Rear Axle seal leaks - Must do

[DankjeeP]

I just replaced a rear axle shaft due to a leak. Come to find out, it's a lot easier to replace the whole shaft than just the seal.
What I found out in the process is the reason the original seal failed. I think this is what is plaguing a lot of M220 D44 axle seals.
Once you pull the shaft, if you run your finger around the opening that the seal goes into, it is not 100% smooth like it NEEDS to be.
If you also run your finger on the surface where the seal sits, it has a coating that has some ridges that the seal is supposed to seal against.
I think what is happening is some of the material deposited in the seal surface is bleeding out to the edge, and when you push the new seal in,
it damages the seal, causing leaks. What I did was take a rat tail (round) and very carefully go around the hole and file off the excess until
it is smooth. Seriously very little pressure until the edge feels clean. Hope your next axle replacement goes well.

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[WILDHOBO]

I just replaced a rear axle shaft due to a leak. Come to find out, it's a lot easier to replace the whole shaft than just the seal.
What I found out in the process is the reason the original seal failed. I think this is what is plaguing a lot of M220 D44 axle seals.
Once you pull the shaft, if you run your finger around the opening that the seal goes into, it is not 100% smooth like it NEEDS to be.
If you also run your finger on the surface where the seal sits, it has a coating that has some ridges that the seal is supposed to seal against.
I think what is happening is some of the material deposited in the seal surface is bleeding out to the edge, and when you push the new seal in,
it damages the seal, causing leaks. What I did was take a rat tail (round) and very carefully go around the hole and file off the excess until
it is smooth. Seriously very little pressure until the edge feels clean. Hope your next axle replacement goes well.

Nice work. Any pictures? I d love to see the tube without an axle to get an idea of the process. I’m assuming this gets pressed in from inside the diff housing?

 

[DankjeeP]

No pics sorry

 

[mdyucca]

Had the same problem on my 21 Gladiator. Dealer replaced the axle/bearing/seal assembly. 5k miles later it started seeping differential fluid again. There is a recall on some 2021 axles for subject leak. I understand the fix now is to replace the entire axle assembly.

 

[DankjeeP]

Makes sense, it's a process error that wasn't caught. Just hope others take the time to check their holes.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I just replaced a rear axle shaft due to a leak. Come to find out, it's a lot easier to replace the whole shaft than just the seal.
What I found out in the process is the reason the original seal failed. I think this is what is plaguing a lot of M220 D44 axle seals.
Once you pull the shaft, if you run your finger around the opening that the seal goes into, it is not 100% smooth like it NEEDS to be.
If you also run your finger on the surface where the seal sits, it has a coating that has some ridges that the seal is supposed to seal against.
I think what is happening is some of the material deposited in the seal surface is bleeding out to the edge, and when you push the new seal in,
it damages the seal, causing leaks. What I did was take a rat tail (round) and very carefully go around the hole and file off the excess until
it is smooth. Seriously very little pressure until the edge feels clean. Hope your next axle replacement goes well.

Funny semi-related story: The D44 rear end on the WJ grand Cherokee was the same way in terms of pulling the whole axle to replace the seal (it was pressed onto the axle).

Back when I had one, I didn’t have a press, local shop wanted ~$55 or so bucks to press a new seal on. Pull-a-part had WJ’s a plenty though, and a whole axle was like $30, so I just found a WJ that had a clean back wheel (when the seal was bad it’d throw it out on the wheel like brake dust but thicker) and pulled the whole thing.

popped it in the new one and drove it for another few years, then sold it, and the new owner also drove it for several years with no issues

 

[caryt]

Any link to this..dealer replacing the complete axle assembly on '21's
Right side is leaking and left side flange is bent all covered but over a month and dealer cannot get a shaft..so also doesn't want to do the leak without the left shaft.

Had the same problem on my 21 Gladiator. Dealer replaced the axle/bearing/seal assembly. 5k miles later it started seeping differential fluid again. There is a recall on some 2021 axles for subject leak. I understand the fix now is to replace the entire axle assembly.

 

[DankjeeP]

I just went to Dana and got Chromo shaft for $235. Takes about 2 hours tops to replace one.

Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT - Dana 44 AdvanTEK Wide Track ELD Rear Left PN-10043168 Dana Spicer
Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT - Dana 44 AdvanTEK Wide Track ELD Rear Right PN-10043169 Dana Spicer
Northridge has them in stock also
https://www.northridge4x4.com/search?q=10043169&hPP=21&idx=products&p=0

Dealer has long wait for appointment and told me I didn't have a warranty on the axels any more since it was re-geared. Don't care, it's easy to do.

 

[mdyucca]

Any link to this..dealer replacing the complete axle assembly on '21's
Right side is leaking and left side flange is bent all covered but over a month and dealer cannot get a shaft..so also doesn't want to do the leak without the left shaft.

I don’t have a link or anything official just what I have heard.

 

[DylanM]

Any link to this..dealer replacing the complete axle assembly on '21's
Right side is leaking and left side flange is bent all covered but over a month and dealer cannot get a shaft..so also doesn't want to do the leak without the left shaft.

I'm pretty sure it's a misunderstanding or improper use of terminology. What the dealers have replaced for the leak is the affected axle shaft assembly, not the entire rear axle.

 

[caryt]

19-4, dealer is telling me its just a seal...either way I see 1 tons in the future is anything happens again.

 

[caryt]

Update..still no fix as parts not available... never drips on the ground so waiting till Jeep gets it fixed or I swap out axles whichever comes first.

 

[DankjeeP]

Update..still no fix as parts not available... never drips on the ground so waiting till Jeep gets it fixed or I swap out axles whichever comes first.

Waiting for Jeep is just silly at this point. So many options.
1. Fix it yourself -upgrade to chomo - I already gave links and other stuff
2. Go big and get 1 tons

Waiting is just your wallet, stop playing.

 

[caryt]

Thanks I know my options..built many Jeeps etc over the last 30+ years. I'm in no rush.

 

[DankjeeP]

Thanks I know my options..built many Jeeps etc over the last 30+ years. I'm in no rush.

When I had a leak, it was pretty messy. It gets into the brakes. My wife even noticed braking was diminished when she drove the truck. The worst part of the whole deal was cleaning up all the fluid.

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