Clutch and rear main seal on 2.5 with 178,000 miles

[GCole]

Hi everyone, been lurking around here for the past 6 months or so after we picked up a 97 2.5L with a 5 speed with 172000 on the clock. This Jeep is basically stock all the way around and generally pretty sound. After going through and changing all the fluids (oil, trans, transfer case, front and rear diffs, coolant, brake) and anything else that seemed like a good idea (plugs, wires, belt, etc.), the time has come to deal with the oil drips on the driveway. Tried changing the oil to Mobil Super 5000, but still getting a decent amount of oil leaking at the junction between the transmission and engine. Since this engine has a one piece seal, it looks like I'm going to have to go digging and I figure that since I am in there, might as well do the clutch at the same time since I have no idea how many miles are on it. More info and videos on the 4.0 and ax-15 combo, but I've grabbed the factory manual and I'm getting ready to start. I've already had the skid off with no issues, and gotten the front of the exhaust loose since I think I'm going to change out the oil pan gasket as well while it is apart (small leak there too).

If anyone could chime in on what else to change while I'm in there, I'd appreciate it. Planning on a Luk 01040 clutch kit, Luk LFW195 flywheel, a Timken 614093 release bearing since apparently the one in the kit is garbage, a Fel-Pro oil pan gasket, and a Timken 3698 crankshaft seal.

Anything else to do while this is all apart?

Thanks!
Greg

 

[Blondie70]

Good luck with it. I have a 2000 like yours and drips out of the trans. Can't tell where tho. I can see the trans has been apart, and I bet it's the silicon they used to put it back together. I will be watching this thread.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Give the freeze plugs the once over when you remove the flywheel and inspect the trans mount since it's been getting an oil bath. I would also do a trans and TC case fluid change while it is out. The Redline MT-90 is highly recommended for your AX-5 transmission.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Odds are very high that flywheel is still in excellent condition and not in need of being replaced.

 

[GCole]

I've read that in other threads Jerry, so I'm prepared to keep the old flywheel if it looks ok. I get a decent amount of shuddering when taking off from a stop, so I'm not sure exactly what I'll find when it is open.

How about the clutch fork or pivot?

I traced the leak with some UV dye, so if I'm on the wrong track for some reason, let me know! Here are a couple of photos. I don't see anything coming down the back of the engine, this all seems to be between the engine and transmission and getting slung around as far as I can tell.

 

[GCole]

Give the freeze plugs the once over when you remove the flywheel and inspect the trans mount since it's been getting an oil bath. I would also do a trans and TC case fluid change while it is out. The Redline MT-90 is highly recommended for your AX-5 transmission.

Thanks for the reply Jim. I have already changed both of those fluids out, and I have Redline MT-90 in the transmission right now. Are you talking about freeze plugs that are behind the flywheel on the back of the engine?

 

[TJ4Jim]

Thanks for the reply Jim. I have already changed both of those fluids out, and I have Redline MT-90 in the transmission right now. Are you talking about freeze plugs that are behind the flywheel on the back of the engine?

Yes the ones behind the flywheel. Probably fine but worth a close inspection as they can bite you in the ass. How's the trans with the Redline, mine is great.

 

[GCole]

Yes the ones behind the flywheel. Probably fine but worth a close inspection as they can bite you in the ass. How's the trans with the Redline, mine is great.

When we first got the Jeep, I changed the AX-5 with Castrol Full Syn 10W-30 because it was readily available. Lived with some crunchy gear changes for awhile before doing some research and switching it out to the Redline. Works great now!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

One more thought... was the Mobil Super you added their pure conventional or a synthetic blend? The pure conventional version of Mobil Super is more likely to cure a leaky RMS.

 

[crackedcornish]

take a look at the clutch master, slave and line while you're in the vicininty

 

[GCole]

One more thought... was the Mobil Super you added their pure conventional or a synthetic blend? The pure conventional version of Mobil Super is more likely to cure a leaky RMS.

I looked all over for the conventional, and I never could find it. I went through Mobil's website and where they list their oils by formulation, the only ones I saw were full syn, syn blend, and the high mileage oils which are full syn and blends as well. So I went with the Super 5000 knowing it was still a blend and hoping for the best. Still dribbling unfortunately

 

[GCole]

take a look at the clutch master, slave and line while you're in the vicininty

Thought about that as well, just replace it all? Although I guess since by 97 the AX-5 was an external slave, it wouldn't be all that difficult to replace if I found an issue down the road, correct?

 

[GCole]

Does anyone know if the flywheel bolts are interchangeable between the 4.0 and 2.5? I see bolt kits listed for the 4.0 but not much for the 2.5 so far

 

[crackedcornish]

Thought about that as well, just replace it all? Although I guess since by 97 the AX-5 was an external slave, it wouldn't be all that difficult to replace if I found an issue down the road, correct?

not hard to replace at a later date, if it looks like it's all in good condition...but if it's leaking or iffy looking now, it's better to do a complete job of it

I have an auto, so never looked into it that deeply, but yes, if you need to replace it, I've heard the new ones usually come as a complete assembly...