Hello all,
Long-term reader first-time poster.
I have never had leaks around the differential covers when changing the diff fluid on my 2005 LJ.
I feel like I do it by the book, razor blade & wire brush off the old RTV, then bead new RTV around the pan n leave for 24 hours before refilling.
Anyways,
Two weeks ago I changed the front inner axle seals. This fixed the leak dripping out the axle ends on the knuckle, though now I have a slight collection of fluid dripping off the bottom of the diff cover. The cover was on there pretty tight from a lot of RTV the last time I changed the fluid. I wonder if I subconsciously put too little on the pan this most recent time and this is why it's leaking?
After noticing the leak I read on here that I shouldn't fill the diff to the fill hole so I sucked a little out last week & cleaned everything but it is still leaking a bit from somewhere.
I'm most likely going to just reseal again this weekend with more black RTV but curious if anyone has any thoughts.
One weird thing I'm curious if it has to do with anything.
If you look in the images below, all the bolt heads have numbers stamped & a ridge on them except the one I put on the bottom bolt hole. this one is smooth. just curious if that is my issue.
Also, I'm pretty certain this is diff fluid. way too clean for engine oil & don't see any coolant leaks.
Long-term reader first-time poster.
I have never had leaks around the differential covers when changing the diff fluid on my 2005 LJ.
I feel like I do it by the book, razor blade & wire brush off the old RTV, then bead new RTV around the pan n leave for 24 hours before refilling.
Anyways,
Two weeks ago I changed the front inner axle seals. This fixed the leak dripping out the axle ends on the knuckle, though now I have a slight collection of fluid dripping off the bottom of the diff cover. The cover was on there pretty tight from a lot of RTV the last time I changed the fluid. I wonder if I subconsciously put too little on the pan this most recent time and this is why it's leaking?
After noticing the leak I read on here that I shouldn't fill the diff to the fill hole so I sucked a little out last week & cleaned everything but it is still leaking a bit from somewhere.
I'm most likely going to just reseal again this weekend with more black RTV but curious if anyone has any thoughts.
One weird thing I'm curious if it has to do with anything.
If you look in the images below, all the bolt heads have numbers stamped & a ridge on them except the one I put on the bottom bolt hole. this one is smooth. just curious if that is my issue.
Also, I'm pretty certain this is diff fluid. way too clean for engine oil & don't see any coolant leaks.