So, I brought my 2013 JKU in to have the axle seals replaced (driver side leaking) and ended up having the shop do seals, bearings, clean out the diff and add new synthetic. Two weeks later I see the passenger side leaking so I bring it back to the shop, which I have no issue with. The mech let me know the shafts are interchangeable, so the leak moved to the passenger side.
Turns out the seals had been replaced by the prior owner and he sent me pictures where the axle shaft in question has a groove cut in parallel to the shaft. Anyone every see this? Turns out this is the cause of the leak and I'll need a new shaft.
I'm really trying to find out why this was done? I'm the second owner, jeep has 92K.
The most common cause is when someone uses a grinder (or similar) to cut the bearing off, goes too deep and nicks the shaft (bearing has to come off to replace the seal).
Sounds pretty convincing to me and looking at the photo it really does look similar to how a piece of flat metal looks if you take a cutoff wheel straight to the flat side. Good call :worthy:
Sorry, this seems like a lot of work and expense to avoid just replacing the axles and bearings and seals as a unit.
I think if I had a seal leak I would just upgrade the axles while I am at it. Get a set that is already pressed together, and it becomes a simple unbolt / remove / replace / tighten up.
And yeah, that does look like someone screwed that axle shaft up cutting off the old bearing. I don't think that will buff out.
I used a dremel mototool with a cutting wheel when I cut off my old bearing. I am in complete agreement that someone used an angle grinder as you can also see a hit on the shoulder of the axle shaft.
It does look like someone used a grinder to cut off the bearing BUT, that cut is dang near perfect parallel with the shaft. Not sure I could get that square even with mill.
The "precision" on the cut is definitely suspect. In any case, I'm going to go with a new shaft like a Crown, or something close. This Jeep doesn't see a lot of wheeling and is more of a daily driver. Now to see if I can do it myself.
If you can DIY it, it is almost cheaper to buy a pre built chromemoly axle shaft than to pay the labor to have bearings and seals done in a shop.
If you were in Tulsa I have a spare with seal and bearing that i would let go cheap.
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