I've spent the past 2 weeks getting all the cob webs out of the Jeep in prep for a wheeling trip in a couple days. I was finishing up some odds and ends when I noticed fluid on my rear drum. Thought it was the wheel cylinder but turns out its the axle seal. Its a 3 hour drive to and from camp and suppose to be just light trails (atleast for my skill and rig level). Fluid level in the diff seems fine for now. I'm worried I've just run out of time to do the seal with my schedule. Would you guys run a leaky rear axle seal?

 

I would run as long as you carry extra fluid and check it.

 

yup, as long as its not spraying the inside of your wheels or leaving a little puddle you should be alright.

 

Its not dripping, but after driving around for a day I notice a few small streaks of dampness on the wheel/outside of the drum. I just remembered too that I did an axle swap a few year ago. I need to track down the guy who sold it to me for more info for a seal number. Its a police package D35 with 10" drums. So no idea what the seal is or ifs its c-clip or not.

 

It will probably be the standard seal for the year. What year and we can make an educated guess as to c clip or not.

 

You could spend the couple hours and fluids you would spend on that axle seal replacement swapping for a 8.25. Just sayin

 

Axle seals start to leak when the bearing is is starting to fail most of the time. Don't slam a seal on it without inspecting the axle shaft for signs of wear at the point the bearing rides.

 

I doubt it. Chromolys shafts and completely rebuilt a few thousand miles ago. I think the seal just dry rotted as I don't drive the jeep much any more. And no I won't swap to a dana 44 or 8.8 or 8.25 or whatever. I bought this axle built with gears, a super 35 package, diff guard, sleeved and locked for 150$.

 

Brakes are over rated.