Hahaha, anytime. I'm no professional, yet I've pulled those hubs at least 7 times between my current and previous Jeep. (Hub bearings, ball joints, u-joints, etc). It's really a pretty easy job.

I'm about halfway done with the leaf springs. Being in the Northeast, the rust is the real difficulty. I also didn't realize how much effort it was going to be to put the take-off JK shocks in. The fronts didn't have the bar pin so I had to take the old sleeve bushing out and put the bar pin in. I had to do the lower bushing on one of the rears (and maybe will have to do the other) since the old bushing is frozen on the mounting bolt and possibly welded in (the joys of previous owners... lol). The removing the sleeve bushings proved to be the challenge. However folks gush over these JK take-offs, so hopefully it's worth the effort. I probably shouldn't complain that the bushings are practically brand new and tough.

As far as extra "stuff" when installing the axle seals - I'll probably just put the new seals in when I get to it. I haven't checked up on the replacement procedure, so we'll see. There may be recommendation, but as I've never done the seals before I don't know.

Make sure your son is completely involved in doing the job with you. The experience will be very good for him - the design is pretty much the same for all the XJ's and most if not all Wranglers, so even when the XJ is gone if he ever gets another Jeep....

 

I was thinking of making an installation tool. Maybe just a piece of threaded rod and nuts and washers? I can’t afford $90 plus for one of the tools.

 

A lot of folks have trouble with the homemade tool. A recent post described using a socket and extensions (since threaded rod can hang up on the seal lip and tear it) and going through the first installed seal to hammer the second or using 3/4" PVC pipe (again to avoid sharp things contacting the seal).
After work tonight I'm going to see if I can get a socket to fit correctly on the seal rim and then maybe bring one of the new seals to Home Depot to see about PVC pipe.

 

 

 

I should have clarified. I meant one of the tools that press both seals in from inside the diff housing.

 

Is this a commonly available legit tool?
It seems to me (not having done the axle seals, but reading a lot about it) is that the "proper" tool (like the Jeep dealers would have) is expensive and hard to get and the typical seal installers don't work since you've got two opposing areas and limited room in the middle - hence folks use everything from threaded rod to pvc pipe to broom handles to get even force on the new seal when pressing it into place.
If there's a reasonably priced and available tool that works, please point me to it since I'm probably going to do mine this weekend if things go well with time/scheduling.