Hello everyone. I just picked up a nice 2001 XJ and I am still getting familiar with it. Once I got it home I put it up on my lift and immediately discovered a rear axle seal leaking so the fun begins. Any tips on how to identify the axle? Looking on YouTube there seem to be a couple possible axles. I may just have to take it apart before buying parts.

 

Welcome! I saw that rig on CL for a while - it looks mint! I love the Icon wheels.

If the drain plug is on the right, it's a Chrysler 8.25. If it's on the left, it's a Dana 35. https://www.quadratec.com/jeep-facto...fication-chart

 

Thanks Battle, I have actually looked at that axle ID page on the Quadratec site and to be honest, as it relates to the rear axle, I think they have the Dana 35 diff cover pictured upside down because the ring gear relief is on the wrong side. That said my cover looks like the Dana 35 cover only inverted from the Quadratec pic. The Dana 35 cover here in this post appears to be oriented correctly.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/axle-info-148057/

 

Ah, good call - that was a brain fart moment. All the 8.25s I've had used a little rubber grommet as a drain plug rather than a threaded plug.