Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

Hey folks,
I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
Has anyone encountered this before?
Any tips to help determine the source?
If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
Is the gasket easy to change?

I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
Mechanic, so bear with me.

Cheers,
Paul

1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

You need to check the oil ASAP.

If there is still oil in it and it doesn't drip a bunch when sitting in
the driveway, then it is the pinion seal leaking.

It is my belief that the new seal has to be put in by a professional
drivetrain mechanic. I had a 'jeep' shop change mine and either it was
just worn right out at 135000 miles or they destroyed it by hammering
the pinion back on with their impact gun. $500.00 later at a drivetrain
place and I am good to go.

Then you need to ask 'why' it's leaking. Bad u-joint vibrating or worn
out pinion bearing? I think it is kinda a waste of time to change a
seal that's only going to last 6 months or so because the bearing or
u-joint are still worn causing the movement.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

You need to check the oil ASAP.

If there is still oil in it and it doesn't drip a bunch when sitting in
the driveway, then it is the pinion seal leaking.

It is my belief that the new seal has to be put in by a professional
drivetrain mechanic. I had a 'jeep' shop change mine and either it was
just worn right out at 135000 miles or they destroyed it by hammering
the pinion back on with their impact gun. $500.00 later at a drivetrain
place and I am good to go.

Then you need to ask 'why' it's leaking. Bad u-joint vibrating or worn
out pinion bearing? I think it is kinda a waste of time to change a
seal that's only going to last 6 months or so because the bearing or
u-joint are still worn causing the movement.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

You need to check the oil ASAP.

If there is still oil in it and it doesn't drip a bunch when sitting in
the driveway, then it is the pinion seal leaking.

It is my belief that the new seal has to be put in by a professional
drivetrain mechanic. I had a 'jeep' shop change mine and either it was
just worn right out at 135000 miles or they destroyed it by hammering
the pinion back on with their impact gun. $500.00 later at a drivetrain
place and I am good to go.

Then you need to ask 'why' it's leaking. Bad u-joint vibrating or worn
out pinion bearing? I think it is kinda a waste of time to change a
seal that's only going to last 6 months or so because the bearing or
u-joint are still worn causing the movement.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

You need to check the oil ASAP.

If there is still oil in it and it doesn't drip a bunch when sitting in
the driveway, then it is the pinion seal leaking.

It is my belief that the new seal has to be put in by a professional
drivetrain mechanic. I had a 'jeep' shop change mine and either it was
just worn right out at 135000 miles or they destroyed it by hammering
the pinion back on with their impact gun. $500.00 later at a drivetrain
place and I am good to go.

Then you need to ask 'why' it's leaking. Bad u-joint vibrating or worn
out pinion bearing? I think it is kinda a waste of time to change a
seal that's only going to last 6 months or so because the bearing or
u-joint are still worn causing the movement.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

Oh, also mud is a good way to find the leak. Go get it muddy, let mud
dry and drive it. The leak will be very obviously fresh at one point.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

Oh, also mud is a good way to find the leak. Go get it muddy, let mud
dry and drive it. The leak will be very obviously fresh at one point.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

Oh, also mud is a good way to find the leak. Go get it muddy, let mud
dry and drive it. The leak will be very obviously fresh at one point.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

Oh, also mud is a good way to find the leak. Go get it muddy, let mud
dry and drive it. The leak will be very obviously fresh at one point.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Paul Tremblay wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a leak
> from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2 inches
> wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the source.
> Has anyone encountered this before?
> Any tips to help determine the source?
> If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> Is the gasket easy to change?
>
> I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> Mechanic, so bear with me.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
> 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> Selec-trac

Re: Oil leak from front Diff on 95 ZJ 4.0L advice needed
 

Thanks Mike, there is no puddle in my driveway. and the last time I was
under the car before this morning ( 1 month) there was no oil on the diff. I
will do the mud test and see what results I get. Meanwhile I will top up the
oil also to gauge the rate of loss.

Cheers,

Paul

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:40E1B1CC.28E41874@sympatico.ca...
> Oh, also mud is a good way to find the leak. Go get it muddy, let mud
> dry and drive it. The leak will be very obviously fresh at one point.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> Paul Tremblay wrote:
> >
> > Hey folks,
> > I was under the car while changing the oil this morning and noticed a
leak
> > from the front axle Differential housing the oil stream is about 2
inches
> > wide and goes from the U joint to the Housing (back to front) Now cannot
> > tell if the joint is leaking or if the Gasket on the housing is the
source.
> > Has anyone encountered this before?
> > Any tips to help determine the source?
> > If the U Joint is leaking, is this an easy DIY job?
> > Is the gasket easy to change?
> >
> > I have been enjoying working on this Jeep since I got it, but I am no
> > Mechanic, so bear with me.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Paul
> >
> > 1995 ZJ 4.0L Limited
> > Selec-trac