[HooDat]

So my front axle just blew out and I am getting a notchy feeling when accelerating on turns and get a clicky noice. I was told by the Indy shop that I should replace the axle seals along with the axle.

How hard is it to replace the axle seals? I was planning on replacing the axles myself but I was told by the INDY shop that replacing the seals is a lot more involved... Do i need any special tools?

[dpaul]

Once you've got the axle out, seal replacement is no big deal. You can lever the old one out with a screwdriver. You can use a big socket for a seal driver or just use a plastic faced hammer to evenly tap in the new seal. Go slowly and don't get the new one cocked.

[HooDat]

Originally Posted by dpaul

Once you've got the axle out, seal replacement is no big deal. You can lever the old one out with a screwdriver. You can use a big socket for a seal driver or just use a plastic faced hammer to evenly tap in the new seal. Go slowly and don't get the new one cocked.

Do you think I'd need an axle puller/remover or is a flathead/wedge good enough? and is an alignment required? thank you

[fredcase]

Seals are easy. Just take your time tapping the new ones in. New one should come with new C-clips. Be very careful putting in a new one. I had a BMW mechanic buddy get one stuck in my car. Wouldn't go in all the way, or out AT ALL. Total nightmare.

You will defiantly need an alignment after, you have to disconnect the entire lower suspension from the sub frame to get the axle out.

[dpaul]

Getting the axles in and out can be trivial or a challenge depending on the tolerance of fit for various components.

Getting the old axle out of the wheel hub is no problem even if the spline is tight because you are going to discard it anyway. Just whack the threaded end with a sledge. Getting the differential end out can be difficult because space is tight and there is not always a convenient ledge to pry from. I recommend a tool like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steck-Manuf...Mrb:rk:10:pf:0

Getting the new axle in can also present issues. The C-clips provided with many aftermarket axels are too large and can break or simply refuse to allow the axle to seat. I'd recommend buying new OEM C-clips or at least recover the old ones from your worn axles. C-clips aside, seating the differential end is not a problem but getting the spline far enough into the wheel hub to place the axle nut can be a bitch. For that, I'd recommend a tool like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/7Pc-Drive-S...97.m4902.l9144

[HooDat]

Originally Posted by dpaul

Getting the axles in and out can be trivial or a challenge depending on the tolerance of fit for various components.

Getting the old axle out of the wheel hub is no problem even if the spline is tight because you are going to discard it anyway. Just whack the threaded end with a sledge. Getting the differential end out can be difficult because space is tight and there is not always a convenient ledge to pry from. I recommend a tool like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steck-Manuf...Mrb:rk:10:pf:0

Getting the new axle in can also present issues. The C-clips provided with many aftermarket axels are too large and can break or simply refuse to allow the axle to seat. I'd recommend buying new OEM C-clips or at least recover the old ones from your worn axles. C-clips aside, seating the differential end is not a problem but getting the spline far enough into the wheel hub to place the axle nut can be a bitch. For that, I'd recommend a tool like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/7Pc-Drive-S...97.m4902.l9144

Ah okay that definitely helps to know... I'm wondering if it's worth just paying the indy to replace the axles and seals with OEM parts $2000 including labor... I feel comfortable doing the work, but i'd have to buy all the additional tools.

[dpaul]

Tools are cheap. It’s way, way less than 2K to do it yourself. But It’s your dollar

[MiniXP]

Not sure how similar the front Axles on an e92 are, but I replaced the axles on my e46 several times.

The e46 axle had little ridges on the hard part close to the diff. To remove them from the diff, I got under the car, put a long screwdriver against that ridge and tapped it out very easily. If you inspect the new axle, you should be able to figure out what I am saying.

For the e46 I actually had a very hard time getting the axle out of the hub, so you may want to have a puller on hand just in case. I pieced together two pullers that autozone loans for free and it saved me a lot of hammering.

[dpaul]

Originally Posted by MiniXP

Not sure how similar the front Axles on an e92 are, but I replaced the axles on my e46 several times.

The e46 axle had little ridges on the hard part close to the diff. To remove them from the diff, I got under the car, put a long screwdriver against that ridge and tapped it out very easily. If you inspect the new axle, you should be able to figure out what I am saying.

For the e46 I actually had a very hard time getting the axle out of the hub, so you may want to have a puller on hand just in case. I pieced together two pullers that autozone loans for free and it saved me a lot of hammering.

Depends on the source of the axles - some have a ridge you can pry on or tap on and some don't. Some E9x axles are completely smooth and round at the diff end - very annoying

[HooDat]

Thanks for all your input guys, I have ordered the parts and will try to tackle it myself with the tools I have. If i am unable to I found an indy that will charge me only $200 labor for both axle and seals to be replaced.

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by HooDat

Thanks for all your input guys, I have ordered the parts and will try to tackle it myself with the tools I have. If i am unable to I found an indy that will charge me only $200 labor for both axle and seals to be replaced.

For $200 I would 100% pay the indy to do it. It's definitely a job you can DIY, but every time I've done it I always run into some extremely frustrating part and the whole thing ends up taking way longer than it should.

[dpaul]

It's all about having the proper tools