Hello, all.

This is my first post. I am a new 1969 Firebird owner.

This is a two-part question/solicitation of ideas:

I bought the car with a blown rear axle seal. Gear oil seeping out pass. side brake drum.
I have the rear end apart to install new seals but this is the first non c-type (no c-clips) rear end I've worked on. It is strange to me to have a sealed bearing on the outside of the axle and the seal inboard of the bearing.
I cannot find any service information for this seal. I have found help with servicing the bearings but no help with replacing the inner seal.

With this style rear-end being phased out around 1970, I wonder if would be best to swap in a c-type rear-end and kick the existing one to the curb.

Thank you,
Lawrence F.

The Pontiac rear ends are a little different than the chev ones. Pretty easy to do.

YOU NEED THE FOLLOWING PARTS:
axle bearings (I would do both sides)
seals
gaskets

Remove brake drums, pads, springs etc.
Inspect brake parts (while there off why not replace brake parts If any gear oil gets on the pads you should
replace them.
remove 4 bolt/nuts that hold the axle plate in place
remove plate and remove axle (might have to tap/puller it out.)
remove/replace plate gasket
remove/replace seal
Take axle into shop to have the bearing pulled and new one installed
Install axle etc

If you are throwing it out I’ll take it. General consensus is non-C clip are superior to C-clip type all else being equal. I’ve only rebuilt one BOP rearend and bought an install kit with it that included necessary seals. I’ve had no leaks and no issues with it.

Thanks, all, for your help.

What are the advantages of the non Ctype rear ends? Everything I've read to this point suggests going aftermarket or swapping in 8.2" and 8.5" from Nova and Xbody clones.

I like the BOP rear. It’s nice to be able to remove axles without removing the diff cover. Also can take it in and out without opening brake lines by just letting the backing plates hang without disconnecting. Plenty strong for most applications.

easy to work on, the po of my car didn't know much of how to service the unit. He put bearing grease on the seal bearing for what I don't know.
The grease started to run inside the drum getting on the shoes. The plate that bolts the axle into the housing puts pressure on the outer race of the bearing
keeping it from spinning against the housing. Good idea when you have it apart to do a little more at that point to replace the normal wear items.