Dana 44 rear wheel seal

are you sure it is bearing grease ? there isn't that much grease needed to pack a bearing.

I don't know what type axles are in TJ's but if the bearing is pressed on and you need to replace the outer seal and or bearing you need a press. I had mine pressed off and on by a machine shop (but that was on a cj)

are you sure it is bearing grease ? there isn't that much grease needed to pack a bearing.

I don't know what type axles are in TJ's but if the bearing is pressed on and you need to replace the outer seal and or bearing you need a press. I had mine pressed off and on by a machine shop (but that was on a cj)

Yes it is rear end lube 90 wt gear oil I think.

so it's not bearing grease, but gear oil. if that's pushed out through the outer axle seal and fill plug you have something else going on, unless you really over filled it. (90w gear oil smells almost sweet btw) I don't think bearings in a TJ axle are lubed by gear oil I So your inner seal is leaking too.

Can you flat tow a tj even? (in older jeeps transfer cases don't like flat towing). I would check what is going on, seals usually start leaking gradually not just fail completely once of a sudden. It sounds like gear oil was pushed out through the axle seals and fill plug pretty quick.

You probably need to have the bearing pressed off to replace the outer seal. (and at that point you might as well replace that bearing)

Normally when I see gear oil coming 'out' of the fill hole, that means the diff got filled with water. This will also make it come out the wheel ends because the seals only hold back splash, not liquid oil pressing against them.

Have you offroaded and crossed any deep puddles or creeks?

I would be draining the fluid out and be checking it before committing to thinking a seal or bearing has failed. I then would be refilling it to the right level and be driving it around for a while to see if the leak continues or stops.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build Photos:

I really was not very rough with it this weekend and the only water was only about 4 inches deep. I am going to change the fluid. I did get in some mud is it possible the vent got plugged? I towed it faster than I ever have some as high as 75 mph. I wonder if the heat and possible over full may have pushed it out. I read on the net here that right side rear seal failures are common.

I also read that the leak could be on the seal OD and not from the lip on the axel. In this case it could be repaired with some rtv on the OD and the brg might not have to come off.

When I got back yesterday I checked and fluid came out the fill hole so I know it had to be overfilled.

I washed as much off the back of the wheel and wheel well to see if it leaks any more. The wife drove it today and all is dry. Will check it better Sat and replace pads I know it has to be soaked.

Thanks Don

Yes it is very possible the vent got plugged which can cause overpressure when it got hot towing it so it blew out the overfill. Overfilled parts that heat up are never a good thing, leaks usually result from it.

Mike

I would be surprised if the vent got plugged up, but than again I have been surprised a few times.

If you had a bunch of water in it, oil can run out (it's lighter than water).. but running the axle 'mixes' it and your gear oil looks 'milky' when that happens.