I have a leak on the axle, it was there when I bought her. My question is do I need anything else other than the seal that I was given with the car as if I read posts correctly doesnt the bearing need to be replaced when changing this?
Is it a difficult job for someone with reasonabe skills?

 

Please identify the car or axle in question so we can be sure that we're on the correct patient.

 

Like Ozzie said we need more info but if the seals are for the '69 442 on your avatar they may be correct for a type "O" rear,built in the US, but if your car was built in Canada it will have a Chevy 12 bolt in it & they take different seals plus you'll have to take the diff cover off to get the "C" clips out to remove the axles. Olds rears don't have C clips, you take off the 4 nuts behind the hub & the axle slides out(you'll probably need a slap-hammer tool to get them out) If it is an O type rear '69 was the last year they used a sealed ball bearing for the axle, make sure they're spin smoothly & aren't sloppy. My '68 442 seals leaked also & since I had the axles out I replaced the bearings too for peace of mind. You'll have to have the bearing pressed off & on for the Olds rear. Your cowl tag under the hood will have "Made in Canada" across the top it's an Oshawa, Ontario car.

 

Ok that is a sealed bearing axle seal ... It is the type that gets pressed into the housing flange end and your axle shaft will slide through the center of the seal doughnut hole.
YOU DO NOT NEED to replace the AXLE BEARING ON THIS type of rear differential UNLESS your bearing is bad.
THE oiled beaRING axle where the axle seal is on the axle shaft and then the bearing is pressed on after the seal goes on the axles is the one where you have to do both .

So hope that helps
1964-1969 are usually all sealed bearing system and your seal will fit those housing rears.
The 1970 - 1976 BOP rears will have the oiled bearing and your seal is not correct for them.

Hope this helps.
Jim
JD Race

 

I know its a 10 bolt posi but other than I have no idea to be honest

 

Post some pictures of the center section from the sides and front and someone will be able to ID the rear for you.

 

Do any of these help?

 

I am not certain, but I think that is a Pontiac 8.2 inch 10 bolt. Hopefully someone who knows a bit more about rearends can verify that. If it is, then you have the correct seal per Jim's earlier post.

 

Thanks for the info, I think I may order a bearing as well and replace while the shaft is out. Is this a good relaible diff ?? Not that I want to replace it at the moment, just thinking ahead a little really.

 

Reliable? Well it has worked for the past 50+ years, so I would put it into the yes column.

 

The casting is a 1965 Pontiac rear
10 bolt 8.2
It is the early NARROWER housing 54.25 wide or 60" over all
So it is NOT an original rear.
The cover is also wrong ...That cover is for a 1971-1977 GM 8.5 or 8.2 chevy... Some one probably redrilled the cover a bit to fit.
YOU want to buy a BOP early 1964-1970 cover for Buick Olds or Pontiac with the scalloped cut outs at 9 and 3 o clock example picture for you.

The rear is a good rear and you should not have any trouble finding parts for the rear if you need to fix or upgrade.
The seal you have will fit this rear also.
Jim Mitschke
JD Race

 

Thank you very much for this information Jim, the knowledge on this forum astounds me!