Hey all -

I'm doing a gear swap in my 2009 JK and when I pulled the rear axles there was a significant amount of oil in the tube. It was way more than other vehicles I've worked on. There's no evidence of a seal leak (i.e. no gear oil coming out on the brakes or ground). Is this just a case of the previous owner over filling the rear diff? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

I wouldn't give it a second thought. Oil in the rear axle tubes is good for the outer bearings.
When you get it all back together, make sure the oil level is to the bottom of the stock cover's fill hole, or a little above the bottom of the inside of the axle tube if you have aftermarket covers.

 

So you do gear swaps and don't know your bearings are lubed with the gear oil? This should be good.

 

Thanks for the smart a$$ comment...this is why I love internet forums. Yes I do gear swaps etc. As this is the first jeep I've worked on, and there was a lot more gear oil in the tubes than I'm used to in other vehicles, I asked the question.

 

Thanks. I appreciate it!

 

Your welcome!

 

OP, the JK rear axle holds 2.35 qts of lube. Filling to the bottom of the fill hole often is short quite a bit, particularly if the pinion has been rotated due to a lift. When you fill after your regear keep track of quantity when you fill. If you come up short, put the remainder in through the breather on the axle tube.