2001 grand vitara 4x4 v6 bone stock.

heard some squeaking lately when just about stopped and I know I did the front brakes just a few weeks ago.  pulled the front wheels off and all good.  pulled back wheels to check and both axle seals are leaking...the one on the right side so bad that there's a layer of crud on the shoe itself and on the inner drum surface...not good.

got the axle pulled out but cant get to the axle seal as the bearing is in the way.  I dont have a tall sitting press but I do have a monster of a bench vice.  what have others used to press the bearing off/on??

I'm trying to formulate ideas here.

Here is a video describing the replacement of the rear wheel bearings on a '96 Sidekick Sport.

http://www.acksfaq.com/rear_axle_bearing_replacement.htm

The process is good for Samurais and Gen1 TracKicks (possibly newer Trackicks too!)

You have to cut off the pressed-on sleeve, then press on a replacement.  I had a transmission shop press mine on.

I hope that this helps!

ok, I'm blind I guess.

the seal is actually located inside the drum backing plate...just grabbed the old ones with a flatblade and ripped them out and tapped in the new ones.

however, what keeps the oil/grease from leaking outside the retainer plate into the drum brake area?  the retainer plate is the plate with 4 studs that holds the axle to the differential housing.  I looked up inside it with a flashlight and there's no seal at all in there...

the plate with the 4 stud is to hold the axle in place but its also a dust shield. inside there like a foam o ring just so the water and dust dont go in. You almost never replace that.

There's an inner & outer seal...my left rear was leaking, replacing the inner seal did the job, although I used RTV around the old outer seal when reassembling, too.  Replacing the outer seal requires removing & reinstalling the bearing on the axle helf-shaft, which requires a hydraulic press.  My two cents...