Axle Seal Leak

[that_tj_tina]

I did some trail driving yesterday and this morning noticed I had a leak by my rear driver tire. Looks like a broken axle seal and has that horrible smell of differential fluid. Thought it would be smart to get a second opinion.

If it was the axle seal, would the only two things I would need be an axle seal and bearing? If I have a 2000 Sahara, do I have a Dana 35 in the rear?

Also, would it be wise to do the passenger side as well while I'm at it?

New Jeep owner so any tips would be great!

 

[SvtLdr]

I wouldn't get too concerned just yet. Your best bet is to keep an eye on it and monitor it to see if if gets any worse. There's a chance it won't worsen and might even stop seeping like that. Our TJ's are known to have leaks like that that come and go. You'd likely only need a new seal, the axle shaft should be fine. Post a pic of the differential cover (center section) of the axle and we can help you identify whether you have the Dana 35 or Dana 44. Yes, if your going thru the trouble of replacing one side, I'd recommend doing the other side as well.

 

[SvtLdr]

Sorry, I mis-read your question, you were asking about the bearing - not the shaft. There's a chance the bearing needs replacing but you won't really know until you get the axle shaft (and old seal) out of the way. At that point you can get a better look at the bearing. Good luck, let us know if you need any more advice.

 

[03sahara]

It looks like you have drum brakes you could also check to see if it’s not a wheel cylinder leaking.

 

[SvtLdr]

I wondered that also, but the OP mentioned "horrible smell". I'm thinking they know the difference between gear oil and brake fluid...

 

[03sahara]

I kinda like the smell of gear oil and brake fluid stinks a bit as well. It does looks pretty black what’s coming out not sure if it’s a mix of brake dust or black gear oil.

 

[that_tj_tina]

I'm willing to bet its differential oil. After changing the differential fluid a few months ago, I'll never forget that smell :/ But I'll pull the wheel and drum off in a little bit and see if it is the cylinder.

Here are two pictures I have on hand of the rear differential cover. Let me know if I should take some new ones or not.

 

[SvtLdr]

My instinct says that if that was brake fluid leaking, you'd know about it in a hurry. How do your brakes feel? Soft (non-existent) pedal feel at all?

 

[SvtLdr]

I'm afraid those pics aren't much help... I know it's kinda tough to do without jacking up the rear of the Jeep and letting the axle droop out. Ok, new plan. Give us a description of the plug that goes thru the differential cover. The piece you had to remove in order to re-fill the diff. after your fluid change. If it was plastic and just snapped into place = Dana 35. If it was threaded and required a wrench = Dana 44.

 

[SvtLdr]

I'm betting on Dana 35...

 

[03sahara]

Looks like a Dana 44 I just changed my bearings and seals you need a press to change the seals as they are right at the hub so you have to remove the bearings to change it. I bought a kit on eBay for 98$ http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=232724206303 This kit is for drum brakes.

 

[jesseshoots]

It looks just like a leaking axle seal. Judging by the PN stamped in the diff cover you have a Dana 44 in the rear.

Like @03sahara said, you will need to cut off the wheel bearing and set collar to remove the leaking seal. Just did mine a few weekends ago. This write-up is very helpful. I'd monitor the leak and see if it gets any better before replacing. It can sometimes leak out if your vent tube is clogged. There is no need to do the other side if it's not leaking. The only time you would save would be the time spent putting the axle on jack stands.

I bought my parts (bearing and seal) from Rock Auto for cheaper than anywhere else. Get a Timken 9912S seal and SET10 bearing. The bearing will come with the set collar.

You can reuse the retainer plate if it looks to be in good shape.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

you will need:
New bearing,
New bearing stop, goes on the axel to hold the bearing in place.
New seal
New bearing retainer plate, this will pre-load the new bearing and seal.
You will need to cut off the old bearing stop and maybe the old bearing. Pull every thing off the axel shaft, Clean up the shaft, then re-assemble as follows
Install new bearing retainer with the raised edge pointing toward the new seal.
install the new seal
install the new bearing
then press on the bearing stop until it's up against the step in the axel shaft.
The when you re-assemble into the axel housing, it will all slide in and then install the 4 bolts and tighten in a pattern so as not to distort it. Tighten all the way. This last step is pre-loading the bearing and seal.
your done. You tube is your friend on this, check it out.

 

[that_tj_tina]

Thank you! Everything said was extremely helpful. I'll monitor it over the next couple days. I assume it wouldn't be wise to hit up any trails in the mean time...

Also, should I top off my differential fluid to make sure it doesn't run dry?

 

[Fonz54]

What would determine if the retainer plate needed to be replaced? Just asking because I am in the process of rebuilding a Dana 44 I bought.

 

[SvtLdr]

DEFINITELY keep an eye on the fluid level.

 

[hosejockey61]

What would determine if the retainer plate needed to be replaced? Just asking because I am in the process of rebuilding a Dana 44 I bought.

If it was overtightened and bent. Otherwise it should be good to go. The axle retaining nuts should be torqued to 45 ft./lbs

 

[hosejockey61]

Thank you! Everything said was extremely helpful. I'll monitor it over the next couple days. I assume it wouldn't be wise to hit up any trails in the mean time...

Also, should I top off my differential fluid to make sure it doesn't run dry?

That leak wouldn't keep me from the trails at all. It's minor.

 

[hosejockey61]

I did some trail driving yesterday and this morning noticed I had a leak by my rear driver tire. Looks like a broken axle seal and has that horrible smell of differential fluid. Thought it would be smart to get a second opinion.

If it was the axle seal, would the only two things I would need be an axle seal and bearing? If I have a 2000 Sahara, do I have a Dana 35 in the rear?

Also, would it be wise to do the passenger side as well while I'm at it?

New Jeep owner so any tips would be great!

It appears to be a Dana 44. I would do both sides but that's just me. No biggie either way.

You can't just replace the seal as it is behind the bearing and bearing retainer. In other words, you need a new seal, bearing w/race, and a bearing retainer. You can still use the axle retainer as long as it's not bent. The four stover axle retaining nuts are supposed to be one time use but people reuse them all the time.

 

[Vinman]

First thing to check is the axle vent hose end cap located by the gas filler neck. If it gets plugged it is not uncommon to force fluid out through the axle or pinion seal.
My current jeep had the vent cap plug up with mud and it caused the pinion seal to leak bad enough it was dripping from the bottom of the centre section, way beyond sweating a bit. I cleared the mud from the cap and the leak stopped 100%.
I’ve also had Dana 44 leak a bit from the axle seal area and it turned out the 4 nuts that retain the axle just needed retightening . Just a couple of things to check before pulling the axles