I just noticed that my rear differential is covered in oil. Anyone know of any good write ups or guides to changing the seal? I did a search on here and didn't find anything. For now I think I'm gonna load it up with the gear oil. Thanks.

 

Buy the correct diff cover gasket, some rtv sealer, gear oil and git 'er done. Don't over tighten the cover bolts.......doing so just crushes the gasket and squeezes out the rtv.

 

Seal, not gasket.

What axle?

 

FelPro makes a top notch gasket ($5) for the Chry 8.25" 10 bolt, so I use it, along with sealer.

 

It it leaking from the seal or the rubber plug? As said above replace the seal, with a felpro and a light coating of rtv. But if the rubber plug is bad it will still be a wet dirty cover.

 

It's the 8.25.

Sounds like a plan. I suppose it could just be the plug I'll take a good look before I replace the gasket (or seal). I've been out of town so I haven't had time to work on it. I'll check it out tomorrow. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll post my findings.

 

Bump. I am going to load a picture off of my phone. I took it today and I think that my plug is bad... Do they sell the plugs as well? or am I S.O.L?

 

I scrapped it a bit with my finger and it is def some form of fluid/oil

 

they sell replacement plugs at the auto parts stores...they rubber plugs suck. I bought replacement cover with the screw-type fill plug.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web..._1080634232___

 

it looks like it's just the fill plug that was slightly leaking. it happens with the rubber plugs b/c the plug isn't 100% seal-tight. nothing to really worry about, but just take that rubber plug off and check the fluid level.

i would change it anyway b/c it's not too difficult and at least it would give you peace of mind that the fluids changed and you're not running low.

 

This is a total n00b question but how exactly do I check the fluid in the differential? I have never done this before.

 

take that plug off and stick your finger in there if you cant feel anything fill it until it comes out the drain hole


so basically stick your finger in there, if its not wet, add some lube

 

Sounds easy enough. I have only had this jeep maybe a year and have never done anything more than the standard oil changes and under the hood fluids. Do you guys highly recommended cleaning the diff? and then filling it? or do you think i'll be good just adding fluid?

 

I would take the cover off and check the fluid, get a look at gears check for wear and/or metal shavings in the fluid.

Its as easy as taking a couple bolts off, scrapping the surface clean, put RTV on the surface and bolt the plate back on

 

Nice! When I'm ready to get my hands dirty I'll have to go in and see what i have under there. But I'm heading to florida for spring break so it may be a week or two!