I've read a few posts about a similiar issue, but I didn't see any detailed answer on how it was resolved. In my case its the drivers side inner/outer seal. I saw fluid coming out of one of the lug nut holes and once I took the rim off, a decent amount poured onto the floor.

The FSM makes it look like you just remove the axle/brake as an assembly, remove and replace the seal, replace axle assembly. A couple of the threads I saw mentioned an inner and outer seal which need to be replaced. I'm not certain if the FSM procedure covers both or just the outer.

Is it really that simple? Do I need to take the assembly to a shop to have the bearings removed/replaced to get both seals done?

Drain diff fluid, jack up the side you are working on, remove wheel, undo the brake line from the drum, remove the parking brake cable(I would remove the cable from the little T mechanism up in the front and all the mounts and pull the whole thing with the axle shaft) , remove the four bolts that hold the drum to the axle housing, slide the axle straight out. Pull the seal , clean everything up, install new seal. This seal is the one that is right there in your face in the axle housing not on the shaft. I cant remember where the inner seal is. Put the axle straight back in, dont let it rub or rest on the new seal and button it all back up and bleed the brakes. Do all four just so you have new fluid in the whole system. Refill the diff with new fluid. I would assume a newbie could be done in a long afternoon. There are no clips in the diff or anything. Triple insano check that you torqued the four bolts that hold the axle the the housing back down. I am going from memory but I am pretty sure you dont have to take anything apart in the drums if you take the parking brake cable apart up front. That bearing is a total [censored] to get replaced. It has the crazy pressed on thingy that has to be cut off. I wouldnt worry about the bearing unless its making noise. If it is take it to a good driveline shop and let them take care of it.
John

Keep in mind a bent axle/ twisted splines will cause this as well. When jacked up spin the wheel and make sure nothing is bent.

So the idea is to check for obvious damage and replace only that seal? Although I haven't priced anything yet, I'm guessing it wouldn't take too long to approach the cost of a used Sport axle w/locker if I were to get labor involved with this deal.

Do it yourself, I think you need a 17 or 19mm wrench and something like a 10mm to undo the brake line and 5 hours. The seal is something like 6 bucks. If you can install a used sport axle you can change this seal.

Sounds simple enough, guess I have a decent Saturday project <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Don't assume your local auto parts has the seal in stock. Don't start until the seal is in hand. And also factor in the 13 trips to the parts store, 8 to home depot and two to the fast food joint just to get all that extra crap you forgot you needed to finish.