How much of a job is it to replace the left rear axle seal on the carrier, can I just replace the seal or do I have to replace the bearing too? Oh, it's a 97 vanden plas if that makes a difference. Thanks.

 

I am a tad confused, normal state of mind.

Are you referring to the seal at the diff output shaft, or the seal in the outer hub.

The output shaft at the diff usually requires the bearings and a spacer sleeve (shrink fit) to be replaced.

The inner seal at the hub should be able to be dug out once the driveshaft and ABS sensor ring is removed??. The outer seal will require the hub to be dismantled, much like the earlier "inboard brake" cars.

I have not done this on the X300 so I am going purely from the parts book and my earlier car experience.

 

I'm talking about the seal at the differential. Is the bearing and retainer pressed on?

 

Yes.

 

The bearing can be saved if it is protected while you cut/drill/split the retaining collar.

The bearing is a deep groove ball bearing type. It can be reused if it has little to no play in it.

The cost of the bearing might not be worth it in relation to the cost of the labor and retaining collar if it fails soon after the stub axle is reinstalled.

It is a judgement call.

bob gauff

 

Thanks everyone, If I have to remove the bearing and retainer I might as well replace with new. Is this something I can do in my garage do I need a hydraulic press?

 

Does anyone have a part number for the rear diff output shaft bearing,seal,retainer when a do a parts search on rockauto it brings up a tapered bearing and race. Pretty sure thats not the right bearing or am I wrong.

 

Does this look better?
Output Shaft Bearing - Motorcars LTD

 

That looks to be the one, guess I should get the bearing & seal kit.
Thanks

 

Thanks for the info guys, meet same problem here, where can i get the right type of ball bearing?

 

I got mine from Jaguar Parts | Land Rover Parts | Jaguar Parts & Land Rover Parts Catalog , kit with bearing, seal, retainer and Oring was around $80.00 to w/ shipping.

 

Anyone got a procedure for this? I am horrible at getting what I need out of the "search" here. -Thanks

 

It's pretty straightforward though you will need a hydraulic press to get the retainer and bearing off. The process goes like this.

1. undo the 4 nuts that hold the the halfshaft to the diff output shaft and lower the halfshaft out of the way.

2. Undo the 5 torx head bolts that secure the diff output shaft to the diff and withdraw the output shaft. Be careful to look out for and retain the shim as it may fall out.

3. Use a drill to drill small holes almost ll the way through the retaining collar. About 4 3mm diameter holes evenly spaced should do the trick. Be sure NOT to drill through to the shaft.

4. Use a cold chisel placed between the drilled holes to give the collar a few good whacks. This will weaken the collar and allow it to be pressed off.

5. Mount the shaft on the press and press off the collar and bearing. Be careful not to bend the ears of the retaining plate.

6. Once the bearing and collar are removed you can then remove the seal.

7. Clean all surfaces carefully and then reassemble in the reverse order of disassembly. It will be helpful to put the collar and bearing in the freezer for an hour or so and the shaft in a 150F oven before pressing. This will make it a lot easier to press them on.

8. Then do the same to the other side.

As Bob mentions above you could reuse the bearing if it is ok but I always worry about getting some debris lodged in the bearing when I am drilling holes in the collar so I replace both.

If you don't already have the service manual, you can download it for free form the sticky section in this forum. There is a step by step instruction on performing this procedure.

 

Below are links to photos I took of the process of replacing the differential output shaft bearings and collars on our '93 XJ40. I believe the process is virtually identical on the X300. Bob is no doubt correct that the bearing could probably be reused, but since the bearings are inexpensive stock parts from Timken or SKF it would be a false economy not to replace them, IMHO. Replacing the output shaft bearings requires a hydraulic press, but many automotive machine shops can do the pressing for you and you can do everything else and save a lot of money.

I don't think my photos show how to remove the output shafts, but that is clearly described in the Haynes XJ40 manual.

You don't have to replace the wheel bearings but I'm including photos of that process too just in case they are helpful.

Cheers,

Don

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Another great thread.
Thanks Snowball