Front Differential Leaking not from cover
 

Dear friends,

I have had my '07 JKU for a short time, and the previous owner didnt treated so well and I have started to fixing.

A couple days ago I rtv the front cover since I saw leaks on the front differential. I cleaned the whole body of the diff then, but yesterday I just discovered some 'wet' areas on the differential body, it is not comming from the cover, is around it, in fact it is 'wet' (by oil) on both sides of the front and both sides of the rear next to the cover...I re-checked and IS NOT COMMING FROM THE COVER, I attached some pictures...

The whole body appeared to be repaired some time ago, the leakings are comming from the middle not from top..

Thanks in advance for any help

What is all of this black goop on here? RTV sealer?

Attachment 675063

If so, something is amiss. You mention repairs. Is it possible that the axle was damaged in an accident? Those tubes should be nice and clean. Here's a pic I just shot of mine (bear in mind it's 218.000 miles old) ...

Attachment 675064

There are seals just inside the pumpkin. Normally when they begin to leak you see drips at the end of the axle tubes (out by the wheels). But, if your tubes were damaged, then perhaps someone used some RTV to hide that the seals were leaking.

EDIT (had to go find this): On here you can see where one of the seals mounts (inside that orange area) with the diff cover and gearset pulled. There's one on each side of the pumpkin.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/d30seals/seal-7.jpg

After it's been pushed out of its seat (see it laying down?) ...

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/d30seals/seal-8.jpg

Well that is bizarre... I have never seen a housing leak there. I'm gonna say it's likely been critically damaged and someone has tried to weld it up.

Thanks a lot for your answers friends!

Yes, it pretty seemed like RTV or something, I didnt know the history, but as you said guys, it seemed like the "arms" were welded or something and was used RTV to cover the weldings and/or because started to leaking, pretty bad work.

Thank you for the images and clear explanation!

Now, as i see, I need to replace the differential, some recommendations? should I replace it with a Dana 30 or another option?
(actually my JKU is stock I have 255/70/r18 (which I have plans to replace them on some months by 35's and add a 2.5-3" lift (top). I dont do rock crawling, I do more trailing and beach riding for camping/fishing.)

Thanks again!

Well now I'm a curious from your links Mark. Is that an O-Ring? Or is that RTV inside there? I just replaced those seals not too long ago on my Dana 30 and I didn't have an o-ring or RTV right there.

In regards to those last 2 photos... First of all there is no need for that bead of silicon there. It does nothing...
Second, that is the old style seal. There is an upgraded 2 piece design that is much better.

I've had brand new 2-piece seals leak within 15k miles. They are different, but not sure necessarily "better". Most places still give you the typical style seal and they are just fine IMO. You can damage both of them just as easily if you go jamming axle shafts in recklessly.

Some might come with a right like that, some don't. Typically put a little RTV on em anyhow then tap em in to place.

There was a problem with the older 2pce seals but the latest revision has been great. But you must get Mopar seals. All the aftermarket seals are not the same.

Installing the axles properly and carefully is as important as installing the seals themselves..

Do you happen to have that Mopar part number handy? I just wanted to know for future reference.

Mopar upgrade axle seal PN 68304271AA