Jeep Front Axel Seals

[tyhuck]

My dad has a 2001 Wrangler TJ and wants me to do some fabrication work for it. Im gonna need to bring it home with me to get everything measured and even.

 

Problem is, he called me today and said that he had a puddle near the front wheel. Sounds to me like a bad axel seal. I had some on my old ZR2 pickup and they didnt really loose too much fluid. If it were a short trip home, I wouldnt worry about it, but its a 3 hour drive. Im gonna try to conince him to let me take it to my mechanic once I get it home.

 

My question is, how concerned would you be about making a 150 mile trip with a bad axel seal? Obviously I would check the level before I left, and would top if off if needed. But, if its not pouring out of the axel tube, would it be a major concern to get it home?

[Deconstruction]

check the fluid and top it off if it needs to be, One of my Tj's always had a leaky seal and it never went down much

[tyhuck]

So would you trust it to that long of a drive at 70mph as long as its not a steady dribble or anything?

[markw8]

Be sure the housing vent is clear and the fluid is topped off. Then stop after 20-25 miles and see if it's pushing a lot out. I've never seen one that would leak too fast to safely make that trip.

 

Mark

[ChevyTech77]

It'll make it fine as long as it's not empty on fluid.

[tyhuck]

OK, the original infor I got was slightly skewed. Appearantly, its the front pinion seal that is leaking, not the axel tube seals. Would it still be Ok as long as there is oil in the center section?

[ChevyTech77]

Yup. Same difference.

[tyhuck]

Kool. Thanks.

 

Plus, from what Im seeing its much easier to do that repair yourself without buying or building special tools.

[Deconstruction]

pinion seal is easy compared to the axle seal, You won't have to pull the carrier out to replace it, But I might suggest a very powerful impact gun to remove the yoke