Axle Seals Leaking
05-18-2012, 06:58 AM
#1
JK Freak
Thread Starter
Axle Seals Leaking
Hey everyone! Hopefully somebody can help me out. Over a year ago I had new gears installed, while they were doing that I had them install Evo 44 Magnums (sleeves).
Issue 1:
I was walking by the Jeep this morning and noticed a discoloration on my front Dana 30 axle. Taking a closer look it looks like I have a small leak coming from the driver side. I am guessing its a pretty slow leak as I don't see a puddle or anything, plus the visable area around the shaft is dry.
Should I not worry about it until it gets worse? Is it even leaking? Since I have the Evo Sleeves what seals do I even replace now?
Issue 2:
Since I saw that on the front, I decided to take a look at the rest of my axles. Looks like on the rear (non-rubicon Dana 44) driver side I have a leak as well. This one appears to be a little more apparent, as I have some leakage onto my tire.
Pulling the axle shafts doesn't scare me at all. I just don't know what seals I need to replace in either case. Any help is appreciated.
Issue 1:
I was walking by the Jeep this morning and noticed a discoloration on my front Dana 30 axle. Taking a closer look it looks like I have a small leak coming from the driver side. I am guessing its a pretty slow leak as I don't see a puddle or anything, plus the visable area around the shaft is dry.
Should I not worry about it until it gets worse? Is it even leaking? Since I have the Evo Sleeves what seals do I even replace now?
Issue 2:
Since I saw that on the front, I decided to take a look at the rest of my axles. Looks like on the rear (non-rubicon Dana 44) driver side I have a leak as well. This one appears to be a little more apparent, as I have some leakage onto my tire.
Pulling the axle shafts doesn't scare me at all. I just don't know what seals I need to replace in either case. Any help is appreciated.
05-18-2012, 08:51 AM
#2
JK Enthusiast
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Offroad evo sells the rubber o ring for their magnum sleeves they are $14. The rear would be a different a different type of seal you would have to get that from the part store or dealer.
05-18-2012, 10:15 AM
#3
JK Jedi Master
The seal in the axle sleeve isn't designed to contain the oil in the front axle. If it's leaking, the seals in the axle need to be changed; the ones in the diff housing where the diff has to come out.
Because of the work involved, and your picture of the front axle, I would just clean off the residue with some brake-clean, check the fluid level in the axle, and keep an eye on it. It may not come back.
The rear axle looks a little worse. First, check the fluid level. Clean off the residue and keep an eye on it, if you can't fix it right off. Also, make sure it's not brake fluid.
To replace the rear axle seals, you will need new seals, retainer rings, and I would install new bearings, since they will be off anyway.
The four nuts that hold the end retainer on should be replaced new, also.
The easiest way to get all that stuff off the axle shaft is with a press and bearing splitter.
Because of the work involved, and your picture of the front axle, I would just clean off the residue with some brake-clean, check the fluid level in the axle, and keep an eye on it. It may not come back.
The rear axle looks a little worse. First, check the fluid level. Clean off the residue and keep an eye on it, if you can't fix it right off. Also, make sure it's not brake fluid.
To replace the rear axle seals, you will need new seals, retainer rings, and I would install new bearings, since they will be off anyway.
The four nuts that hold the end retainer on should be replaced new, also.
The easiest way to get all that stuff off the axle shaft is with a press and bearing splitter.
05-18-2012, 02:17 PM
#4
JK Freak
Thread Starter
The seal in the axle sleeve isn't designed to contain the oil in the front axle. If it's leaking, the seals in the axle need to be changed; the ones in the diff housing where the diff has to come out.
Because of the work involved, and your picture of the front axle, I would just clean off the residue with some brake-clean, check the fluid level in the axle, and keep an eye on it. It may not come back.
The rear axle looks a little worse. First, check the fluid level. Clean off the residue and keep an eye on it, if you can't fix it right off. Also, make sure it's not brake fluid.
To replace the rear axle seals, you will need new seals, retainer rings, and I would install new bearings, since they will be off anyway.
The four nuts that hold the end retainer on should be replaced new, also.
The easiest way to get all that stuff off the axle shaft is with a press and bearing splitter.
Because of the work involved, and your picture of the front axle, I would just clean off the residue with some brake-clean, check the fluid level in the axle, and keep an eye on it. It may not come back.
The rear axle looks a little worse. First, check the fluid level. Clean off the residue and keep an eye on it, if you can't fix it right off. Also, make sure it's not brake fluid.
To replace the rear axle seals, you will need new seals, retainer rings, and I would install new bearings, since they will be off anyway.
The four nuts that hold the end retainer on should be replaced new, also.
The easiest way to get all that stuff off the axle shaft is with a press and bearing splitter.
05-18-2012, 02:24 PM
#5
JK Jedi Master
If it were my choice, I would get them from the dealer, or an online MOPAR parts dealer. I think they should be replaced because they are self locking, or have some fiber-lock in the threads. Some people reuse them and haven't had them come loose. The book says they must be replaced, so that's what I would do.
05-18-2012, 03:05 PM
#7
JK Freak
Thread Starter
The seal in the axle sleeve isn't designed to contain the oil in the front axle. If it's leaking, the seals in the axle need to be changed; the ones in the diff housing where the diff has to come out.
Because of the work involved, and your picture of the front axle, I would just clean off the residue with some brake-clean, check the fluid level in the axle, and keep an eye on it. It may not come back.
The rear axle looks a little worse. First, check the fluid level. Clean off the residue and keep an eye on it, if you can't fix it right off. Also, make sure it's not brake fluid.
To replace the rear axle seals, you will need new seals, retainer rings, and I would install new bearings, since they will be off anyway.
The four nuts that hold the end retainer on should be replaced new, also.
The easiest way to get all that stuff off the axle shaft is with a press and bearing splitter.
Because of the work involved, and your picture of the front axle, I would just clean off the residue with some brake-clean, check the fluid level in the axle, and keep an eye on it. It may not come back.
The rear axle looks a little worse. First, check the fluid level. Clean off the residue and keep an eye on it, if you can't fix it right off. Also, make sure it's not brake fluid.
To replace the rear axle seals, you will need new seals, retainer rings, and I would install new bearings, since they will be off anyway.
The four nuts that hold the end retainer on should be replaced new, also.
The easiest way to get all that stuff off the axle shaft is with a press and bearing splitter.