opdsgt

I hear you. My guy never puts a torque wrench on a pinion nut. Hits it with air, spins the yoke by hand and gauges resistance, repeats until he's comfortable. If I have a problem like this again, perhaps I'll talk to him about doing it w/an inch-pound wrench.

Amen to that!

opdsgt

I almost can't believe this!

I went out to the garage to fiddle around this morning and about fainted when I looked under the JK. The mess is all over the inner fender, wheel, tire, suspension, etc. Gear oil, pouring from the right side axle tube.

Can you say "d-e-f-l-a-t-i-n-g" boys and girls?

How about "d-i-s-h-e-a-r-t-e-n-i-n-g"?

I've had the Jeep back for one day since the overhaul kit was installed.

It would seem I was wrong about my vent line puking enough oil to grenade the pinion bearing. Obviously, it was something more insidious (like, my AXLE SEALS).

Now I'm stranded until I can limp this freagin' thing back to the shop on Monday morning.

Seriously bummed....

u-joint

Man

That would be discouraging. Hang in there, and hopefully Monday will come quickly.

wayoflife

awe man, that's gotta be frustrating. just to make sure, you weren't seen a leak like this before getting your pinion bearing fixed, right? i mean, if you were, it would have been really noticable, or, so i would think. so you know, in order to change out the pinon bearings, you need to pull apart your entire front end - more than likely, the axle seal was accidentally damaged when pulling things apart or being reinstalled. unfortunately, it happens and i seriously doubt that this is what lead to your inital problem.

bigbluejk

Woah, he doesnt use a in/lb torque wrench? I would have a serious issue with that myself. Back on the TJ days I blew my rear pinion yoke replaced it in y garage and since I didn't have an in/lb I took it to the dealer to have them check it. After the mechanic told me I got it in spec I told him I was thinking about getting a in/lb and which one does he use? Then to my surprise he gives me some BS about how he didnt have one but he could tell by feel. WTF? I felt like a cartoon character cause my face was red and steam prolly blew out my ears. I was told by an oldschooler back in the day to run like hell from any mechanic claiming to be a human torque wrench. I guess it stuck.

Goodluck getting it back on the road. Hate to see you broke down again.

opdsgt

Eddie, I'm sure you're right now that I sit and think about it. The seal probably got damaged/dislodged when the axle shafts got shoved back in.

Miraculously, my local stealer has a pair of seals in stock, $22 apiece. At least I'll have parts in hand when I can get my Jeep back to my gear guy Monday.