I am attempting to replace a leaking seal where the rear driveshaft enters the rear differential. I cannot figure out how to remove the pictured companion flange which houses the pinion seal. Is there a special tool required... or can I fabricate a tool to remove this flange??
Any sage advice much appreciated! It's driving me nuts.

 

That is not a flange.The housing is one piece and the seal is just pressed in.

 

How would I go about removing it to access the seal? Is it threaded?

 

Your looking at the seal !!

just pry it out put another one in.

Making sure the pinon is not scored

 

Excellent, how do I remove it? Seems to be frozen in place.

 

They make a Tool to remove them .

Anything to just get behind it and pry it out

Being careful not to scratch or nick the pinon

Remember to put oil on the seal bearing surface before installing the flange

 

Ok.... I'll start researching the special tool. Was hoping I could improvise.

 

Ya can.

Put a big, long screwdriver in there any pry it out.

 

Thanks millball, I'll do everything I can without going too caveman on it. I watched a youtube vid of someone who drilled two holes in it and worked it out with pliers.

 

The old seal is junk, you can mutilate it to your hearts content.

 

I was afraid that the part I pictured was a "housing" for the seal, didn't wan to damage it. If that is indeed the entire seal, I'll rip it out without worry of wrecking it then.

 

I have been changing them so long I just use what ever is close at hand to pop them out

Then some people are the type that everything needs to only use the correct tool .

 

From your comments I am gathering that you don't have the new seal yet, otherwise you wouldn't be asking. I prefer to have the new seal to match up before I destroy the old one, at least get the number off of it (might need a magnifying glass).

 

I do have a new seal, just not sure if they gave me the correct seal (National brand, #1177). I'll know once I extract the old one. I have another vehicle and the parts store isn't too far away so it's not a huge issue either way.
I'll be back under it in about 1/2 hr.

 

Do not use a harbor freight screwdriver. Unless you like holes in the chin after using screw driver as a prying device. . They actually make a generic seal puller that will work....but again do not use harbor freight.

.

 

LOL... don't worry, I didn't use a HF screwdriver.
Just a quick follow-up to this thread since others may find it in the archives later.
I used a common seal-removal tool that was here in the shop and the seal came out in seconds without scoring the spline. I greased the new seal, installed it, refilled the diff, and have driven for a couple of hundred miles. Leak free and smooth as silk!
Thanks for the excellent advice here, very much appreciated. I have a tendency to overthink things sometimes.

 

For some further info...

Spent 6 months with this problem at one time. Took it apart about 6 times. Figured out the science eventually. To start the breather system needs to be clean. It will clogg up in the baffle, and even though the breather seems free, oil will blow out the seal. Every 10 years or so the axle needs a full clean out. Then there is the flange. Grooves are no good. I got a new one from low range off road. Works good. And finally the seal itself. Toyota brand only for this. Aftermarket ones seem fine but for me, always started leaking after 2-3 weeks. Finally after cleaning out the axle, replacing the flange with new, and installing a new Toyota brand seal my leak problems stopped. Been great the past 2 yrs.

 

Thank you, I will definitely keep an eye on it and report back if I have any problems. So far, so good.