. . . and if you have any questions about any of that stuff: soup to nuts with building, just holler.

You guys are both sweethearts and I am looking forward to doing this. I'm a little bit of a coward when it comes to this stuff. I start, get scared, close it up, read, ask a million questions, start again . . . go a little farther . . . that's just the way I am. If you need a wall repaired I can...

Bless your heart jw. I reckon once I've done this once or twice pulling the gears out of my front differential and reinstalling them would be as easy as 'pulling them and throwing them back in', but I've never in my life been as close to those gears as I was last night and my manual doesn't even...

That's what I'm thinking for now. And, yup, with the hubs on 'Free.'

MG, This is where I'm at now. I opened the differential and looked inside. I think I can do it too, but not now. I need to have my truck working for me. So I've started looking for a back up truck. When I get that I'll pull this guy apart without being under the gun. Here's the question: If I...

New Plan: I decided to open the differential and have a look first. I did and it seems like more than I can handle right now. I've never messed with these gears before and I need more time to get clear what I would do in there, so this is what I'm thinking. Putting the plate back on, putting...

Okay MG, that was my feeling too, after I slept on it. I'm going to try and drive it about 10 miles to where I live and work on it here. I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, Holtz, I'm going to give it a shot. I'm planning on bringing my truck down from where it's been sitting so that I can work at it where I live. I'll let you know how it goes.

Holtz has helped me understand the situation I'm facing: Replacing the oil seal around the axle spindle inside the front differential of my 78 4wd F150. I just replace the ball joints myself, a big job for me. I'm a carpenter and I work on my truck because every time I bring it to a mechanic I...

I can feel the pleasure you must have had doing all of this Holtzman. I can, I can sense it from here . . .

Okay, I'm almost there. On your drawing you're replacing the seal on the passenger side of the differential. The rod is coming in from the driver's side. If there was a seal already in the driver's side you would have to pass the rod through it, put the seal on in the differential housing and...

Holtz, That's beautiful. You've probably had situations like this . . . when you're in the dark and then you get the information you need. It's like a lighthouse. I really appreciate you doing all that. I'm guessing I'll be able to see exactly how the other seal is seated, the one on the...

Holtz. I want to hear about THAT! Can you tell me what to do? I'm figuring I take off the dif's face plate and drain the oil. then, though I wish wish wish I didn't have to I'm guessing I have to pull the spline back out and somehow replace that damaged seal that is holding the gear oil within...

Father Doug, I so wish it was. I fear there is a seal at the differential itself and that the end of the spindle, when pushed back in, disturbed that seal. I think the spindle bore seal is more of a dust seal. The inside of the axle housing was dry when I pulled the spindle out and then started...

While reinstalling the front axle spindle of my 4wd F150 after replacing the ball joints I noticed an oil leak from the axle shaft itself. Apparently a seal in the differential was damaged. I've been looking for information on this seal and how to repair it but no luck so far . . . Any suggestions?