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Dana18 Advice

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Cj5dale, Mar 24, 2022.

  1. Mar 24, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    Any idea on what kind of gasket or seal I need to get to fix this leak?

    for some reason it has just started to leak more and will leave a puddle on the floor about the size of a saucer after a drive.

    here are som pics where it’s leaking

    upload_2022-3-24_11-24-15.jpeg

    upload_2022-3-24_11-25-8.jpeg
     
  2. Mar 24, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
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    Output shaft seal probably.
     
  3. Mar 24, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Yep, rear out put seal and maybe some leaking through the shim pack. There should be a lot of info if you do a search. In short, the campanion flange and ebrake needs to come off and then you can pull the seal. If the shim pack is leaking, the rear bearing cap will also need removed. The usual cause of this is a worn companion flange/seal. You will likely need a repair sleeve.
     
  4. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    Thank you for your responses.

    I have a few follow up questions.

    however, please understand that I’m a true novice when it comes to these jeeps. Actually, if there is a category below that, I would probably fit into that one.

    I’ve learned a lot from all the incredible knowledge I’ve found on this forum and from all the help everyone has given me when I’ve asked questions.

    when I joined this forum, the only mechanical thing I’ve done to a vehicle is change the oil and plugs, etc.

    Since joining, and having this Jeep to work on, I’ve learned how to
    - rebuild my Rochester 2G carb
    - use various gauges to adjust and tune the carb to where it runs great
    - remove my Prestolite distributor, find TOC and reseat it to make sure it correctly points at #1 cyl which fixed all of my engine miss issues.
    - set timing correctly
    - trace all of my wiring to get all lights, switches, etc. working correctly.
    - replace full tank, fuel sending unit
    - replace my Speedo with a NOS one and get all the gauges working correctly and accurately.
    - test alternator / voltage regulator to determine the voltage regulator was bad
    - test coil resistance to determine coil needed replacing

    however, this transfer case thing is a bit overwhelming for me. I know most of you could rebuild one of these in your sleep but I’m afraid I don’t have those skills currently.

    so I took the Jeep to a transmission shop to have them look at the leak and give me an estimate on fixing it. After looking it over, they say it also appears to be leaking from top and draining down in addition to the output seal leaking.

    in order to fix, they say it has to be removed from the Jeep. So I’m thinking if that’s the case, might as well have them replace all the seals, gaskets, etc. and inspect the gears for any issues since it wines just a bit.

    they gave me a quote of $945! Is that reasonable?

    He said they may have to replace the “chain” and those are hard to find?

    I have a TSM and, unless I’m missing it, there is no chain in this TCase?

    Now I’m almost afraid to let them tear into it.

    so I’m looking for more advice and recommendations.

    I dont have any of the special tools , etc to work on these things and I admit I wouldn’t know by looking at it if a part needed replaced or if it was supposed to look the way it looks.

    sorry for the long post, but I could really use some guidance.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2022
  5. Apr 1, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    There's no chain in a CJ transfer case. Run, don't walk, away from these clowns.
     
    cj2atruck, duffer, Rich M. and 7 others like this.
  6. Apr 1, 2022
    Andrew Theros

    Andrew Theros Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Los Osos, CA
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    I am probably at about the same level as you in the knowledge and experience department.
    I do know that there is no chain in our D18’s.
    I haven’t looked recently, but a D18 rebuild kit fromNovak is around $300, so there’s $600 for you to learn with.

    Actually, rebuilding mine is on the list and I’m kinda looking forward to the opportunity to learn a bit more.
     
    Cj5dale likes this.
  7. Apr 1, 2022
    Andrew Theros

    Andrew Theros Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Los Osos, CA
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  8. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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  9. Apr 1, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    There are lots of moving parts in a Jeep, and that means extra maintenance and service. I suspect it will be hard to own this Jeep if you can't do your own service. That said, they are really simple compared to modern cars. If you want to learn this stuff, now is the time and here is your opportunity.

    You might look for a Jeep club or local online forum where you can make some local contacts with knowledgeable people. If you want to hire someone to work on your Jeep, I think you'll be better off with a local mechanic that works on old cars. Any conscientious olde-tyme mechanic could work on a Jeep with good results. A local 4x4 shop might be an option, but you'll likely pay more for a "specialist."
     
    Cj5dale likes this.
  10. Apr 1, 2022
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Where in East Tennessee are you located?
    With the exception of a couple of pieces of brass or copper all you really need is a drop indicator, mag base, hydraulic press along with a torque wrench and normal tools. You can do without a hydraulic press, I rebuilt mine years ago before I had one. The indicator and magnetic base can be had from Harbor freight.
     
  11. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    I’d love to learn and willing to do the work, just never done anything similar to this before.

    I did build a remote controlled “bot” with two cordless drills and a raspberry Pi for my grandson if that counts :)
     
    Andrew Theros likes this.
  12. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    knoxville
     
  13. Apr 1, 2022
    Andrew Theros

    Andrew Theros Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I was scared to death when I found broken teeth in my T14. With the advice I received here and a little patience, I was almost disappointed at how easy it was to rebuild.
     
  14. Apr 1, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    You'll need basic hand tools and a place to work. You'll need to park the Jeep in one spot for a while. There will be two main jobs: removing and replacing the transfer case (R&R) and replacing the seals and whatever else it needs on the work bench. You'll need to clean parts and everything will be greasy/dirty. Many people wear the disposable gloves for this kind of work, though it is acceptable to use your bare hands and spend 15 minutes scrubbing them when you are done. "Mechanic's gloves" are another option, though they will reduce your dexterity some. Eye protection will help, and is necessary when you're under the Jeep.
     
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  15. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    It is sitting in my garage so that’s no problem. And I have basic tools.
     
  16. Apr 1, 2022
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Removing the dana 18 is pretty straight forward, easier if you have someone helping support the weight as you pull it out. Moses Ludel is a writer who has written several books on old jeep restoration & maintenance. He also runs a forum for jeep restoration, here is a thread where one of his people are rebuilding a dana 18.

    https://forums.4wdmechanix.com/topi...lding-the-spicer-model-18-jeep-transfer-case/

    This is a book of his that has a chapter on rebuilding the dana 18. You can usually find used copies on ebay:
    https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Rebuilders-Manual-1946-1971-Restoration/dp/0837610370/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SOBGABHITSQW&keywords=moses+ludel&qid=1648845832&sprefix=,aps,169&sr=8-1

    A lot of the enjoyment I get out of my jeep is working on it for maintenance and learning new ways of upgrading and improving it. Otherwise I would just get a "modern" jeep if it was just for driving.

    There are lots of threads on our forum as well where people have gone through a rebuild and documented it for us.
     
  17. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thank you. I’ll check those out as well.
     
  18. Apr 1, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    X2. Plus there is no place to leak from above on an 18. Possibly from a transmission shifter top.
     
  19. Apr 1, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    "I’m almost afraid to let them tear into it."

    For them to say they would have to replace the "chain" and "they are hard to find" means they are completely unknowledgeable on these units and you can omit the "almost". I would not let the bozos touch it, or anything else after that load of buffalo hockey.

    If you want a D18 to rebuild on the side, I am not far from you, and if you will come and separate it from a transmission you can have one of the several I have laying around for the one time special price of "free". I have three or four I am not going to use. They aren't that complicated to work on, really fairly simple as far as gear boxes go, and I would be glad to help if you run into a snag, but I won't do it for you.
     
  20. Apr 1, 2022
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    Ok. I’m convinced either the shop didn’t know what they were talking about or worse. I’m just going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they didn’t know.

    either way, I’m going to steer clear of them.

    Thank you.
     
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