We have a 97 Cherokee with the 8.25 in the rear, already had the rear seal replaced, done spending money on it. It still leaks a little out of the rear axle outer seal. Thus, I want to periodically check the fluid level. However, I've read these take a certain amount and that you don't fill them to the bottom of the fill plug, if so that really sux as I have no way to accurately top it off. Any thoughts? Do you fill the stock 8.25 to the fill plug?

 

Correct, it is filled to the fill plug. The outer seals and bearings are easy to replace and inexpensive. The leaking oil saturates the brake drum and liners, making them useless. The main problem is safety, your brakes will not work correctly and can cause darting out of your lane if applied hard.

 

My understanding is 1" below the hole. Like you could really tell. Most people who have commented on this just fill, wait till it stops coming out, and put the plug back in. Right or wrong I do the same.

 

Fill to the plug.

 

It's leaking at the back of the diff where the drive shaft connects, the drums are bone dry, just checked. It's funny, already on this thread I have two answers on the level, nobody seems to know. This confuses the heck out of me. How can we not know for sure the fluid level on an XJ 8.25 after almost 20 years?

 

No, you've had 2 correct answers and one bad guess.

Bottom of the fill plug hole. Verified via my FSM.

 

4.4 pints or 2.2 quarts.

The answer to your question.........it's not that critical. 1/2" below or to the fill hole may be 2 ounces, nothing to worry about.

Fill it to the hole.


Edit......pints to quarts was wrong.

 

Okay, fill it to the fill plug, thanks guys

 

From the FSM for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee 8.25 Chrysler Rear Axle.

"2.08L (4.4pts) if you have TRAC-LOC include 4 ounces of Friction Modifier Additive."

When I changed out the gear lube when installing a PowerTrax no slip locker, I measure out the 4.4 pts and fed it into the housing. The fluid level was right at the access hole in the differential cover. Hope this helps..

 

What part of 'fill to plug' is confusing? The transfer case specifies the same manner of filling. Not necessary to measure it out first.

Dana 35 - 3.5 Pints (1.66L) SAE 75W-90
-Dana 44 - 4.0 Pints (1.89L) SAE 75W-90
-Chrysler 8.25 - 4.4 Pints (2.0L) SAE 75W-90
For towing and off-road use SAE 75-140 synthetic"

 

Pinion bearings are failing.

 

I have the oil with the friction modifier already in it but I still want to add the 4 ounces, is it possible to use too much?

 

no, it will just pour out the fill hole..

 

So, let's go another round with this one. I got my 1994 Cherokee Sport back in November. To the best of my knowledge, it is stock, so to the best of my knowledge it has the Chrysler 8.25 rear end (looked at pictures to verify). Regardless, here is what my owner's manual says. This is why I think people get confused.

Page 152 - "Front/Rear Axle Fluid-Check or Add - Lubricant should be 1/2" below the oil fill hole. Add lubricant only at the fill hole and only to the level specified above.Page 153 - "Mopar Gear Lubricant or equivalent SAE 75W-90 API-GL5 grade. Models with class III hitch Trailer Towing Package use SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant in the rear axle. Models equipped with Trac-Lok require an additive.

Capacity
Front - 3.125 U.S. pints/1.5L (yes, it does say pints)
Rear - 2.5 U.S. pints/1.2L

Page 176 - Mopar Gear Lubricant or equivalent of SAE 75W-90 (API-GL5). For trailer towing applications use a 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant in rear axle. Models equipped with Trac-Lok require an additive.

Now with all of that said, I have two questions.

1) My book says it takes about 1/2 of the amount of fluid that I keep reading on here. (4.4 pints according to Jeep Driver vs 2.5 pints according to my manual for the rear end). Common knowledge, of course, says put in however much oil it needs to fill it, but since I am ordering my oil, I don't want to order too much or too little. ( I am using Schaeffer Oil)2) I have Trac-Lok. I believe I have a class III towing hitch, although I am pretty sure it was put on aftermarket, since it has a U-Haul sticker. I don’t plan on towing with it, unless my truck is broke down, and then only the occassional mower to the shop type of hauling. The Cherokee is only my winter snow vehicle. It gets driven about once a month. What is the better gear oil for the rear end? Interpreting what it says on page 176, I would use 75W-140 only if I am going to tow on a regular basis.

Sorry to keep beating a dead horse - just want to do the right thing here.

Edit - I just found a field service manual online that states the XJ takes 2.5 pints in the rear axle. The YJ takes 4.4 pints. So, I have one answer to my questions. Now, about what viscosity......

 

4.4 pints or 2.5 QUARTS...not pints. Bottom line is fill it to the hole for 8.25. If you have the track loc, add the friction modifier BEFORE filling with gear oil. If you aren't going to be towing much, go with the viscosity recommended by the factory service manual. BTW there's a difference between the owners manual and FSM...is this what you're referring to when you say field service manual?