Random Tube? To front differential?
09-14-2014 | 03:30 PM
#17
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 90
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Please tell me it was not high on the PITA scale to replace it. 8(
In other news, if anyone's inclined to entertain another differential question...I still can't budge the last top driver's side bolt on the front differential cover. Overnight kroil, 3 pretty badly damaged knuckles now, and literally hanging all possible body weight on a box end wrench (only thing I can fit given track bar in the way in front and the narrow recess to the bolt on the cover itself), none of which have worked. I am quite willing now to run out and buy an impact gun, but I know it wouldn't fit.
Anyway, my best option at the moment is to abort the project for a couple days and maybe just keep kroil on it (although I don't know if that has any effect on the RTV undoubtedly seizing the bolt in. To this end, I figured I'd at least remove the fill plug and check/throw extra gear oil in there so I can drive it til I can complete original project.
That idea, of course, leads me to this issue. Is this what the plug is supposed to look like? The looks of it suggest that I could just stick a ratchet in there to remove. (?) However, I couldn't get it to fit and it appears that it has been similarly abused in the past (to my untrained eye, it looks stripped out a tad). QUESTION: am I missing something stupid to get the plug out, or does the appearance of the plug indicate that I'll be replacing the cover as well when (if) I get that last blasted bolt out?
*I'm reeeeally sorry on this one - dumb and basic, for sure, but my body/sanity needs a break on this haha*
In other news, if anyone's inclined to entertain another differential question...I still can't budge the last top driver's side bolt on the front differential cover. Overnight kroil, 3 pretty badly damaged knuckles now, and literally hanging all possible body weight on a box end wrench (only thing I can fit given track bar in the way in front and the narrow recess to the bolt on the cover itself), none of which have worked. I am quite willing now to run out and buy an impact gun, but I know it wouldn't fit.
Anyway, my best option at the moment is to abort the project for a couple days and maybe just keep kroil on it (although I don't know if that has any effect on the RTV undoubtedly seizing the bolt in. To this end, I figured I'd at least remove the fill plug and check/throw extra gear oil in there so I can drive it til I can complete original project.
That idea, of course, leads me to this issue. Is this what the plug is supposed to look like? The looks of it suggest that I could just stick a ratchet in there to remove. (?) However, I couldn't get it to fit and it appears that it has been similarly abused in the past (to my untrained eye, it looks stripped out a tad). QUESTION: am I missing something stupid to get the plug out, or does the appearance of the plug indicate that I'll be replacing the cover as well when (if) I get that last blasted bolt out?
*I'm reeeeally sorry on this one - dumb and basic, for sure, but my body/sanity needs a break on this haha*
Don't pass out. :-)
09-14-2014 | 03:49 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 247
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From: Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Apparently hitting thumb with BFM helped me find the anger-strength to at least get the plug out. Only about half in. of metal shavings fell of it when I took it out. The other half inch of shavings stayed on the plug for me. Awesome.
Ok then...what makes propane go boom? Kroil? Oil pan? PS fluid? Haha.
Ok then...what makes propane go boom? Kroil? Oil pan? PS fluid? Haha.
09-14-2014 | 04:29 PM
#19
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 90
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Apparently hitting thumb with BFM helped me find the anger-strength to at least get the plug out. Only about half in. of metal shavings fell of it when I took it out. The other half inch of shavings stayed on the plug for me. Awesome.
Ok then...what makes propane go boom? Kroil? Oil pan? PS fluid? Haha.
Ok then...what makes propane go boom? Kroil? Oil pan? PS fluid? Haha.
Once I established that my diff fluid was okay by removing the diff cover(not at first - it was milky) and I cleaned and refilled the diff with good lube, I just use a hand pump to suck out the old fluid through the fill port and add new fluid back in - on a regular basis.
The hand pump I use to get the lube out is one of those Orange pumps w/Oranage tubes, that you can buy at the auto parts stores. PITA but it works. Very messy.
You may want to try this method until you can actually remove the cover. If the lube you suck out is milky (from the vent fitting not installed - water intrusion), or you see metal in the drained lube, removing the cover is top priority.
09-14-2014 | 05:04 PM
#20
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Year: 2000, 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
I just saw a similar hose plugged into the top of the rear differential on the rear axle on my Grand Cherokee, and was about to ask what this loose hose was for. I'm now guessing it's the rear version of this. What is this vent needed for?
09-14-2014 | 05:27 PM
#21
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,565
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
So the diff can vent hot air and not pull water back in were you to ford a stream or the like...
09-17-2014 | 09:18 PM
#22
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Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 247
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From: Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Submitted to the propane last night to finally free the last bolt on the cover (no deaths, no fire -winning!). But I did stare at the propane can for a good 10 minutes trying to muster up the cajones (dumb, but kind of funny). Gear oil smelled like death, much gagging and eye watering. The gear didn't look too bad although I didn't lift my xj for the job, so I couldn't rotate the gear to check it all out. Entire can of brake cleaner, and a new hatred of RTV.
SOOOO THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!!! On to the rear... haha
SOOOO THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!!! On to the rear... haha
09-17-2014 | 09:25 PM
#23
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,565
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
That propane stuff scares me to death.
I drive one of these every day and park it at my home every night
........
I drive one of these every day and park it at my home every night
........
Last edited by cruiser54; 09-17-2014 at 09:34 PM.
09-18-2014 | 04:18 PM
#24
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 90
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Submitted to the propane last night to finally free the last bolt on the cover (no deaths, no fire -winning!). But I did stare at the propane can for a good 10 minutes trying to muster up the cajones (dumb, but kind of funny). Gear oil smelled like death, much gagging and eye watering. The gear didn't look too bad although I didn't lift my xj for the job, so I couldn't rotate the gear to check it all out. Entire can of brake cleaner, and a new hatred of RTV.
SOOOO THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!!! On to the rear... haha
SOOOO THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!!! On to the rear... haha
On to the rear differential (?).
I had/have a problem with one of the upper bolts on the rear (hard to get at) so may you. You probably won't need Propane, and penetrating oil is useless on these bolts, so just go easy.
09-19-2014 | 12:18 AM
#25
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Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 247
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From: Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'll try not to whine this time
09-19-2014 | 04:47 AM
#26
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 67
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
09-19-2014 | 02:40 PM
#27
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 90
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
09-19-2014 | 04:09 PM
#28
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 486
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From: Lehigh Valley PA
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 renix
Driving that propane truck would scare the crap out of me. Too many idiots on the roads.
And yes:
There's usually 1 or two towards the top that will give you a hard time since the water will have gotten to them the most, but they really shouldn't be too bad.
I really should do my front here before the winter...
And yes:
I really should do my front here before the winter...
09-20-2014 | 11:05 AM
#29
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Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 247
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From: Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I thought my "research" had indicated that the rear diff doesn't get a gasket, but I saw that fel-pro offers one specifically for the rear, so I picked it up. Intending to put that in (if the cover eventually comes off), unless someone steps in and stops the plan
Curiosity: changed the front diff lube earlier this week and have been driving with no probs/leaks. But every now and then I get a whiff of gear oil while driving. Assuming my olfactory senses were traumatized by the smell during the change, is this normal or some kind of red flag?