Hey everyone,

I had an axle seal leak that I discovered when I saw diff fluid coming from the axle housing. Obviously I must have a crack or hole somewhere in the axle housing (passenger side) as the diff oil didn't even make down to the hub.

Its a D44 Rubi axle with sleeves in it.

My question is should I be concerned about the leak coming from the axle housing itself (I think its from where the axle meets the pumpkin) or is this something others have seen. Anyone else have this happen or have experience with it and a fix? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. I tried to weld the area where the axle housing meets the pumpkin but no luck.

I can't find the crack or trace the leak as its relatively slow to build but clearly if oil can come out, water should be able to get in...especially as you cross deep waters. This is my concern and I was hoping someone can help solve or put my mind at peace that this is OK to have and still wheel safely through deep waters. Axle seal has been replaced and it no longer leaks but it kills me to know there's a crack/pin hole somewhere!

Thanks all in advance.

Vin

 

Post pictures of where you welded, and where the leak is.


Any chance it's coming from the diff cover?

I would check the oil level, then clean off the residue, and see where is starts to appear again.

 

Ronjenx

Diff cover was definitely not leaking and oil level was fine. I can't find the "crack" to take a picture of and the jeep is still in the shop right now (plus the welds are embarassing :-)).

I just thought the leak was coming from where the pumpkin and axle meet because that was where the oil pooled to drip to the floor but that didn't stop the fluid from coming out. Thanks for suggestions.

 

It may have just burped some oil out of the breather vent. Check your vent tube to see if it is disconnected or if it has oil on it.

 

I checked and it was dry...I'm thinking something happened when the shop drilled and welded the sleeves in the axle? I guess others haven't seen this happen much which worries me about the axle. Its definitely coming from the axle somewhere. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Is it your front differential? I have had oil changes where they let the motor oil spill on the axle and collect around the differential....giving the appearance that the front diff is leaking. Just a thought.

 

It is the front diff and I wish it were just oil but its definitely diff fluid from the smell and look of it. There is no doubt about the leak was originating from the axle seal leaking into the housing. The diff cover is definitely not leaking and the breather is not puking the oil.

I am positive it is diff oil and I had an axle seal leak, I'm just concerned about the axle housing now. Any thoughts on that? There must be some crack in it but I just can't find it and even if I do I wouldn't know what to do other than just hope I can weld it. Any thoughts on that? Thanks

 

It's not leaking anymore. Think its ok to leave it or do I have to find this thing and weld again? Thanks.

 

clean everything up with some brake cleaner and dry it off good. if you really do have a leak somewhere, this will help you to track it down easier. also, just to make sure, when you say it's leaking from the seal, are you saying that you thought oil was leaking from where the tubes meet up with the diff housing? also, did you check to see if maybe the leak was coming from the pinion seal?

 

Guys, I believe the guy is trying to say it is definitely leaking where the axle tubes meet the pumpkin. Why is everyone trying to tell him its not? Heres a pic of where I think hes talking about...