Rear end lube leaking at brake drum

<letterman RemoveThis @invalid.com> wrote in message
news:ij1vf4te2c1gu15q58d9m5ogi9r13mjhlo@4ax.com...
> 1990 F150. 4wd Pickup.
> I have rear end lube leaking at one of the brake drums.
> How do I replace these seals? Do I need to open the rear end
> (pumpkin)? Or is this just a matter of removing the bolts inside the
> brake drum and pulling the axles? I'm asking because if I have to
> open the rearend, I will likely let my mechanic do the job. Otherwise
> I'll tackle it myself.
>
> Thanks
>
> LM

I don't know about the need to open the diff, or not. But, opening the diff
is a non-issue if you have any thoughts that you are capable of doing this
work.

The axle shaft(s) can come out without upsetting the critical setting of the
gear faces of the R&P gears. It (the axle shaft) will have some sort of
keeper that holds it into the carrier, and the ring gear is mounted to the
outside of the carrier. You have to get the axles out before you can get the
carrier out. This means that taking the axles out will allow the carrier to
remain in place, which means the ring and pinion settings will not be
disturbed.