Axle Seal Leak

[MutantNinjaTJ]

If it was overtightened and bent. Otherwise it should be good to go

They distort as part of the bearing per-load, mine weren't replaced when they did the gears and I have a bit of in-out play telling me the bearings are not pre-loaded correctly, I'm saving my pennies for axel up grades and will install new bearing retainer plates. They're only about $13 each, cheap insurance.
And your leak isn't too bad, I wouldn't worry about oil level, I would worry about oily brakes not working properly.

 

[that_tj_tina]

So I checked the vent tube and tightened the bearing plate but the axle is continuing to leak. I'm thinking about purchasing the parts today, but after watching several videos on YouTube and reading the write-up that @jesseshoots referred to, I'm seeing two different methods for changing the bearing and seal.

With one method, when the axle is pulled out, the bearing, seal, and bearing retainer ring are all attached to the axle and come out as well. This means you have to cut off the bearing retainer ring and bearing with a cutoff saw and then press the bearing, bearing seal, and bearing retainer ring onto the shaft using a hydraulic press before reinserting it into the axle tube.

With another method, the axle is removed with the bearing and bearing seal (I didn't see a bearing retainer ring anywhere) left behind in the axle tube to be removed using a slide hammer. The bearing and axle seal are then tapped into the end of the axle tube and the axle is slid into the tube.

I have seen both of these methods used and I'm not sure which my 2000 TJ needs.

Any thoughts?

 

[Flivver250]

Replace the bearings and seals on both sides. These leaks are inevitable. One shot, one kill. If you have a trac loc differential, good time to replace the clutches. I am told they only last about 50K.

 

[jesseshoots]

With one method, when the axle is pulled out, the bearing, seal, and bearing retainer ring are all attached to the axle and come out as well. This means you have to cut off the bearing retainer ring and bearing with a cutoff saw and then press the bearing, bearing seal, and bearing retainer ring onto the shaft using a hydraulic press before reinserting it into the axle tube.

This is the method you will use. The bearing, unless it wasn't pressed on the axle properly, will not come off unless cut off.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

and you probably saw them taking out the outer bearing race with the slide hammer, not the complete bearing and seal.

 

[SvtLdr]

With another method, the axle is removed with the bearing and bearing seal (I didn't see a bearing retainer ring anywhere) left behind in the axle tube to be removed using a slide hammer. The bearing and axle seal are then tapped into the end of the axle tube and the axle is slid into the tube.

This is the method for the Dana35 which is a different axle bearing setup.

 

[Vinman]

So I checked the vent tube and tightened the bearing plate but the axle is continuing to leak. I'm thinking about purchasing the parts today, but after watching several videos on YouTube and reading the write-up that @jesseshoots referred to, I'm seeing two different methods for changing the bearing and seal.

With one method, when the axle is pulled out, the bearing, seal, and bearing retainer ring are all attached to the axle and come out as well. This means you have to cut off the bearing retainer ring and bearing with a cutoff saw and then press the bearing, bearing seal, and bearing retainer ring onto the shaft using a hydraulic press before reinserting it into the axle tube.

With another method, the axle is removed with the bearing and bearing seal (I didn't see a bearing retainer ring anywhere) left behind in the axle tube to be removed using a slide hammer. The bearing and axle seal are then tapped into the end of the axle tube and the axle is slid into the tube.

I have seen both of these methods used and I'm not sure which my 2000 TJ needs.

Any thoughts?

Dana 44’s will have the bearing, seal and retainer come out with the axle shaft while Dana 35’s will leave the bearing and seal in the axle tube when the shaft is pulled.