I do it just to be proactive & keep Mr Murphy at bay. Ramrod what I do is pull the axle out till the splines are maybe 2" on the inside of the seal & hold it horizontle without undue pressure from the weight resting on the seal then wrap a several inch wide piece of brown grocery sack around the axle & wrap it fairly tight then I shove the axle/paper in a bit just the right amt so there is some brown paper on the axle on either side of the seal then I relax the paper slightly & holding it (the paper) in that position I slide the axle out all the way so the splines never contact the seal. Only takes a minute but if Kunkel says it ain't needed then that is good enough for me!