In a message dated 01/03/2004 3:37:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
<<<<<<<I remembered you had asked about changing the  stub axle seal in the
transaxle a few days ago.  I just changed those  seals today when I did the
clutch.

You'll need to get the stub axle  seal and a stub axle cap for each side.
The cap is ruined when you remove  it.

So I just popped a hole in the middle of the stub axle cap with  a
screwdriver.  Then I pried it out revealing a circlip  underneath.  There
is also a spring washer underneath the circlip that  needs to go back in
the same way it came out.  I removed the circlip and  used two small pry
bars to remove the stub axle.  Bentley shows you need  a puller tool but it
was easy to remove.

Then remove the two Phillips  screws on either side of the hole.  These
hold on a plastic piece that  locks the differential adjusting ring in
place.  Remove the plastic  piece and there is the seal.  Get the seal out
of there (it was really  in there on mine) and tap in a new seal.

Reassemble the parts, making  sure that the plastic piece goes back in the
exac same spot - do not turn  it.  When it came time to replace the
circlip I used a socket slightly  bigger than the splined shaft and tapped
it on the end.  This pressed  the circlip down into the groove on  the
shaft.>>>>>>>>

This advice is perfect,  EXCEPT for one small detail.  There is an O-ring on
the differential  adjusting ring that should be changed also while your there.
 If this  O-ring is also leaking, and I've seen it so a few times, you will
be sad to see  oil still dripping out after you went to all the trouble to
change the  seal.  To remove the differential adjusting ring you will need the
special  tool or make one, which is what I did from flat piece of 1/4"metal plate
and  ground the notches to fit then welded an old socket to the centre large
enough  that it will fit over the shaft.  You must mark the position of this
ring  BEFORE removing it.  If you do not get it back in the same position you
will screw up the ring and pinion adjustment.  Just thought I'd throw this
out there to make the job more fun !

Cheers,

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario,  Canada
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13,  2004
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC  & CCVWC
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli &  Associates or http://frankcondelli.com