Hi All,

First post. Thanks for all the awesome info. I never had gear head friends or family so at 34 years old I am learning to use a floor jack for the first time and I've changed the oil, manual trans fluid, spark plugs, flushed coolant, and the basics so far.

Last night I did the rear differential fluid in my 2wd 5 sp 97 Sport and I didn't realize there was a bolt on top of the bracket that connects to the diff cover that seemed to never even be screwed in because when I took the 10 bolts off the dana 30 I was able to pry it off. When I went to put the cover back on after cleaning it and putting the locktite on I realized that bolt was in the way and I couldn't get the bracket back on and I was freaking out because I didn't want the locktite to dry so I scrambled to get a socket that fit the bolt and got it out of the bracket enough to hand tighten the top diff bolt. It's the bracket that seems to connect to a steel line. I'm guessing it's one of the brake lines I'm not sure. Since I was able to get the bracket on with the top bolt on the cover I was able to finish the job except for the "top top" bolt that I'm not sure how to get back in or if it needs to be secured even since it doesn't seem like it was in the first place. I can take a picture when I get home from work if it is needed.

I tried googling top bracket/bolt on dana 30, brake line, top bolt xj differential cover, etc and couldn't figure it out so that's why I'm here. Thanks for your time and help helping a newb!

Jay