[blykins]

Hold up Ernie...

If his is exactly like mine, the seal presses into the axle housing. I just did this like 3 weeks ago, so it's fresh in my mind. It's not like the ones I've seen in the past...the seal does not go on the axle itself behind the bearing.

It even states in the Shell Valley manual that the seal is to be driven into the axle housing with a seal driver, then the axle shaft (with bearing and retainer pressed on) slides into the housing...However, if you're using the SVO brakes, the brake drum backing plate goes on first....the axle slides in, then the little retaining plate bolts on.

It really shocked my Dad and I both...but that's the way it worked. Seal drives into the housing....I didn't have to put it on the axle shaft itself.

I do have the 9" rearend also...


Red...are you sure it's rearend grease and not like brake fluid or something?

If it is rearend grease, you can pull the axle and see if there is a seal in the housing. If it's like my Shell Valley, you won't find one on the shaft. Unbolt the four bolts, and pull the axle shaft out. You'll probably have to use a slide hammer, because that bearing is pretty much a press fit into the housing. The axle seal is probably about 4-5" inside...if there is one in there, I'd suspect it's put in crooked...If there's no one there, it's no big deal to buy one and drive it in.

If you wish, I've documented each step of my build so far with pics...I can send you a pic of where the seal sits.