ok ,im back thanks for the previous help ,,,i now have both axles out and on my work bench ,there was no play or movement on the rear axle after i removed the wheels... bearings seem to be fine,but there was not much grease around the bearings but they have been in for 38 years,so im thinking of driving the nut off with chisel and hammer and reuse the nut with some very strong lock tite ,so if i do get the nut off and pull the axle apart from the outer housing will i then be able to replace the outer seal with out any more parts such as bearing race TKS for your help