Replacing diff-drive shaft oil seal '95 Astra

My '95 Astra hatch has a slight leak on the near side (LHS) diff/drive shaft
oil seal, causing that area of the casing to become black with dirt. I
have the strut and lower arm out for other work and am thinking of replacing
the seal.

The Haynes manual says the near side shaft can be difficult to get out, and
with the engine in the car and up on jacks access is quite limited. I
tried a half hearted attempt at removing it but it does seem to require some
force to overcome the snap ring.

I don't want to start a job that can't be completed insitu. Can it be done
with the car in this position?

Any recommendations how to go about releasing the drive shaft and refitting
it?

Roger

 

Be more brutal - the shaft will come out - hit the inner joint in an
outwards direction with a BLUNT chisel. Don't split the boot. The seal
will just lever out - take care not to damage the casing. Look how far the
old one is in before you take it out so you know how far to put the new one
in. Use a seal installer if pos so you don't damage the new seal - if not
put the old one over the new one and hit that - room is tight. Don't forget
to top up your box oil.

 

I'd also advise draining the oil, before you have it dumped in your lap when
you remove the shaft. WTH, a change of oil in the box wont hurt

Mike

 

Thanks for the replies.

Drained the oil first by removing the sump as recommended.

In the event used a pair of tyre levers, one over each of the pair of raised
lands on the casing and levered against the inner edge of the driveshaft.
A sharp tug on the levers and it was out.

The oil seal however doesn't want to budge.

Just to check the old one was fitted the correct way round...the black
rubber side faces outwards, metal side with spring collar on the inside.

Roger

 

That's the right way round. They can be a complete B**ch to remove.
Whatever you do don't damage the casing. Usually a matter of levering
them out. Tyre levers sound good. But (to repeat my self) don't damage
the casing. By the way the gear oil and engine oil are separate.
Removing the sump won't drain the gearbox oil. *Check the level
afterwards* (See Haynes manual).
Dave