My transfer case is leaking where the range selector is I have a new oring and white plastic thing. On another forum a guy did a write up and said he removed his skid plate. Do I need to remove the skid plate has anyone else replaced the seal there.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-replace-the-np231-transfer-case-range-selector-shaft-seal.31021/

 

Yes, you should remove the skid plate. It's necessary to get proper access and clearance to work on the transfer case. The job is much harder, if not impossible, without removing it. The forum post you saw is correct.

 

I can get a wrench on it and have space to turn it do. I'll take it off if I need too. The forum poster has a tj and I have an xj though I saw the tj has a much bigger skid plate

 

Mine was leaking due to the incorrect o-ring being supplied in a rebuild kit. I fished out the incorrect o-ring and got in the correct o-ring without removing the crossmember, but it was a PITA, and I probably got lucky. It might have also helped that TC was freshly rebuilt.

I didn't remove my crossmember because my front suspension long arm mounts are integrated to the crossmember, so removing the cross member meant removing the entire front suspension. If you have a stock cross member, I'd remove it for the repair.

 

I did it without removing anything. Got a new oring in and put the retaining washer back and put it all back together. We shall see if it leaks