My jeep just started to squeal extremely loudly on sharpish to sharp right hand turns. The other day I went to change out the front right axle but didn't like the idea of installing a new one without a new seal and I had some trouble getting the hub off so I bought new hubs as well. So I put everything old back in the jeep. I've driven it a little since then, but haven't noticed any noise until today. The noise is so loud I'm quite concerned to even drive it right now in fear the wheel might come off or something. It's extremely loud - can't emphasize that enough! Any suggestions what I should check?


I suppose I should also add that I replaced the passenger side rear axle with a ten factory chromoly, but had trouble getting the left out. So I'm currently driving with two different rear axles - can't see that being any trouble though.

I've got a 2012 JKU Sport

 

I would start with looking around the inner C and other areas near rotating parts for any signs of contact with parts that they shouldn’t be making contact with. If you don’t see any evidence of disturbed metal then I would jack up the front end, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and turn the right wheel by hand and try to duplicate the noise. Once you’re able to duplicate the noise by hand, tracking down where it’s coming from should be pretty easy.

 

Any chance you can record the noise? Talking metal on metal rubbing? Sound like sticking brake caliper/pad? Can you pinpoint more the location of the sound?

Just as an aside, changing a seal up front isn't a 5 minute job. There's no problem installing a replacement shaft with the old seal. Just be careful putting that shaft in. Worst case is further down the line you notice the seal leaking, but heck, disassembling the other side, cracking open the diff and removing the carrier just to replace a seal that isn't yet leaking is a decent task.

 

One of these seals?

 

Those aren’t factory seals. The seals that resharp was referring to are towards the inner axle just outside of the differential. The seals you mention may work, I’m not sure. I would bet that they wouldn’t be a good solution to a leaking axle seal since you’ll essentially fill your axle tube with gear oil.

edit: it appears those seals aren’t intended to fix a leaky axle seal. Their purpose is to stop any trail dirt, mud, etc from getting inside the axle tube. They advertise that this debris can damage the axle seal resulting in a leak or contaminated gear oil. To me, those seals seem a little gimmicky. I could be wrong but I don’t think they would benefit you much.

 

I meant to respond this morning and then got jammed up. Those are external seals that had a little traction for a bit years ago. People would debate them back and forth. I lean towards the opinion that those external seals are a bad idea and just silly. Many would report that water can crap could still penetrate those seals, and then would be trapped in the tube cuz it couldn't get back out. Then, if you did have an axle seal crap out (the real internal seals), the oil leaking past that would never make its way out to the C, which is when you usually spot it and realize you have a leaking seal. IDK bout you guys, but when I have a leaking seal, I want to know about it asap, not just keep letting gear oil exit my diff without knowing.

 

Suggest jacking each wheel off the ground, then turn and forcefully move the tire looking for free play and listen for abnormal noise.

Like resharp01 and sv-dude said, those outer aftermarket seals for the front axle can be more trouble with little benefit. The factory seals are inboard, and the whole differential has to come apart to change them.