Rear axle seals leaking

[dmtaurus]

I have an '06 TB LS with 4 wheel drive and 103,000 miles. I just did front and rear brakes and noticed a little fluid seepage from the rear axle seals on each side. I want to replace the seals but am not sure what axle is in it so that I can buy the correct parts. First, is there a code to look for in the glove box? Second, this looks like a straight forward job. Is there something that I should look for on the outer bearings and the axles for wear? I had to have the rear end rebuilt (new pinion bearings) about 3 years ago when it started humming loudly on a return trip from a vacation, even though it was full of fluid according to the dealer. GM did help pay with $300 when it, back then, had no warranty and about 75,000 miles.
Also, I never have had the front differential oil changed. Is this a hard job to do?

 

[gmcman]

Axle seals should be the same regardless of trim. When you pull the axles check the condition of the bearing running surface on the axles. If they are nice and smooth with no pitting you may as well change out the bearings while you're in there.

I don't know if the 06 has ABS sensors on each axle but if it does then maybe just go with the seals. I haven't seen a tool to pull the bearings and seal leaving the ABS reluctor wheel intact but it's a tight fit between the bearing and the ABS wheel and generally everything has to come out, generally destroying the ABS reluctor which just adds to the cost.

There maybe a tool but the pullers I have seen won't fit between the bearing and the reluctor....I could be wrong. If no ABS wheel then ignore that issue.

I like Timken but personally favor the GM bearing with the larger rollers. I think Timken has a 1-piece bearing and seal but with smaller rollers......dunno, the factory bearings are pretty tough so I stuck with them.

As far as the front diff, pretty easy but the fill plug can be very stubborn. 1/2" breaker bar worked for me but took some force. Just remove the fill plug first.

 

[dmtaurus]

It has ABS on the front; I remember it when I replaced the front wheel bearings and the struts. Would it also have ABS sensors on the back axle as well? Just by pulling the axles, will I run into having to deal with the ABS pick-up? I was thinking that after removing the pinion pin and the axle c-clips that the axles would just pull out.

 

[jsheahawk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Jbc3WXIFY

 

[gmcman]

Look at the axle tube behind the backing plate and see if there is a sensor in the axle tube. There is an ABS sensor I believe in the transfer case but some models have 4 wheel ABS with the sensors in the rear axle, specifically the SS models.

The axle will come out just the same, just the bearings would be the issue if there are reluctor wheels in there.