Helo all: I noticed drips in the driveway and looked underneath only to find the driver side axle seal is leaking from where the axle goes into the gearbox. My car is 1996 Celica Hatchback ST. 7AFE engine. Is this something that can be done at home? I have never replace the axle before. Any help or link to someone who has done it here would be nice. I do have the factory Service manual.

Thank You in Advance.
msk

remove all the suspension preventing the axle from getting loose, then pull axle. Theres a bunch of threads on it, i'm sure there was a sticky related.

Thanks trdproven. The problem is that most of those links discuss GT cars which has slightly different axle and gearbox. Overall procedure is straight forward, but I read the axle does not come out easy. I will talk to Advance Auto to see what type of axle puller they can rent.

Now searching for the part number for the driver side axle seal.

it's not too bad but the right tool definitely helps. I did it myself with some air tools and pry bars.
you can rent a slide hammer from most auto parts stores as well.

Thanks Cheela. I think the axle nut would be tough but overall does not sound too bad. If I can get the OEM seal ordered then I will tackle it during the holidays.

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The axle nut isn't that difficult. When I did mine I used a 24" breaker bar, and then ended up putting a 6 foot long metal bar over top of that for more leverage and less effort. It broke free relatively easy. The hardest part was finding the correct socket size, I believe its a 32mm.

Thank You. Got the parts ordered. I think I have both 32 and 30mm sockets and a 24 inch breaker bar. The axle was replaced by a shop in Topeka when the boot ripped but apparently they did not change the seal so it leaks.

OK I got it done last night. The dealer gave me the wrong seal so had to get one from Autozone. Pulling the axle out took about 15 minutes of struggle but came out eventually. Breaker bar helped with axle nut. I bought seal puller from harbor Freight and it worked like a charm. So Car is back on the road, no leaks so far fingers crossed. the seal was in pretty bad shape.
I want to thank all of you who helped me guide through the process.
MSK

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Thats what we're here for!

nice! glad you got it figured out.

nice