Output seal leaking

[rpiereck]

I found a few vestiges of oil leaking from my car on my parking spot this morning, seems like a few drops on the pavement. I checked underneath the car and it seems I am leaking oil from the right side output seal. I assume that's transmission fluid leaking, right? How intensive is it to replace that seal? Something that can be done in a small garage with home tools, etc... how much is involved getting this thing fixed?

[Shazam]

I've heard the differential bushing typically wear out first, causing vibrations which wear the output seal. So might want to check those too.

To replace the seal, it basically entails jacking up the car, removing tire, hub nut, and separating the lower ball joint. How easy that is depends on how rusty that stuff is. Ball joint will probably give you the most trouble (did when I took my front suspension apart last week), and to make it loads easier disconnect the swaybar endlink. Mine were rusted and snapped as I went to loosen them, so if they look rusty, have extras on hand. Take out the axle shaft (cover the ends). Seal (or is it the seal plate?) + bushing should now be in view and accessible.

The only tools I can think of that are a bit uncommon are:
Breaker bar + socket for hub nut (24mm I think?)
Ball joint separator
Seal + bushing driver (never used one myself...)