leak, how to fix?

'75 CJ5

I have a leak on the rear end behind the lright rear backing plate. It is not coming from the brake cyliner or hoses. it looks like a green fluid. I am guessing gear oil. Any thoughts?

 

Replace the inner axle seal. You have to pull the shaft then use a seal puller to get the old one out. Use a drift to put the new one in. I was able to get a replacement at autozone.

Be sure to check the bearings and replace them if necassary. Also repack the bearings wether you replace them or not.

 

Will it cause damage if I don't fix?

 

Not if it's just the seal until you run out of gear oil in the axle, but alot of times if you have a seal bad that means the bearing could be bad as well. It will also make it that much easier for water to get in the axle if that seal is bad, and once you get water in them none of the bearings last too long. You should be fine driving it for a little while until you get time to replace it, but keep a close check on the oil in that axle.

 

Only problem could be possible contamination of the brake pads on the right rear from the leaking fluid. It will reduce the braking efficenty on that wheel or could even cause that brake to stop working.

 

This is true too. I've only ever left one leaking like that without fixing it, but that was in an old Bronco where the ridge in the axle that the seal sits against broke out of the axle tube. Never paid much attention to whether it messed up the back brakes or not because I don't think they worked in the first place. R)

It really just depends on how bad it's leaking as to how long you can drive it without any problems.

 

Indeed, likely! The seal will fail if the bearing starts to go, so the seal leaking is often a side effect of bearing failure. My advice - pull the axle and replace the seal and bearing.

 

How long of a process is it to change the seal mentioned above and re-pack the bearings for a "shade tree mechanic" sort of fella? Just curious, I found a bit of oil leaking out of my back right seal and was wondering about the same thing as Pokeman.:?

 

No repacking, bearing rides in oil IIRC (been a while). Pretty quick if you have a slide hammer for removal and a press. The bearing has a retaining collar that needs to be pressed on/off. You can drill a hole in the collar and split it with a chisel. The bearing is supposed to be pressed on, but some here have driven them on with a BFH and length of pipe. Not recommended, but possible.

 

Is this something a newbie could attempt, with some guidance from you fine people? at this point I am intimidated by pulling the axle.

 

Before you tear anything apart check the axle vent and see if it is plunged up with rust or dirt. If axle pressurizes as it warms up it forces oil past the seals. My axle used to leak like sieve until i freed up the breather now it doesn't leak a drop (and yes it has oil in it)

 

...are the axle vents something that a owner should check and replace periodically? I noticed mine hanging down and the rubber hose looking old and tired, but only recently understood about what the axle vent is all about. Considering they get inundated with mud and dirt, I figure I should go ahead and replace them? ...or are they a part that could be easily removed and cleaned? I've not got my hands on one yet, just wondering out loud here.

Again, Pokeman, not trying to high jack your thread, but i think we're about in the same boat here with these axles.

 

On my '72 there is an inner and an outter seal on the 44. Hense my comments above. The bearings don't ride in a oil bath. They are packed with grease.