Leaing front Diff
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere In, IA
Leaing front Diff
All,
I just got my JK back from the dealer for a warranty repair of a leak from my front diff. It was leaking where the axle went into the diff on the passenger side. Rather then replace seals, from what I can tell, they smeared the joint with black epoxy. . . I'm no expert but this seems like a BS backyard mechanic fix. Anyone else have this leak? If so what was done to fix it?
Thanks
Larry
I just got my JK back from the dealer for a warranty repair of a leak from my front diff. It was leaking where the axle went into the diff on the passenger side. Rather then replace seals, from what I can tell, they smeared the joint with black epoxy. . . I'm no expert but this seems like a BS backyard mechanic fix. Anyone else have this leak? If so what was done to fix it?
Thanks
Larry
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
What did they say they did? It would be near impossible to know if they did or didn't replace the seals unless you were standing right there. Sometimes you are just at the mercy of good ol' honesty.
As for the Black epoxy?????
what joint are you talking about?????
the black plastic ring at the axle tube end is there just there to keep rocks and debris from entering the tube....don't know why they would put epoxy on that.....the actual "fluid" seals are inside the tube were it enters the center section.
If it is leaking from where the tube actually enters the center section it needs to be welded. (not epoxyed) this can be done from the outside. replacing the seals will not help as they are pressed into the inside of actual axle tube.
As for the Black epoxy?????
what joint are you talking about?????the black plastic ring at the axle tube end is there just there to keep rocks and debris from entering the tube....don't know why they would put epoxy on that.....the actual "fluid" seals are inside the tube were it enters the center section.
If it is leaking from where the tube actually enters the center section it needs to be welded. (not epoxyed) this can be done from the outside. replacing the seals will not help as they are pressed into the inside of actual axle tube.
Last edited by Fly-Attack; Oct 14, 2010 at 04:56 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere In, IA
Leaking Front Diff
According to the sheet they said that they "Resealed" the diff. Here is a picture of what they did. I took it from the passenger side of the jeep.
What did they say they did? It would be near impossible to know if they did or didn't replace the seals unless you were standing right there. Sometimes you are just at the mercy of good ol' honesty.
As for the Black epoxy?????what joint are you talking about?????
the black plastic ring at the axle tube end is there just there to keep rocks and debris from entering the tube....don't know why they would put epoxy on that.....the actual "fluid" seals are inside the tube were it enters the center section.
If it is leaking from where the tube actually enters the center section it needs to be welded. (not epoxyed) this can be done from the outside. replacing the seals will not help as they are pressed into the inside of actual axle tube.
As for the Black epoxy?????
what joint are you talking about?????the black plastic ring at the axle tube end is there just there to keep rocks and debris from entering the tube....don't know why they would put epoxy on that.....the actual "fluid" seals are inside the tube were it enters the center section.
If it is leaking from where the tube actually enters the center section it needs to be welded. (not epoxyed) this can be done from the outside. replacing the seals will not help as they are pressed into the inside of actual axle tube.
Last edited by ISULarry; Oct 14, 2010 at 05:20 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere In, IA
Try this picture thing again!
What did they say they did? It would be near impossible to know if they did or didn't replace the seals unless you were standing right there. Sometimes you are just at the mercy of good ol' honesty.
As for the Black epoxy?????what joint are you talking about?????
the black plastic ring at the axle tube end is there just there to keep rocks and debris from entering the tube....don't know why they would put epoxy on that.....the actual "fluid" seals are inside the tube were it enters the center section.
If it is leaking from where the tube actually enters the center section it needs to be welded. (not epoxyed) this can be done from the outside. replacing the seals will not help as they are pressed into the inside of actual axle tube.
As for the Black epoxy?????
what joint are you talking about?????the black plastic ring at the axle tube end is there just there to keep rocks and debris from entering the tube....don't know why they would put epoxy on that.....the actual "fluid" seals are inside the tube were it enters the center section.
If it is leaking from where the tube actually enters the center section it needs to be welded. (not epoxyed) this can be done from the outside. replacing the seals will not help as they are pressed into the inside of actual axle tube.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 1
From: NORTH JERSEY
That looks like a ghetto hack job. With the proper seal there is no need for silicone. Looks like they didn't replace the seal, but smeared rtv on it. I would take it back.
What's that black on the drive shaft... paint??
sent from DroiD.
What's that black on the drive shaft... paint??
sent from DroiD.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere In, IA
The black is some sort of a sleeve that was there before I took it to them. . . .not sure what it's purpose is.
Larry
Larry
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 686
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From: Middle River, MD
pretty hacky if you ask me 
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JK Jedi
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 1
From: NORTH JERSEY
sent from DroiD.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 3
From: Alberta
WOW! And they are an actual dealership? That's warranty repair? I think not!
If you were leaking fluid from that exact location you get back in there and DEMAND a new axle as those tubes are press fit into the housing and should NOT be leaking at all....cracked housing? Cracked tube? That's a potential structural issue that you will regret later on when it crumbles on ya or that tube pops out on the trail! ....good lord
...seriously
If you were leaking fluid from that exact location you get back in there and DEMAND a new axle as those tubes are press fit into the housing and should NOT be leaking at all....cracked housing? Cracked tube? That's a potential structural issue that you will regret later on when it crumbles on ya or that tube pops out on the trail! ....good lord
...seriously
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
A good clean weld ( all the way around the tube ) should do it. We use to do it all the time to old bronco's and CJ's with no problems.
I would NOT take it back to those tards though or you'll end up worse off. Take it to a good welding shop or fabricator and they can prob do it right for less than $100.00 ( ask to see some of thier work )
Just wondering....did you buy this new from the dealer or did you buy it from a PO. that sleeve thing maybe a prior attempted fix. In that case you may want to look for an upgrade....RockJock ????
I would NOT take it back to those tards though or you'll end up worse off. Take it to a good welding shop or fabricator and they can prob do it right for less than $100.00 ( ask to see some of thier work )
Just wondering....did you buy this new from the dealer or did you buy it from a PO. that sleeve thing maybe a prior attempted fix. In that case you may want to look for an upgrade....RockJock ????