I've got a leaking front dana 30 axle in my '91 XJ. It's the HP non disconnect style axle and it's leaking out the passenger side axle tube. Would this mean one of the inner seals is shot and allowing gear fluid to escape out the axle tube?
This axle also has CV style shafts. One of the only XJ's I've ever seen or known with CV shafts. The CV boots have been torn/shot since I've owned it and never had any leaks until now. Do the CV boots have anything to do with sealing the axle tubes?
I'm trying to spend as little as possible cause I have another HP Dana 30 that I'm building with 4.10 gears and u-joint style shafts but it's not even close to being ready to install yet and don't want to put much money in the axle that's under my Jeep as funds are tight.

 

Yea that would be the inner axle shaft seal went bad, Not too hard to change. Google it and you will find lots of info and pics. Found out today the CV axles came in the grands, a torn boot will allow dirt to get in there and ruin it quicker.

 

It's fairly easy to replace a seal. The key is keeping track of the shims when you remove the carrier. As long as you reinstall the shims the same way they came out, you should be all good. It may take some leverage and force to remove the carrier though without a spreader. Good Luck!!