I got a start on the rear end while I was waiting for parts for the front end. First I had to take the brakes apart then move onto removing the differential and axle housings. I drained the differential then got the bolts off around the differential housing (kept the bolts as I am going to re use them), and slid the torque tube and axle housings off to reveal the insides. I was happy to find that everything was in very good shape.
Getting the inner axle seals out was not an issue, but the torque tube seal was a pain. In order to get the seal out of the torque tube, you have to remove the shim in front of the seal. The best way to do that is to use a 1 1/16" socket (we used a 1" socket), and put it on your axle (we had an old extra one to use), then slide it in the torque tube with the front of the tube facing up, and you start to bounce it off a board (or ground). After a few bounces the seal and shim will come ut
I sandblasted and primed the torque tube and axle housings and decided to temporarily attach them to the differential housing (banjo) so that I could wire brush the banjo without worrying about getting anything inside. Next step is to take it all apart again, put in new gaskets and the new seals, then put it back together and paint and clear coat.
