TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Aug 07, 2024 7:06 pm

This might be a stupid question but I have no shame so I thought I’d post here. I’ve been putting off starting the job of replacing my drive seals. I’m estimating this is going to take me 6+ hours and with life happening outside of my bus I’m having trouble finding the time. Is this a job that should be completed once started or can I do this over a few days? Or up to a week or so? My bus is running pretty well right now and I hate to not start it up for several days. Maybe I’m overthinking this (probably) Let me know.

Wed Aug 07, 2024 9:46 pm

I just did the passenger one on my bus, pretty easy job. I watched a couple of YouTube videos and read some threads about it first. I think your over estimating the time buy a lot. I bet you could do both sides in 3 hours or less.

Wed Aug 07, 2024 10:07 pm

Globedog12 wrote: This might be a stupid question but I have no shame so I thought I’d post here. I’ve been putting off starting the job of replacing my drive seals. I’m estimating this is going to take me 6+ hours and with life happening outside of my bus I’m having trouble finding the time. Is this a job that should be completed once started or can I do this over a few days? Or up to a week or so? My bus is running pretty well right now and I hate to not start it up for several days. Maybe I’m overthinking this (probably) Let me know.

How long has it been since you regreased your CV joints? Good time to do them if you are going to be messing in that area anyway. The seals themselves are not hard to change, but having the correct tools helps: a long allen adapter or triple square as required for your CV bolts, YOU MAY ACTUALLY NEED BOTH IF YOU HAVE A MIX OF BOLT STYLES, a decent seal puller, and a set of duck bill snapring pliars for a manual tranny or the correct size allen adapter for an automatic.

Wed Aug 07, 2024 10:15 pm

You have to check the gear oil level anyway, and probably top up a bit. Don’t sideline the bus for a small leak. If it’s huge, take a whole day and enjoy the job. If it’s a small leak, like a quarter or less size on the ground, drive it until convenience overcomes the worry.

Robbie

Wed Aug 07, 2024 11:12 pm

I was very fortunate to have been gifted the special tool by our friend Bigbore a couple years back. Very nice of him.

Thu Aug 08, 2024 6:38 am

aeromech wrote: I was very fortunate to have been gifted the special tool by our friend Bigbore a couple years back. Very nice of him.

Care to elaborate?

Thu Aug 08, 2024 6:45 am

Globedog12 wrote: aeromech wrote: I was very fortunate to have been gifted the special tool by our friend Bigbore a couple years back. Very nice of him.

Care to elaborate?

Do you want a picture or a step by step on the job?

Thu Aug 08, 2024 6:54 am

aeromech wrote: Globedog12 wrote: aeromech wrote: I was very fortunate to have been gifted the special tool by our friend Bigbore a couple years back. Very nice of him.

Care to elaborate?

Do you want a picture or a step by step on the job?

Just a picture. I don’t need a step by step I’m just curious about the special tool.

Thu Aug 08, 2024 7:09 am

Globedog12 wrote: aeromech wrote: Globedog12 wrote: aeromech wrote: I was very fortunate to have been gifted the special tool by our friend Bigbore a couple years back. Very nice of him.

Care to elaborate?

Do you want a picture or a step by step on the job?

Just a picture. I don’t need a step by step I’m just curious about the special tool.

It’s early here but I’ll get that done this morning

Thu Aug 08, 2024 11:50 am

Here ya go

Thu Aug 08, 2024 11:58 am

Very nice to have. I made q crappy but functional version with a piece of steel plate and an angle grinder and a little welding.

Ray

Thu Aug 08, 2024 12:46 pm

You really don't need that tool to do the job though, as the seal can be replaced easily without removing the adjusting nut, one just needs a decent seal puller.

If you do need a tool to remove the adjusting nut, they are easy enough to make.

If one does choose to remove the nut, punch marking the position of the adjusting nut before beginning to remove it is a must.

Thu Aug 08, 2024 1:17 pm

Mike,
If I remember right there's a big o-ring too

Thu Aug 08, 2024 2:38 pm

That is a nice tool

Thu Aug 08, 2024 2:40 pm

Wildthings wrote: You really don't need that tool to do the job though, as the seal can be replaced easily without removing the adjusting nut, one just needs a decent seal puller.

If you do need a tool to remove the adjusting nut, they are easy enough to make.

If one does choose to remove the nut, punch marking the position of the adjusting nut before beginning to remove it is a must.

I’m hoping I can get the seal out with a puller to avoid screwing with the adjusting nut.

Thu Aug 08, 2024 3:08 pm

If I coulda, I woulda. I removed the “nut” and using a hammer and my concrete floor, banged them out and in. I marked the nut location prior to removing

Thu Aug 08, 2024 3:43 pm

aeromech wrote: Mike,
If I remember right there's a big o-ring too

Yes there is a big o-ring, but they seem to be able to last through a life of several hundred thousand miles of use or twenty years of sitting, at least in my climate.

Thu Aug 08, 2024 4:44 pm

It came in the kit so I changed it. I tried to just remove the oil seal but even using my snap on puller, I couldn’t without pulling the “nut” and at that point the oring is acceptable easily.

Thu Aug 08, 2024 5:37 pm

Do I need to put any lube on the outer edge of the new seal to assist in installation? Cv grease, silicone grease?

Thu Aug 08, 2024 6:08 pm

Absolutely. Always lubricate o-rings when installing. What you use isn’t as important as not leaving it dry