Front axle seals, When to replace
#1
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Front axle seals, When to replace
Ok, I noticed the other day that I have oil on my right front tire. The inside. I am really sure that it is the seal for the front end. I have found a could of threads on the tear down and re build for this. Seems to be an afternoons work and maybe some help. But I like to things by myself and will probably do it that way. If I can.
The leak is not bad, and has gotten better. Maybe because most of the oil has leaked out maybe. But it was never a "leaving a spot on the ground" kind of leak. You can just notice it if you look for it. I don't run in 4 wheel very often and don't plan to in the next few weeks. But I did want to take my XJ on a couple of road trips in the next few weeks. All highway.
Is this something that can wait till I get back to mess with or do I need to do it before I drive it a few thousand miles in 2 wheel?
Guess I could take a wrench with me and keeping topping it off if I need to.
If I have to do it, I have to do it tomorrow or take a different vehicle, but my truck doesn't get the mileage that my jeep does.
Any thoughts??
Any thoughts on an oil to put in there?
Thanks!
The leak is not bad, and has gotten better. Maybe because most of the oil has leaked out maybe. But it was never a "leaving a spot on the ground" kind of leak. You can just notice it if you look for it. I don't run in 4 wheel very often and don't plan to in the next few weeks. But I did want to take my XJ on a couple of road trips in the next few weeks. All highway.
Is this something that can wait till I get back to mess with or do I need to do it before I drive it a few thousand miles in 2 wheel?
Guess I could take a wrench with me and keeping topping it off if I need to.
If I have to do it, I have to do it tomorrow or take a different vehicle, but my truck doesn't get the mileage that my jeep does.
Any thoughts??
Any thoughts on an oil to put in there?
Thanks!
#2
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Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Take out the fill plug of the differential cover and see where the fluid is at by sticking your finger in there. Top it off and bring wrenches with you on the trip. Then take out the fill plug about halfway wherever you're going and check where the fluid is at. Yes, you need to keep it topped off.
Obviously, if you have the time to fix it beforehand, that would be absolutely ideal. But I'd think you'd be able to get away with it as is if the leak isn't very bad as you describe
Obviously, if you have the time to fix it beforehand, that would be absolutely ideal. But I'd think you'd be able to get away with it as is if the leak isn't very bad as you describe
#3
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be sure your "leak" isnt grease dripping from the TREs, balljoints, etc. If the axle seals are leaking, they don't fix themselves...well unless all the oil has leaked out
A good way to check for leaks is to jack up one side of the Jeep, leave the suspected leaky side on the ground. If there's oil in the diff and the seal is bad, it will leak out.
A good way to check for leaks is to jack up one side of the Jeep, leave the suspected leaky side on the ground. If there's oil in the diff and the seal is bad, it will leak out.
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Year: 1998
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Engine: 4.0 I6
Did you smell it? lol Not trying to be funny but that's how I figured out my seals were leaking...... gear oil has a distinct smell......
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