[ky2003wj]

Hello to all,

Hope someone can help, I have an 03 Grand with a leaking rear axle seal. It is a 4.0, and sticker on top of axle reads PN 6551-2 4Q9433AEGNET. My question is this, do I have the axle that will come out with a slide hammer, or is this the one that has to be undone at the center as well as the end before it will come out. I thank you in advance for the advice.

[WiCkeDuDe]

The WJ axles can be pulled with a slide hammer without removing any c clips. The 4 studs on the backet plate hold the axle in the housing.

[ky2003wj]

OK, I got it out, and I see to replace the seal I am going to have to have the bearing pressed off and a new one put on with the seal, doggone shame too, cause the bearing and race look good. But, My next question is when I put it back in a trial run I notice it only will go so far. It lacks 1/8" - 3/16" going all the way back. Is it okay to pull it up with the 4 nuts that hold it in? One other thing, do I need to do anything to the seal or anything else before I put this back together? I can fix just about anything on a car, but, I have always paid someone to do axles, trannies, and engine internals. Just want to get this right so I don't have to back away from things like this in the future.

[cmonson]

DO NOT PULL the axle in with the 4 nuts. lubricate the new seal and bearing prior to installation and you should be able to slide it in.

If you use the nuts to pull the axle in, you will damage the seal, and then you will be back to wrecking a new bearing / retainer / seal, as well as another trip to the machine shop unless you have a good press.