Oil leaking out of the axle tube?

[Jeffb_79]

I started to develop a squeek from the front end the other day. After getting underneath and looking around, I've noticed that there's oil leaking out of the front passenger side axle.



Would I be correct in assuming this is an axle seal that needs replacing? Anything else it could be?
If it is the seal, is there anything else I should look at replacing while I'm down there?

[Jeffb_79]

If this is the axle seal, do I need to replace both inners and outers? Or just the outers?

[Fred]

The outers are more a dust shield just the inners. But have you done any work recently to the front Diff? If you overfill it thats wehre it will come out

[Jeffb_79]

I changed out diff fluids about 4 months ago. Nothing since then. And the leak is definitely new, I get under there usually every few weeks and have never noticed it or the squeek before.
From what I'm reading, the inners aren't something I should attempt to just jump into, having never working in the diff before. What can I expect to pay someone to take care of this?

[smahlau]

The outers are relatively easy to replace. but the inners require a press fitting in tight quarters; which requires tools you may or may not have.
The fact that you have a leak would make me guess that the outer went bad, grit got into the innner and wore out the rubber that holds the spring that seals.
in my pinion, your inners are probably bad too.

Just the same, Make sure it's not brake fluid first. That would be a much simpler problem to fix.
and as Fred says, you may have just bled of the extra fluid. and, (optimistically) your seal may or may not be damaged

If you can take the parts (axle and axle shaft) to a shop, they should throw them in for you without any really high cost. It cost me about 60 bucks to fix the same problems on my rears.
about 30 bucks in seals, and 30 bucks to put them in.

but you might find a mechanic that will do it for you on the vehicle for about the same or a little more without the head ache on your part.

The fact that it's in the front passenger side could run into other complications as you have an actuated (vaccum or electric depending on your set up)fork to engage that side of your front axle.
Which means you may have more seals to replace, but I'm not positive on that.
There are one piece axles that bypass the need for the actuator.
They cost about 75 bucks, and you just open that box and disable that fork. one less thing to go wrong.

good luck.

[Jeffb_79]

Just got quoted at $403 for 3hrs and parts to replace the inners and outters at the dealership. Cheapest I've found so far. Been quoted as high as $600 from other local shops.

[smahlau]

you can replace the axle for that!
It's that front actuator.
Might it be time for an axle up grade?

[Jeffb_79]

I doubt you'll find a rubicon 44 for $400. Used rubi 44's are going for about $1200 a piece. Waggy 44 I could get for $200, but would cost me over $1k to gear it and set it up and running good. If it was just a 30, I see those all the time for $200 or so. If it wasn't my DD axle upgrades would be on my mind, but for now I'll have to settle with replacing the inner seals and putting in greaseable outters.

[smahlau]

Try giving these guys a call.
http://www.daveysjeeps.com/
might or might not save you a few bucks.
Good luck

[GP4Play]

Have you checked your axle breather.If you've been out mudding they can get clogged, and the rise in temp from driveing ,cause's the oil to push pass seals, Just a thought but it did happen to me.