1999 Rear Main Deal

[onlyXJ]

I have a 1999 Cherokee Sport, I got it in November 2005, it's been one problem after another ever since, still love the vehicle though, I don't know why. Anyways back to the new issue, I think that my rear main seal is leaking oil, although I'm not 100% sure because my high pressure line for the power steering is leaking, no pouring, out power steering fluid everywhere and I can't tell if it's oil and/or power steering fluid that is all over the ground and under the engine bay. But if it is the rear main seal I wanted to know if I have to move the transmission back to change it or if I could just take the oil pan off and change it like that. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know, I already know I have to fix the HP line, hopefully I don't have to replace the rear main seal.

[gtmud]

You should be able to replace, if youneed to, the rear seal with the tranny bolted in place. However, you might need to unbolt the engine and raise it up a little to get the clearance for the pan to drop out. Word of advise, get the Power Steering leak fixed first, its allot easier and less expensive.!
Remember that the rear seal is a 2 piece seal, be very careful with the mian cap.!!

[AlohaBra]

I'll second the HI pressure power steering replace.
It will blow, then you will be up the creek. I had two do that...one needed a tow. Smokes real bad too and makes a mess of the environment.

Main seal is tolerable...try new oil. Clean everthing.

[Stick89]

Originally Posted by gtmud

You should be able to replace, if youneed to, the rear seal with the tranny bolted in place. However, you might need to unbolt the engine and raise it up a little to get the clearance for the pan to drop out. Word of advise, get the Power Steering leak fixed first, its allot easier and less expensive.!
Remember that the rear seal is a 2 piece seal, be very careful with the mian cap.!!

There is a one piece seal but that entails dropping the X fer case along with the tranny....whole buncha$$$$$$$$$$ just in labor....
as far as clearance to remove the pan...IF this is a 4WD vehicle...jackup front axle remove top shock mounting bolts ...while axle is still up place jackstands under the sub frame...by doing this it allows the axle to come down low enought to allow the pan to be easier to get out.
IF it's not 4WD you still can drop the front suspension by removing the shock top bolts........
The power steering leak would be the cheeeeeeeeeep way to start though......

[brainyass]

Try here for pointers.

http://www.jeepin.com/features/howto.asp

[AlohaBra]

If you haven't done it yet, I would replace the power steering hose an clean the engine. Anything that leaks up there will run down the left side of the engine along the oil pan-engine seam and end up dripping by the bellhousing. That where the water leak from my water pump was dripping from when it was making a puddle under the bellhousing.
I have a 97 4.0L I bought new, and have 132K miles on it. The main seal might seep, there is absolutely no leak under the Jeep on the ground. So mine is actually older than yours and I use synthetic too.