Leaky Differential

The differential of my '98 Trooper is leaking fluid from the area of the front seal.

I understand it could be a plugged breather and I will check that but, given my luck, I may need to replace the seal.

The shop manual says I need a J-8614-01 special tool to remove the flange nut and a J-37263 Seal Installer to install the seal.

It then says, to "Adjust pinion preload:

a. Measure the bearing preload by using a torque meter (?) and note the scale reading required to rotate the flange.

b. Continue tightening the flange bolt until the specified starting torque is obtained. STARTING TORQUE 1.1-1.6 N-m

NOTE Pinion torque should be in the range of 298-380 N-m."

Question #1, Can I do it without the Flange nut tool?

Question #2, Can I do it without the Seal Installer?

Question #3, What do these torque readings mean? I believe step "a" means find out how much torque it takes to start turning the differential then somehow keep it from turning and add 1.1-1.6 N-m more torque. But if the pinion torque should be in the range of 298-380 N-m, how the he** can you measure 1.1 on top of 280. I must be missing something.

Any ideas?

Are these the only problems I am facing?

Any idea how much the dealer wants for a new seal or is there a better source?

Thanks in Advance

Pete

you may have more luck asking this on the wire. I believe the preloads are serious business and it is best to make sure they are correct. I think I read that on the wire when someone asked a similar question.

marc

What do you mean by "on the wire"?

the wire is a site like this.

www.4x4wire.com.

There is a lot more traffic there that would be better suited to answer this question. Those guys have more experience with this type of thing. It is also a good place to ask questions.

marc