'47 Plymouth axle seals replacement - correct seals

[sjaakslinger]

I have diff oil leaking through the axle into the brake hubs.☹️

 

I measured the outer seals in the backing plate and could cross reference the part nr. 859164 from the parts book to SKF 13797.

Inner seals 651678 lead to the same SKF nr 13797 though.🤔 Can anyone confirm the inner and outer seals are indeed identical for a '47 Plymouth? I saw an older thread about this, but didn't see a solution. The parts book shows a larger ID for the inner seal than what pops up on different car part sites. I can't pull the seal and measure (and then order the seals) cause I can't leave the car standing like that for a long time.

 

And how do you replace the inner seal? I have the TSM, but find it really poor. It shows a puller to pull the shaft out. You remove the hub and then you can pull the shaft out??? Then how is it held in place? And what if you don't have a puller like this?

 

Thanks.

 

Dennis

[Merle Coggins]

Remove the brake backing plate. The outer seal in pressed into that anyway. Once you have that out of the way you'll need to pull the axle shaft. You may need to rig up a puller, or slide hammer to pull the axle. The inner seal is behind the wheel bearing. When you go back together you'll want to clean and repack the bearing with grease. 

[sjaakslinger]

Thank. Sounds easier than it probably is.

 

So you don't need to disassemble the differential in order to remove the shaft? After removing the backing plate, the shaft can be pulled out??

[Saskwatch]

I’m not qualified to answer on the axle shaft , I “think” the backing plate holds the axle bearing that holds the axle in place ?? ….someone will correct me if I’m wrong here. 
   Keithb7  has posted that the inner axle seal can be replaced with a Caterpillar equipment part no. # 2B-1869   

  He also has some YouTube videos on the rear differential that may be helpful. 
  Forum member Noonan has an interesting post on how he replaced the outer seal , it can be found on page 5 of this forum .

  On this axle these are grease seals , “possibly , I think “ if to much grease was forced into the bearing cavity it may be forcing out the outer seal,  in some situations the seal may not need to be replaced , but rather relieve the pressure by removing some grease ? 
   Please let us know how you make out 👍