Rear axle/diff problems - pressure building up in diff

Riaan du Plessis · 04-30-2009, 10:48 AM

Hi,

I am the owner of a 1999 Cherokee Sport 2.5TD. The vehicle have 55000 miles / 90000km on the clock with a full service history.

Recently the rear diff pushed oil through the breather pipe. It seems that some pressure is building up in the diff.No bearing noise is evident, the oil has been replaced and it is still doing the same.

It is the 1st time ever this happened - I'd really appreciate your advice regarding the matter

Riaan

XJ Stryker · 04-30-2009, 12:32 PM

The only thing I can think of at the moment since this has never happened to me either is Over filled diff

mike37 · 04-30-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riaan du Plessis

Hi,

I am the owner of a 1999 Cherokee Sport 2.5TD. The vehicle have 55000 miles / 90000km on the clock with a full service history.

Recently the rear diff pushed oil through the breather pipe. It seems that some pressure is building up in the diff.No bearing noise is evident, the oil has been replaced and it is still doing the same.

It is the 1st time ever this happened - I'd really appreciate your advice regarding the matter

Riaan

do you drive through water a Lot
you could have sucked up some water and now its over full

Riaan du Plessis · 05-01-2009, 08:06 AM

Hi,

Thank so much, but I did drain the oil left in the diff and refill to the acceptable level.

I really appreciate your feedback.

Riaan
riaan@propertypicker.co.za
Rustenburg
South Africa

Riaan du Plessis · 05-01-2009, 08:09 AM

Hi Mike,

No I am not doing serious 4-wheel routes, and I do stay away from water features.

But thank so much for your suggestion, I really appreciate.

Riaan
riaan@propertypicker.co.za
Rustenburg
South Africa

zr2toxj · 05-01-2009, 08:42 AM

Is this the Dana35?

I recently bought an XJ with the D35 & the previous owner installed Alloy 30 spline axles and an ARB locker. It is doing the same thing, blowing gear oil out of the vent tube.

So I was reading through the literature for the ARB & they claim some D35 have poor drainage from the axle tubes back into the pumpkin and recommend using a dremel tool on the bearing race for each side.

OverlandXJ · 05-01-2009, 09:40 AM

Hello Riaan, welcome.

This is a common occurance. What it sounds like happened is the pressure release on the end of your breather line got stuck (caked with mud/dirt etc till it built enough pressure to pop it open and threw some gear lubericant with it.

Had it been working properly it would have released pressure without throwing lube with it.

Along the unirail you'll see where that breather terminates to a plastic release valve. Clean that good and make sure it can open with slight pressure. Hopefully that will fix your problem.

Riaan du Plessis · 05-03-2009, 04:16 AM

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

How do I find out what kind of diff it is?

Nothing has been changed on the diff since it was bought new in 1999, it was going well for 50000 miles and it is the first time that I do experience problems.

Riaan

Riaan du Plessis · 05-03-2009, 04:28 AM

Hello,

Once again thank you for the advice.

I cleaned the plastic release valve and the diff was still pushing oil through.

I then fitted a bottle, with enough vents in the cork, on the same level than the release valve to find out how much oil it is actually pushing through.

Over a distance of more or less 30 miles it pushed out about a desert spoon full of oil.

If comparing the "temperature" of the diff, after driving the distance mentioned with my other SUV, a Isuzu , it seems to be the same.

If you perhaps come across something else I'd appreciate if you will let me know.

Regards

Riaan du Plessis
riaan@propertypicker.co.za
Rustenburg
South Africa

04-30-2009, 10:48 AM	#1
Riaan du Plessis Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: 2.5TD Transmission: 5 Speed manual	Rear axle/diff problems - pressure building up in diff Hi, I am the owner of a 1999 Cherokee Sport 2.5TD. The vehicle have 55000 miles / 90000km on the clock with a full service history. Recently the rear diff pushed oil through the breather pipe. It seems that some pressure is building up in the diff.No bearing noise is evident, the oil has been replaced and it is still doing the same. It is the 1st time ever this happened - I'd really appreciate your advice regarding the matter Riaan

04-30-2009, 12:32 PM	#2
XJ Stryker The CF Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Radcliff, Ky Posts: 4,721 My Photos 87 Wagoneer Year: 87 Model: Wagoneer Engine: 4.0 I6 Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: 242 Front Axle: Dana 30 Rear Axle: Dana 44 Tires: Hankook dyna pro 30's Lift Specifications: RC 3in lift Misc Accessories: Lots of Rust	The only thing I can think of at the moment since this has never happened to me either is Over filled diff __________________ 1987 Black Jeep Wagoneer 4.0L I6 242 30/44 3in RC 1987 Tan Jeep Wagoneer 4.0L I6 242 30/44 3in RC 2006 F-150 King Ranch 5.4L V-8 Triton Check out my Waggy build here!

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05-01-2009, 08:06 AM	#4
Riaan du Plessis Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: 2.5TD Transmission: 5 Speed manual	Hi, Thank so much, but I did drain the oil left in the diff and refill to the acceptable level. I really appreciate your feedback. Riaan riaan@propertypicker.co.za Rustenburg South Africa

05-01-2009, 08:09 AM	#5
Riaan du Plessis Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: 2.5TD Transmission: 5 Speed manual	Hi Mike, No I am not doing serious 4-wheel routes, and I do stay away from water features. But thank so much for your suggestion, I really appreciate. Riaan riaan@propertypicker.co.za Rustenburg South Africa

05-01-2009, 08:42 AM	#6
zr2toxj Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 123 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Transmission: Auto Transfer Case: 231 Front Axle: D30 4.56 ARB Rear Axle: D35 30 spline 4.56 ARB Tires: 31's street & 34 LTB's trail Lift Specifications: RE 4.5 Misc Accessories: OBA, KC Titaniums,header, Hi-Flow exhaust, Currie Correct steer	Is this the Dana35? I recently bought an XJ with the D35 & the previous owner installed Alloy 30 spline axles and an ARB locker. It is doing the same thing, blowing gear oil out of the vent tube. So I was reading through the literature for the ARB & they claim some D35 have poor drainage from the axle tubes back into the pumpkin and recommend using a dremel tool on the bearing race for each side.

05-01-2009, 09:40 AM	#7
OverlandXJ ::CF Moderator:: Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bristol,Pa Posts: 1,436 My Photos 94 Cherokee Year: 94 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0L Transmission: AW-4 Transfer Case: NP242 w/SYE Front Axle: D30 4:56 gearing Rear Axle: D44 4:56,lockrite,discs Tires: 33x10.5 BFG MT Lift Specifications: RE Longarm w/Claytons crossmember Misc Accessories: Rack,Snorkel,Winch,Bumpers,OD/Camo,RTT	Hello Riaan, welcome. This is a common occurance. What it sounds like happened is the pressure release on the end of your breather line got stuck (caked with mud/dirt etc till it built enough pressure to pop it open and threw some gear lubericant with it. Had it been working properly it would have released pressure without throwing lube with it. Along the unirail you'll see where that breather terminates to a plastic release valve. Clean that good and make sure it can open with slight pressure. Hopefully that will fix your problem.

05-03-2009, 04:16 AM	#8
Riaan du Plessis Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: 2.5TD Transmission: 5 Speed manual	Hi, Thank you for your reply. How do I find out what kind of diff it is? Nothing has been changed on the diff since it was bought new in 1999, it was going well for 50000 miles and it is the first time that I do experience problems. Riaan

05-03-2009, 04:28 AM	#9
Riaan du Plessis Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6 My Photos 1999 Cherokee Year: 1999 Model: Cherokee Engine: 2.5TD Transmission: 5 Speed manual	Hello, Once again thank you for the advice. I cleaned the plastic release valve and the diff was still pushing oil through. I then fitted a bottle, with enough vents in the cork, on the same level than the release valve to find out how much oil it is actually pushing through. Over a distance of more or less 30 miles it pushed out about a desert spoon full of oil. If comparing the "temperature" of the diff, after driving the distance mentioned with my other SUV, a Isuzu , it seems to be the same. If you perhaps come across something else I'd appreciate if you will let me know. Regards Riaan du Plessis riaan@propertypicker.co.za Rustenburg South Africa

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