I am getting ready to replace my axles, you know researching the job, ordering parts etc. Do I really need the transmission seal protectors when installing the new axles. An if so, has anybody got 1 or 2 left from a 10 pack for sale. It seems pretty expensive to buy 10 for $30 when I will never use another one in this life.

 

I guess whether you need the seal protectors is dependent on if you have help doing the job. If you have assistance so you can be under the vehicle carefully and slowly guiding the inner half shaft splines into the transmission, you probably can get away without the seal protectors.

Now if you're doing the job solo and aren't blessed with a third arm, spending the $30 for the J-44394-A seal protectors might be a good investment. They are a simple enough thing when you see them, but they do take the worry out of cutting a seal with the splines off the table.

One trick I've used in the past with success is to wrap a strip of paper around the splines in a spiral fashion so that you have a loose end facing the inner CV joint. Once the splines are safely past the seal, slowly pull on the paper strip and it unravels leaving nothing behind to get lost in the transmission. This was taught to me by an old flat rate tech many years ago, I don't recommend trying it without lots of practice.

 

Unfortunately, I only have a "short arm" extra. (that's a navy reference, for those too young).

They only sell the darn things in 10 packs, in my case a lifetime supply, and a new seal is only $4.50. I do vaguely recall getting 1 when I did a clutch on a Toyota p/u many years ago.

 

I replaced both axles, it turns out that the seal protectors are not needed.

 

Filed away for future reference.