I have the chrysler 8.25 rear in my cherokee. The fill hole has just the rubber plug, I've never drained/filled it as the previous owner said it was just changed, (he was straight with me about everything I've found wrong with it so far) Problem is that my driveway has a pretty steep slope and I park facing up, so the fluid sits against the fill plug and it's leaking from sitting like that so much. Has anyone else had this problem? apart from welding a nut to the existing cover and using a bolt to plug it, or replacing the cover altogether, is there another solution? The plug doesn't look like it's dry rotted or torn, but I'm thinking maybe I should try replacing it anyway... any suggestions?

 

Back into your driveway for now?

Remove plug add Rtv and cross your fingers would work as well

 

Can't tell for sure (phone pic?) but it looks like a long time sense those cover bolts were turned. Might want to change the gear oil just to be on the safe side. Get a diff cover gasket, gear oil, RTV sealer and a new rubber plug.

 

This was happening to me a few weeks ago. Trust me, go to the Jeep DEALERSHIP and get a new plug (no one else will have it). Get some new oil. A new gasket ring, take all those bolts off, drain it. Put the cover back on with the gasket and some sealant of some kind and fill her up, put the new plug in and it works like a charm!

 

As rusty as it is, I hope some cover bolts don't snap. Another option would be to get a new plug, take the XJ to a shop that has a diff suction pump and have the old oil sucked out. The shop will re-fill the diff with gear oil and have them pop the new plug in. That way the cover stays in place so no snapped cover bolts.

 

Yup, what he said. ^.. Or you can have a shop take the cover off, so if they snap the bolts its on them..

 

if it was just filled and you trust that it was - some leaking should be ok - just overfill as the plug is put in

 

That plug shouldn't leak a drop. Over filling the diff can cause leaks at the outer ends of the axle tubes. U don't want gear oil in the brakes. The proper gear oil level is at the bottom of, or just below, the fill hole.

 

PO was a certified Jeep tech, and worked for a stealership, so he most likely had access to a suction pump, which is how I'm figuring he did it, I may take it over to the auto shop on post and see if they have a pump to use, crappy part is if they don't and I do snap a bolt I can't just go get one... I'm thinking I may just pull up to the flat part where the wife's car usually is get a new plug and a bottle of fluid, top it off and plug it up... new question though, assuming the fluid in there doesn't look/smell toasted is there a way to tell if it's synthetic or not?

 

the plug can leak - especially if it is corroded (albeit a rubber one) - i have the same problem - a few drops a day would not pose a problem

 

Ask the guy if he used synthetic

 

If you're careful with the bolts, you shouldn't snap one. I just did the front and rear diff on my Jeep, and the front has NEVER been changed. (2000 MY) Just go slow and be careful. As far as the plug leaking, it may look okay, but the inside may be starting to deteriorate. Just replace it. If you're not sure if it is synthetic or not, just drain and fill with new.

 

Obviously the plug CAN leak, the pic is evidence of that. "a few drops a day would not pose a problem"......as long as u keep checking the diff dip stick or watching the dash gauge or noticing the red light so that u'll know when to add a few drops. Aren't we talking about a $2 rubber plug here?

 

There is no dipstick in the axle. and unless you have the Ultra-rare system sentry option there is no light.

Pull the plug. If oil runs out then it was overfilled to begin with and that is why it is leaking. Go to the dealer and get a new plug just for some cheap insurance.

Its sad that the POS D35 has a metal screw in plug but the ChyCo axle has a POS rubber plug.

 

Kind of ironic that the more vulnerable axle had a less vulnerable plug...