Bent axle or axle shaft?

[Nonestar]

Hey all,

Last year when lifting my jeep I made the mistake of raising the front axle (a 30) by the differential housing. A few minutes after jacking, I noticed the leak on the passenger side wheel assembly. I lowered the jack and properly raised the axle and continued my work, finishing the lift.

It leaked for a day or two afterwards, then stabilized. Just these last few days, the leak has resumed. I'm now under the impression that something has to be fixed. My question is whether this is a candidate for a simple axle shaft replacement or whether I've probably irreparably bent my 30 and thus should simply replace (with a 44!). If the axle shaft, can I do this in my own garage? I'm pretty handy but no mechanic.

Appreciate any thoughts!

[Kurt]

I suspect what you have is a bad passenger side axle shaft seal.
They do wear out and quicker for us that use our Jeeps off road and in dirt/mud/water.
Probably when you initially had it jacked up the passengers end of the axle was lower that the drivers due to the offset of the differential and gear oil leaked past the seal and slowly made it's way down the axle tube and leaking out the tube by the u-joint. Since the gear oil is viscous it will dribble out over a few days time once it's in the axle tube.
Replacing the seal requires pulling both axle shafts part way out, popping off the diff cover, removing the bolts securing the bearing caps, removing the bearing caps and then prying the differential/ring gear assembly out. Once done you can then get to the seals(s) and replace them.

[Jonas]

The likelihood of you bending the axle by jacking it up under the pumpkin I would say is pretty low. The way we drive these Jeeps every other person would have a bent axle if it happened that easily. I have also always been jacking mine up with a floor jack under the pumpkin and never had any issues. Before going any further I would crawl under the Jeep with a straight edge, a couple of rulers, etc. and see if I could detect anything being wrong.

Also, as far as I know the axle housing is the same on the 30 and 44.

How old is your Jeep? Could it be that it is just time for some new axle seals?

Jonas

[Nonestar]

Thanks. Replacing the seal sounds like a good place to start. Is there a way to replace the seal that does not require getting into the differential? That is, can I get to it via the wheel assembly?

Again, very much appreciate your insights.

[MDSRACING398]

No and if your in there I ld replace both. Get quality seals not just auto part store line.

[Frank]

Its not expensive or very difficult to do just time consuming . If you do this yourself there are videos to show you how. One main thing you need to get right . The two bearing caps you are to remove two bolts each and the caps come off. They MUST go back on the correct side and not to be inverted . They support the carriers bearings and need to seat just the way they are . There are factory marks on them to look for , or just mark them with parts paint so you know you got it right . One of the best thing this club does is help by way of a "Wrench Fest " If you have a garage and tools , pizza and beer , it can be done . What town ? FjR68

[Kurt]

A Wrenchfest is in the works at my place. Tentatively on 6/16.
You could bring your Jeep and the two new seals and some new gear oil and we can pop them in for you.

[RandyCarol]

A Wrenchfest is in the works at my place. Tentatively on 6/16.
You could bring your Jeep and the two new seals and some new gear oil and we can pop them in for you.

What/who’s project is in the works?

[Kurt]

It's for Pat Charron's JL. It's getting a mild spring & shock lift.
Bob may be doing the same to his rig that day too.

[Nonestar]

Might take you up on that! Plenty of time for me to assess, too. Will also bring new diff cover; have in mind a replacement.

[Kurt]

... Will also bring new diff cover; have in mind a replacement.

Great time to replace it since thy he factory one will be off.

[Nonestar]

BTW, my Jeep is only 4 years old and has 13000 miles. Not sure if this causes you to update your thinking on leaking seals.

The dripping has again ceased--I've been watching it daily.

[MDSRACING398]

Did you change the fluid? Or drive thru water? Too much fluid will push thru seals.

[Frank]

Could also be your starting to get low on oil (BAD) and it only leaks when you have been on a certain street with the right angle . 130k is more likely the reason the seal leaks . The bad reason a seal leaks is a bearing is starting to go and the axle shaft has wiggle in it causing the seal to leak. Either way its time to take a look , right ? FjR68

[Nonestar]

Didn't change the oil, though my plan was to do that this month anyway per Jeep's recommended maintenance at 4 years. The oil that is dripping is honey, so no clear there is contamination.

The oil drip has stopped the last few days. I'm wondering whether I should just go ahead and drain and replace the oil and see what happens.