So I was out running some trails this morning and decided to hit a few mud puddles. All was going well until I hit what I now call "The widowmaker" Got bogged down on both diffs. Left me with nowhere to go and no way to get out alone.

Called on my niece and her BF with a K5 Blazer. Pulled me out no trouble at all.

The guy that pulled me out suggested that since my diffs were totally submerged,that I should drain the fluid and refill it.



I know people submerge their diffs all the time when they go out and play,is it absolutely necessary to flush and refill the diffs afterwards everytime??

 

The breather tube for your diff is actually a hose leading up into the engine compartment. Mine is tied loosely around my PCV --> Breather box tube. I think you should be OK.

Though I am not the be all end all authority on Jeeps, so some more input in this thread would help too. I was speaking merely for the front diff, I am not sure of the rear one.

 

i did the same with mine about 2 months ago and the pinion gear bearings went out on me cause i had bad axle seals and didnt see anything leaking and my axle caps were gone that go on the end of the axles were they enter the front end. I love playing with mine just make sure everything is sealed off good

 

Im pretty embarrassed to admit this,but this is the first time I have ever serviced the diff fluid on any of the vehicles I have owned. I have always been leary of taking the covers off of the diffs because I am afraid I wont get them to seal properly when I put them back on. I am somewhat a stickler for leaks.

I bit the bullet and popped the front diff housing off,after I couldnt find a drain plug. Wasnt as messy as I had imagined it would be. Pure "Milkshake" poured out. So that answers my own question.

After submerging axles...A flush and refill is mandatory for good health of the equipment.Im finding tiny grains of rocks as I spray the diff out with brake cleaner. Im gonna take my time,lay a nice even bead of Black RTV on the cover and torque the bolts to spec using a criss cross pattern. That should seal it perfectly.

 

the drain plug is in the cover it is a 3/8 drive ratchet located close to the bottom of the cover

 

No drain plugs, you have to pop off the covers UNLESS its an aftermarket cover. It was the cheap way out for the MFG.

 

U shouldnt have to service them if your axle seals are good. I had my jeep buried to the bottom of the doors in a shallow pond last week for a few hours til a buddy could come out with his winch. Axles are just fine

 

Yeah, as long as your seals are good, and your breathers
are high enough you should be fine.
I would go ahead and service your diffs anyhow
so you can see if you do have bad seals or not and so you
can put fresh gear oil in.
Ide just go to the part store and get there
diff cover seals, I got mine from auto zone
and never have any issues with the cover leaking.

 

To ensure they don't leak: Lay a good bead of silicone on the cover, and snug all the bolts down. Let the silicone sit for a few hours (overnight if possible) and then tighten. Let the silicone cure before filling.

I drain and refill mine every two years, so last time I drilled and tapped the cast housing for a 1/4" pipe plug. Now it is simple to drain.