotors; refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Install the axle housing cover and fill the rear axle housing (4010) with 2.4 liters (5.5 pints) of specified lubricant; refer to Axle Housing Cover in this section.

1. WARNING: Always remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign material that may be present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub or rear disc brake rotor that contacts the wheel. Installing wheels without proper metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the lug nut to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, causing loss of control.
   Clean the wheel hub and mounting surfaces.

1. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
   1. Position the tire and wheel assembly.
   1. Install the lug nuts and lower the vehicle.
   1. Tighten the lug nuts.
   1. Install the center cap.

1. CAUTION: Never remove the axle shaft oil seal by itself. Always remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal at the same time.
   NOTE: If the axle shaft oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged with debris.
   Use Impact Slide Hammer and Axle Wheel Bearing Puller to remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal.

Installation

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing.
   1. Use Thermally Stable Rear Axle Lubricant XY-80W90-QL or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSP-M2C197-A.

1. Use Axle Wheel Bearing Replacer with Driver Handle to install the rear wheel bearing.

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

1. Use Axle Seal Replacer with Driver Handle to install the axle shaft oil seal.

1. Install the axle shaft; refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

Here is the manual..
http://www.repairmanual.com/category/1998-dodge-dakota/



Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating and POSITIVE TESTIMONIAL is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

Pry it off the yoke with a prybar. The shaft has a slip joint in it.

There is a socket sold,for the ends of shocks.
If you can install it,you can hold and tighten the top nut.
Shocks have been like that for 40 years.
If your removing it,cut the nut with your cut off wheel.

PINION FLANGE & OIL SEAL

CAUTION: Following procedure must be used to retain proper pinion bearing preload. Failure to follow procedure may result in premature axle assembly or component failure. Ensure pinion bearing preload is checked before disassembly, as previous pinion bearing preload will be used during reassembly.

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Scribe reference mark on drive shaft-to-pinion flange on differential for reassembly reference. Remove bolts and "U" joint straps at pinion flange on differential.
Disconnect drive shaft from differential.
2. Remove rear wheels and brake drums to prevent any drag that may affect pinion bearing preload reading. Using INCH-lb. torque wrench, measure amount of force required to rotate pinion. This is pinion bearing preload. Record pinion bearing preload for reassembly reference.
3. Using Holder (6719), hold pinion flange. Remove pinion nut and washer. Scribe reference mark on pinion flange-to-pinion for reassembly reference. Using appropriate puller, remove pinion flange from pinion. Remove oil seal from axle housing.

Installation

1. Ensure oil seal surface in axle housing is clean. Coat lip of oil seal with gear lube. Install oil seal using appropriate seal installer. Drive oil seal into axle housing until oil seal installer contacts axle housing.
2. Install pinion flange on pinion with reference mark aligned. Using appropriate pinion flange installer, install pinion flange on pinion.

CAUTION: Washer must be installed on pinion with convex side of washer facing outward (away from pinion).

3. Install washer on pinion with convex side of washer facing outward (away from pinion). Install NEW pinion nut. Tighten pinion nut to 210 ft. lbs. (285 N.m). Rotate pinion several times to seat pinion bearings.

CAUTION: DO NOT overtighten or loosen then retighten pinion nut when adjusting pinion bearing preload. If pinion nut is overtightened, collapsible spacer on pinion must be replaced.

4. Rotate pinion using INCH-lb. torque wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to reading recorded in removal step 2) , plus 5 INCH lbs. (.056 N.m). If rotating torque is low, tighten pinion nut in small increments until proper rotating torque is obtained.
5. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure using NEW "U" joint straps and bolts. Ensure all reference marks are aligned. Tighten bolts to specification. Check lubricant level and add if necessary.

if you call your chry dealer and give him the last eight numbers in your vin,he can tell what came with your truck.
but if you need a pinion seal,there is no reason to get into the rear end.just remove the drive shaft and yoke nut and yoke,then seal.

Your rear engine seal is probably shot. I wish I could tell you that it's an easy job to fix. You "could" try some of that engine stop leak stuff which is supposed to repair dried out seals, but I have never had luck with that stuff.

You'll probably need to get the seal replaced, which involves pulling the transmission off. Luckily its a rear wheel drive truck - it's no where near has hard as a front wheel drive!!

If it is 4X4 you will need to remove your hub assembly. Then If, 2 wheel drive you will need to remove your brake assembly. The dust cover to get access to axle nut. Remove the cotter pin, then the nut. Be careful of the ABS connection on the back of your hub. Replace bearings, races and the seal. Let me know if you need to know how to load your bearings and I’ll go into more detail.