Just crawled under the jeep to grease some zerks. Noticed 2 things. I have 3 questions.
#1 An oil leak from the rear of the front diff. Wondering if it's a pinion seal? I just had 5.38 gears installed 2000 miles ago, so could it be excess oil escaping?
#2 Never really checked so I didn't notice before but my front drive shaft has some play in it while in park. I can twist it by at least a 1/4 inch each direction. My rear drive shaft does not move. Is this normal?
#3 Are #1 and #2 related or should I just relax and have a pint?

Thanks!

 

You should take it back to the shop that installed the gears. Thats not normal it sounds like they missed the gear set up.

 

If you can move it that much then you have excessive backlash and they should have installed a new pinion seal which it sounds like they did not. I would take it back and make them fix the backlash and install a new pinion seal.

 

you have a bad pinion seal and its gonna need to be replaced. but most likely you gear set up is ok. there is no play in the rear drive shaft because the trans is in park or in gear if its a six speed which is holding it from moving. in the front you are feeling any slop from the pinion yoke all the way out to the end of the axles not just backlash. the only way to check your backlash is to pull your axles and measure off the ring gear with a dial indicator. i know my set up on my gears is dead nutts i did it myself and i have the same thing what you would tihink would be excessive movement in the front driveshaft but its normal. if your gears arent whining and maybe in another 1000 mile change your diff oil, look for any metal if its clean your good to go.