I have a 93zj and I'm replacing the axle shaft seal. I took off the differential cover and in the bottom were 8 bolts not quite sure where they came from. Anybody have any ideas?

8 bolts have you been driving it? Which differential front or rear? Maybe whoever owned jeep before you thought they lost the cover bolts.

pic of said bolts?

The only bolts you can lose in there and possibly still be somewhat ok are the ring gear bolts. I dont see how 8 of them could have fallen out and not been digested through the gears.

Its the front different and I stopped driving it when it made god awful noises

if it was making god awful noises, then you can bet they are ring gear bolts

wow... any pics?? damage?

Not to much damage and ill have some pics tomorrow, next question is how do I take the gears out and put them back in when I get the seal fixed

I can write a couple paragraphs to explain how to remove the diff, but it really is a good time to buy a repair manual. The manual will go step by step and also provide the needed torque specs. some of the specs are kind of critical. If you are going that far, dont forget to replace the axle seals, they are in the axle tubes and are installed from inside the diff housing going out into the tubes ( requires diff removal ) because you will be right there. I fabbed up a seal driver to go through the axle tube to drive the new seals on. there is a special tool for them but I doubt a auto parts store will have one.

Ok cool thanks I just bought a Haynes repair manual