Is this bad, really bad, or not bad at all?

[ClaytonTheAggie]

So I was under my sweet, sweet, dearest Jeep which I love so much today taking the bumper off to bedliner it, and I saw this:



I have done a search on here and the only thread I found about the diff leaking was talking about trail damage. I haven't hit my differential on anything (this is the front one, by the way). I don't really know how bad a problem this is. It isn't leaking out onto the ground, but apparently enough is leaking out to get on the outside.

Is this a big deal? I think this is probably covered under my warranty, at least I hope so, because I'm not sure I have the technical skill to fix it. I can change my own oil and do little things, but I don't want to screw up any gears.

[whpony96]

Go get a set of lubelocker gaskets for the front and rear and they will never leak again. (Lube locker gaskets are reuseable!)

[saltman]

If you can change your oil, you can change your dif fluid. The RTV is not complete there and it is leaking. You need to drain the fluid, pull the cover, remove old rtv, replace with new (or lube locker) and refill with fluid. piece of cake. It should be done every 12-15K anyway.

[TripleJeep_99]

If you are pulling the covers off....add in some Brake Cleaner as well when you buy the RTV and oil. Brake Cleaner cleans up the gears nicely when you pull the cover!

[itasor]

If you are pulling the covers off....add in some Brake Cleaner as well when you buy the RTV and oil. Brake Cleaner cleans up the gears nicely when you pull the cover!

There's no problems with brake cleaner damaging seals or anything in there? I'll probably do mine at 12,000 miles and was wondering if it was OK to spray it out.

[rubious]

mine look the same and are leaking in the exact same spot. i checked my fluid level and they were fine, so when i change my fluid (next week) i'll be doing the same job u are

[toad]

There's no problems with brake cleaner damaging seals or anything in there? I'll probably do mine at 12,000 miles and was wondering if it was OK to spray it out.

No. Just drain it all out, wipe it down with some paper towels and then spray the brake cleaner in there and wipe it out as well. Make sure to scrape off as much RTV as you can. You might also want to file the edges just to get a better contact for the RTV. Apply it, wait for about 10 mins then replace the cover. Then, go ahead and re-fill it..there is no need to wait.

[earnsdorff]

Mine looks similar but I haven't had any drips so I'm putting off fixing it until I do a complete service job.

[RN M OVR]

I have that all over my diffs -- since I changed my diff oil. That's all it is, oil/now grease. I wouldn't worry about this. The common scenario is your differential breather hose pushed some oil out, because you have had too much in, when going over a bump or driving at highway speeds. That, or it can even been coolant or washer fluid that spouted out when going over a bump. Or maybe your sealant needs replacing.

I would definitely change the sealant between diff cover and the diff next time you change the oil. In the meantime I would not worry about this. Your JK is 100% fine. Just watch to see if the stains get any worse or begin drippinng on your garage floor.

[cwhitfield]

Glad I bumped in to this - I noticed the same thing on my Jeep when I was changing oil the other day. I didn't realize you're supposed to change it every 12-15k

Haven't hit 12k yet, so not a big deal, but good to know.