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Front Axle Seal Leak

22K views 38 replies 21 participants last post by  JTPhoto JK 
#1 ·
My 2015 Jeep JK Sports is currently at 55K miles. Took it to the dealer for some other maintenance at around 36K miles and they told me my inner axle seals are leaking since my axle tube is wet and recommended that I replace it there.

I didn't. And when I change my diff fluid last night, the fluid level is still right at the bottom of the fill hole. Does this mean the leak is very very tiny which seems unlikely since I drove it for 19k miles and the fluid level didn't drop at all. Or the dealer was just lying to me?
 
#2 ·
Look at the axle tubes by the knuckles, the rim and tires for oil spots, runs. Also look the spot you normally park at. Pretty easy to tell if they are leaking.
 
#3 ·
the axle seal is covered under your 5/100,000 drive train warranty. have them do it. One thing about leaks is they don't go away on their own. It is a common problem so no the dealer is probably not lying to you. the issue is not so much running out of gear oil but leaking axle seals make a mess and can contaminate your brake pads if they get bad enough.
 
#4 ·
Front axle? The fill level is right at the bottom of the axle tube, so any leak there is minor at first.

Get it replaced under warranty. I did that once.
 
#5 ·
I have one that is leaking but I am out of warranty, I have been dragging my feet on getting it fixed.
 
#11 ·
I used to be a mechanic. I attempted to replace the axle seals on my own. Long story short, you should purchase the special tool. It will make installing the axle seals much easier. P/N is 6797A ("turnbuckle") and 8110A ("Installer, Seal, Set of 2 Discs").

Now, you will need to remove and re-install the differential carrier. Removing it is not that difficult if you stuff the rag where the pinion and ring gear meet, and then rotate the ring gear.

However, re-installing the differential carrier is a major PITA. And, if you do not do that correctly, you may need to buy a whole new axle. Yeah, that's what I did. I really fu**ed up re-installing it. It went in cock-eyed and I could not get it back out. So, I had to buy a new axle.

If you want to do it on your own, you will need a differential case spreader ($500+ for the W-129B special tool), as well as a shim driver (e.g., Yukon), and a dial indicator.

So, you really need to ask yourself: how long do you plan on keeping the Jeep so that the tools pay for themselves? If not long, you may want to just let a dealer take care of it. They have the special tools already.

Can you do it without the special tools? Sure. But, I would not recommend it. It is a PITA to get this differential carrier in the housing without spreading the housing.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, you cannot use the W-129B differential case spreader with the axle on the vehicle. You have to remove the entire axle from the vehicle.
 
#7 ·
As mentioned above, leaks don't get better. Also they work both ways - water and dirt will find their way in.

It's supposedly a DIY job, there are quite a few videos on the interwebs. If not, find an independent shop. Dealerships will rape you.
 
#8 ·
i have the same problem, the mechanic also said the biggest issue is it leaking on the brakes... leaks get worse. I have replaced an axle seal on a suburban, not that big of a deal, once you get everything apart.

Is there anything else worth doing while the axles are out of the diff, i was thinking of upgrading the diff cover. maybe replace the u joints while its apart?
 
#10 ·
Going in tomorrow morning for the rear terraflex BBK upgrade...Going to have them check and repair seals also. I am sure My outer rear axle seal is bad...I found smelly gear oil slung up into the wheel well...not particularly on the wheel but all over the plastic in the well

4WP has been good so far can recommend.
 
#13 ·
Well, one may not be able to use that particular case spreader on the axle in the vehicle, but there are many others that you can. This ARB one is way less money and works on the axle in place. https://www.quadratec.com/products/...ErBb7eQv17LpL0MwULeof3UH7ui4nUloaAjaKEALw_wcB I know from experience that this one works in the vehicle. Just make sure that you have backed off on the bearing caps. Yes, I made that mistake once, one cap was not loose enough and the bearing cap kept the case from spreading.

It's not hard to remove and reinstall the carrier. You need to be careful, yes, but if you are, it's relatively easy. A shim driver is a nice tool to have if you added a locker as you most likely have a shim pack and not a master shim.

If you are still under the drive train warranty though, let the dealer do it.
 
#21 ·
Going in tomorrow morning for the rear terraflex BBK upgrade...Going to have them check and repair seals also. I am sure My outer rear axle seal is bad...I found smelly gear oil slung up into the wheel well...not particularly on the wheel but all over the plastic in the well

4WP has been good so far can recommend.
Hi kevinyu983 and sammaz,
Thanks for reaching out here. If you find that you are in need of additional assistance while working with your dealer, our team is always available via private message. Feel free to keep us updated on your dealer diagnosis!

Kathryn
JeepCares
 
#23 ·
I had my front seal replaced in OCT19 on my 15 JKU that had 42,000. Well within the warranty but the dealer charged me for the work.

I realized in JAN20 that it should have been covered under warranty and called them. They told me that their notes don't go back that far and the damage could have been caused by an accident. They told me I had to file a claim myself and were of no help. Total BS.

I filed a claim with Jeep and should be getting a full refund.

Not dealing with that dealership again. Next service I took it to Pamby's.
 
#27 ·
So, I ended up buying a mini lathe (always wanted one - good excuse to get one) and fabricated a seal press based on the Yukon seal press. Also bought the (ARB?) shim driver set, but did not need it, but I could see where it might come in handy. The seal driver was extremely helpful as I was doing this job solo and I would encourage buying the Yukon one. Did the toothpick trick for the locker sensor, which worked well. I did not need the case spreader, but it was tight getting things back together. I was hyper careful. That was three weeks ago, and no leaks to date, but I have only put about 100 miles on it since.
 
#30 ·
I did the axle seals myself... actually pretty easy and very rewarding...I didn't need a driver - just used a large socket, some extensions and a hammer. YouTube is your friend. No spreader was necessary - just a gentle and even taps to get the carrier to slide back in with a dead blow hammer.

I cracked a chrome 12pt 14mm(?) Socket on the unit bearing hubs getting the bolts out though. I was using a Milwaukee impact.

An extra hand is necessary to get everything centered. I was in and out in about 2 hrs. This is working on an gravel driveway (which is major PITA).

Be sure to add a little grease to the axle splines - this helps prevent the shafts from sticking to the hub.

I found that BOTH seals were partially driven in by the dealer as they did the previous repair under MaxCare. As*hats...

sent via cone of silence
 
#31 ·
45,000 km (28,000 miles) and saw my steering stabilizer was covered in oil. Was looking for an excuse to take it in as the release bearing has been quite noisy for about a year. only 10 days left on basic warranty! I noticed a leaky seal front drivers side too when I was looking below. great all three things to get done. took it in and they replaced both front seals, stabilizer, release bearing and clutch plate in about 5 hours.

if your seal is bad, and oil can leak out, also means liquids could leak in. depends where you wheel. for me there's lots of wet stuff so I fix em pretty quickly.
 
#32 ·
Not to highjack a thread, but I noticed some oil on my driveway this morning. My driveway is at a bit of an incline and I never back in, but today I did, forcing the problem area to be downhill. This is the first time I noticed any leak since I last replaced the oil cooler. Is this typically the location and appearance of a bad axel seal?

4514490
 
#33 ·
Not to highjack a thread, but I noticed some oil on my driveway this morning. My driveway is at a bit of an incline and I never back in, but today I did, forcing the problem area to be downhill. This is the first time I noticed any leak since I last replaced the oil cooler. Is this typically the location and appearance of a bad axel seal?

View attachment 4514490
Yes

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
#36 ·
Mine is only passenger side too.
 
#38 ·
If you are thinking about regearing or front locker work down the road, just keep feeding it gear oil and wait to do it all at once because you will save quite a bit on labor.
 
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