rear axle seal replacement
 

when replacing the rear axle seal, does the new seal have to be packed with grease before reinstalling, Help!!

If you are only replacing the outside seal, there is no place to pack grease. Just remove the old seal, make sure the surface is clean and drive the new seal into place. Might as well do both sides while you have the axle drained - Synthetic lube is expensive. Don't forget the friction modifier if your year/model calls for it.

If you're talking about the cavity inside the seal you don't have to, but packing it with grease can help to keep the spring from getting knocked loose when you drive the seal in.

Seems to me it depends on the bearing, right? - Some you pack, others are sealed.

thanks for the help, installed the rear seal over the weekend, installed axle. all is working fine.