Drive shaft removal (problem solved)

[Click_It]

Here is a picture of (what's left of) my seal.

Looks like it's a bit further gone than mine. Let us know how installation of new one goes. If I notice even a few drops of oil I'll dump it and follow your lead.

[bravekozak]

It only took me about 3 minutes to remove the old one and tap in a new seal.

[iceracerdude]

This is what the diff carrier looks like in your transaxles, in fact the first picture actually shows about what the orientation of it is when it's in the trans.
Picture the axles entering this from the 9:00 and 3:00 positions


Don't know why this second piture doesn't appear!?
The way the side gears are actually removed from the carrier is, (like in this second picture) they get rotated within that spherically ground housing until they get to the 2 openings, and then they just drop free. The pinion gears are on the pinion pin, which gets removed separately. So what these guys are refering to is, if both axles are removed at the same time and the trans internals are allowed to shift too much, these side gears can move out of their original positions to the point of falling from the carrier.

[bravekozak]

I installed the small halfshaft and tried to take out the large halfshaft. It wouldn't come out. So, instead of yanking on it, I did the lightly pry one side and woodpecker tap the bell routine. Sure enough, it popped right out.

I have to add the fact that the bolts holding the shock to the left hand knuckle assembly refused to come out with a heavy mallet. I switched to an air riveter and the bolts flew out.

I am going to order replacement bolts in the group buy.