Hi all,
First post here.

I have an 02 Kodiak 4X4 with swing arm rear suspension. I have a fluid leak from the diff housing but I can't see from where with my skid on.

Anyway I have the parts breakdown for the diff in front of me and it looks like it's probably going to be the O ring by the ring gear that's leaking. I'm going to just order all the seals and o rings for the rear diff and replace them all.

I just need to find out how to get the axle shaft out. It looks like of I pull the wheels brake and both hubs the axle will come out but how? Will it just pull out 1 side or Do I need to hit it out? Which side does it come out of left or right?

Thanks for any help!!
Mike D.

Here's a pic of my machine:

 

The axle just pulls out, once you take the flange and brake disc off the left side, just grab the axle on the right hand side (facing toward the front of the machine) and pull it out. I just replaced my rear axle on my '03. I did not go so far as you have to since I didn't have to split the cases. Thankfully I didn't have to mess with the internals since the ring gear runs on it's own bearings separate from the axle bearings. It seems funny that that big o-ring would go first, it's not like it's a wear part like the input shaft seal etc.

When you are putting it back together there is an o-ring that goes on the brake side of the axle just outside of the seal, be very careful to make sure o-ring is in all the way before you put the brake disk on or you will damage the o-ring. Also, you need to use lithium soap based grease (not to be confused with white lithium grease) on everything (seals/bearings/splines). You should be able to pick it up at NAPA, it will say 'lithium soap based' on the back of the tube. The wheel flange castle nuts go torqued to 110 ft/lb.

 

Thanks man!!!
I'm not sure it's the o ring or not. I havent jacked it up or removed the skid yet. I can see fluid running down from the side using a mirror. The skid blocks the view. Hopefully the housing isn't cracked or anything.

Thanks again!!
Mike D.