Leak coming from inside of rear wheel
- Thread starter Jobu
- Start date
OP
Checked the fluid level in the differential. Couldn’t feel any fluid. Even with an aftermarket cover I’m guessing I should be able to feel some fluid. Gonna fill it up and search for a local shop to ease my pain. And pocketbook.
Pull the rim and see what the brakes look like. If everything is clean and dry then you have time before its unsafe. Check that the axle flange is tight (it should be). I've seen a loose flange allow a bit of leakage. Tighten it all up and the leak stops. But this appears more of a 'seep' to me. Do you see any place on the tire where the fluid is getting the tire (or rim) moist?
Add some more diff fluid until you can at least touch the fluid level. Without a pic don't know how extra high the fill hole is. As long as you can continue to feel the fluid level and the brakes stay uncontaminated then it is more of an annoyance than an emergency.
Add some more diff fluid until you can at least touch the fluid level. Without a pic don't know how extra high the fill hole is. As long as you can continue to feel the fluid level and the brakes stay uncontaminated then it is more of an annoyance than an emergency.
OP
There is actually a decent amount of fluid on the tire, driveway and i can see where its been slung up on the wheel well. So it appears to me this is a bit more than "seepage". I may have used the wrong word earlier. I filled the diff until i could touch the fluid (then an extra squirt), about 3/4 quart and am taking it to a 4x4 shop today for diagnosis.
OP
Ok, had the axle seal replaced along with the bearings at a local 4x4 shop. Looked yesterday and got a nice puddle of gear lube under the tire again. Same place as before. Lube all over the inside of the tire. Question: What could cause the seal to fail again this quickly? Improper install? Just a bad seal? Something else more serious? What y'all got?
Are you sure it’s gear oil? Not brake fluid? If it‘s gear oil it‘s likely a bad install or the wrong seal. If the axle shaft were bent enough to cause a leak you would feel it when you drive. A competent shop would have checked the runout as well. They should also have checked that the seal surface is not scored.
I always used a little RTV around the outer rim of the seal just to make sure. Do you know if the shop did that?
I always used a little RTV around the outer rim of the seal just to make sure. Do you know if the shop did that?
Last edited:
Do you know what seal they used? Mine leaked with the left one and not with the right, which is substantially heavier and has ribs in the seal.
Sometimes a seal craps out. No fault of install. But only sometimes. As above, confirm it isn't brake fluid, then call the shop to have them take another look.
OP
I didn’t check the brake fluid but I will. With as much fluid as looks like has leaked out, if it was brake fluid I doubt I could stop!! Thx folks.
If you are loosing very much brake fluid you will see it in the reservoir, pedal will go too far dawn when you brake and the Indicator light will come on.
rouxbicon
TJ Enthusiast
A few years ago I had one leak badly immediately after seal replacement. Turned out that the shop nicked the axle shaft probably when cutting off the old bearing and retainer collar.
OP
Shop said the seal had seized up. Whatever that means. He didn’t see any issues with the axle but if it happened again, they would look closer for an underlying problem. So I guess I postponed draining my wallet after asking y’all which locker to go with!!
Never Grow Up
Member
Best comment of the month. Thanks for the laugh.Now that was just mean. The guy had COVID!
OP
Well hell. Now the other side of the rear axle is leaking. WTF??!!! Based on the other side already being replaced twice, what’s y’all’s prognosis??
OP
Yeah I’m sure it’s the seal. But with both leaking within a few months of each other...coincidence or signs of other troubles?
I’d expect similar life from each, so if they’ve never been touched before then it could make sense. I didn’t read the whole thread but did you make sure your axle breather isn’t clogged?
OP
I haven’t. But I would think the shop I took it to previous would have done that. And not sure I would know how to check it other than just visually?? Yeah, I’m real new to this.