The numbers 16-17-18 are what I'm working with. Do I need to remove the "bushings" where the o-rings and sealing washers ride? If so- how do I get them out? There was a little wear where the lift arm pivots on the exterior part of the shaft which doesn't affect the sealing. The shaft showed no wear or out-of-round where the sealing washers ride. I think that is where my problem happened. The hard part was unfolding them once I got them inside the o-rings.
I used a heat gun to warm them up, then I had to fold them to insert them inside the o-rings. That was quite easy but installing the sealing washers was a challenge. I did get the o-rings seated in the groove. There is no need for any lubricant so why stick the shaft thru the housing at all? I just don't know how to get the flat o-rings in. They just needed to have an anchor/pivot for the back end of the lift arms. I can't figure why JD stuck the shaft thru the housing. I've never seen this kind of double o-ring method used before to seal around a shaft. There is no sleeve inside the housing unless you're talking about where the o-ring groove is. The shaft is about 3" out each side of the housing and that is where the lift arms are slid on and fastened with a collar with a hole to put a fastener pin thru. Then the shaft slides thru the flat o-ring and thru the housing and out the other side.
Where the shaft goes into the housing, there is a round o-ring inserted into a grove inside the housing and then an o-ring with flat sides goes inside the round o-ring. The lift arms slide onto the ends of the shaft on each side of the housing. I have a shaft around 3/4" diameter and 19" long. When doing this job in the winter I put the seals in an inside pocket before leaving the shop if its a road call." Bob It sometimes helps to chill the bushing before installing. Now cut the shaft right next to the bush,reinstall and repeat for opposite side.
The fastest and easiest way I have found to remove the bushings is to clean the bush and shaft of any oil, install the shaft as it would normally sit then weld the bush to the shaft ON ONE END then drive shaft and bush fom the diff housing. The seals are tough but can be pulled out with an O ring pick or cotter pin puller. "I usually change out the shaft, bushings and seals all at once to cover all bases. Heat the new seal in boiling water and push it into place and roll it into the groove with a blunt tool so you don't damage it.īelow is a post on the YT forum written by a guy named Bob on this subject: If you want to try just a seal replacement, they are tough, but can be pulled out with an o-ring pick, cotter pin puller, etc. There are bushings in the housing where the shaft passes thru that may be worn out-of-round, and/or the shaft itself may be worn. Your problem may be more than just seal failure.