Leaking front axle 2015 JKUR

[4wd man]

Hi guys, I just noticed the front axle leaking oil. Jeep no longer under warranty and was never serviced at a dealership. From what I have gathered after doing some reading on the internet, the inner seal is shot and the diff centre and axle will need to be pulled out to replace that seal and most workshops will get a specialist diff place to do that. Is that correct? I want to make sure it's done properly because I don't want to stuff up the diffs or having to replace the axle further down the track. Thanks for your help.

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[humdingerslammer]

Have you had a look at the end of the axle to see if the axle seal at the end of the axle (wheel hub) hasn't popped off. This can happen if the diff breathers have become blocked. The heat in the axle causes expansion of air in the axle tube and this builds up pressure so that the seal will pop off. Normally, this xs pressure is vented by the diff breathers. Not usual for the inner JKU rubi seals to pop. Good luck.

I see that u r in Melbourne.

Try Melbourne 4x4 at 497 Grimshaw St; Thomastown.. 9467 9922. Not the same as Melbourne 4x4 CENTRE at Mahoney's rd.

They have done work for me (same problem too) and they r very good and fussy with their work.

[Banshee]

The plastic flange at the hub end is just a cover to minimise the amount of crud getting into the axle tube, humdingerslammer.* Mine don't sit exactly flush & there are no oil leaks. When I pulled the axles to replace the uni joints, I mopped them out to clear the crap that had got in, as well as I could, before reinserting the axles. That's why you can buy the aftermarket end seals that actually DO seal the tubes properly.

There is no oil in the front tubes, unlike the rear. (And I'm not certain there is there either.) Or at least, there shouldn't be. The inner seals are supposed to keep it all in the diff. I have read that the rear bearings are lubed by oil from the diff & the end seals keep it in, but I haven't needed to check that for myself, yet.


*This is true for '08 with D30 front. It might be different for other years, but I doubt it.

[Hoasco]

Originally Posted by Banshee

The plastic flange at the hub end is just a cover to minimise the amount of crud getting into the axle tube, humdingerslammer.* Mine don't sit exactly flush & there are no oil leaks. When I pulled the axles to replace the uni joints, I mopped them out to clear the crap that had got in, as well as I could, before reinserting the axles. That's why you can buy the aftermarket end seals that actually DO seal the tubes properly.

There is no oil in the front tubes, unlike the rear. (And I'm not certain there is there either.) Or at least, there shouldn't be. The inner seals are supposed to keep it all in the diff. I have read that the rear bearings are lubed by oil from the diff & the end seals keep it in, but I haven't needed to check that for myself, yet.


*This is true for '08 with D30 front. It might be different for other years, but I doubt it.

Same with my '07. Going to assume if it has the plastic flange thing, its not going to have a seal on the outside of the tube. It will be down in the center. So its a center out job to fix.

[milky01]

I had a similar problem fixed under warranty, although smaller amounts of oil on the inner tyre sidewall.
They ended up replacing both front axles incl. uni joints, I suspect the uni joint went bad (clunking sound prior to warranty repair) which may have contributed to the axle seals or vice versa.

Depending on how many KMs your JK has done it might be worth putting fresh unis in while axles are out

[4wd man]

Thanks very much for your comments guys. I spoke to Daniel from Trax Industries in Hoppers Crossing today. He has helped me out in the past and would highly recommend him. He said it is a very common problem with the JK and has replaced a lot of these so much so that he stocks these inner seals on his shelf. I came across a detailed write up on another Jeep forum which helps heaps understanding how it is setup.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...e-seal-321127/


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[MidnightMods]

done them on my rubi a few months ago, basic tools DIY in the garage.
All I suggest is get the new Genuine seals.. They are a dual seal type unlike the cheapie others. Genuine is around $70 each I think. I now keep a spare set because jeep are often out of stock.