'90 Cherokee front axle leak

[amazzoc]

I've got a pretty steady leak (about 1 drop every 8 or 10 seconds) of what looks to be oil from my front axle on the passenger side close to the wheel.

Noticed the drip when I was washing it today after having it out through some pretty rough back roads (actually it was an ATV trail...).

Any suggestions/advice would be helpful

Thanks!

[JDPascal]

The axle seal is leaking. The axle seals on most front axles are located next to the carrier side bearings and requires the removal of the carrier to change.

suggest you change the axle fluid and check the vent/vent tube for plugging.

Keep a check on it and if it keeps leaking, you'll have to bite the bullit and change it.

JD

[amazzoc]

Thanks JD

Any idea what might cause that to start leaking all of a sudden....or just the fact that its pushing 15 years old?

AM

[JDPascal]

Any one of a number of things of a combination.

seal wear, side gear wear, water in the oil over filling it, plugged vent not releasing pressure plus the work out you just gave it are all things that will combine to cause that leak.

Just a thought might be an axle tube full of other stuff too.

JD

[amazzoc]

Replaced the axle seals in the front. Had to disassemble the guts of the FWD machinery to get at it. Getting it back together was fun but everything seems to be fine now.

When I ordered the seals, I ordered them for a 1990, the model year when we bought it in September 1989...but the front axle had the big seal and little seal design like the 1989 model....not the 1990. Anybody know if this is a common thing?



Anyway thanks for the help...I think I'm hooked for life on AF.

Anthony

[JDPascal]

No prob. It is a great forum. the jeep one has to be one of the most active but I've only checked one or two others.

any indication of why those seals failed?

I'm always interested in the CAUSE..

Not sure about the seal applications for the model. Dale or xj31 might know as they seem to work on them all the time.

JD

[troy808]

is there a faster way to do it..I look down the axle tube and I can see that the seal is accesible from outside in. Anybody try to pull the seal out from the outside of the tubing and install from the outside in also. Im just curious. I want to try it.

I am working on the right side and can see the seal from the shift motor mount area. Do you think it could be done with out pulling the whole front end off?

[Ray H]

You can change the seal through the vacuum disconnect. Thats one of the few good things about that disconnect, you dont have to pull the carrier toi change the pass side seal.