Front Diff Leaking, Includes Odd Noises Too!

65Corvair · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:06 pm

I have a leaky front diff from the passenger side. Once I get up to 50-60 mph I hear a humming noise coming from my front diff. I also feel slight drive line vibration when in 4 full time but not in 2wd. I recently completed installation of a new intermediate shaft and passenger side half shaft. (separate issue found here:http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=72481) So I don't think it would be related to that.

It sounds really similar to this thread: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=66739

My plan is to buy a whole front diff off of ebay, check it out, put new seals in then install it. When I have time, I can rebuild the one that is currently in the jeep, for spare parts and for learning.

Ebay Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-03-04-05-06-07-JEEP-LIBERTY-FRONT-CARRIER-DIFFERENTIAL-ASSEMBLY-3-73-ratio-/390449984305?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALiberty&hash=item5ae8a1f331&vxp=mtr

Does any one have any other ideas or things I should check for before I purchase this?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:11 pm

Did you have the leak before you replaced the parts?
Where did you get the parts from ?
Where exactly is it leaking?
Why buy another one when possibly its an easy repair ?
If running 4 wheel on hard / dry pavement you'll have some vibes
Have you checked the rear boot on the front driveshaft ?

65Corvair · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:41 pm

Did you have the leak before you replaced the parts?
It did not leak before I put the intermediate shaft and half shaft in.

Where did you get the parts from ?
Intermediate Shaft:http://www.amazon.com/Omix-Ada-16523-43-Axle-Shaft/dp/B0034KU8OQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327449580&sr=8-1
Half Shaft: Napa Reman

Where exactly is it leaking?
It is leaking out the passenger side, where the intermediate shaft goes in.

Why buy another one when possibly its an easy repair ?
I could take the current one out, install the new one. Then open the broken diff and see what is wrong and repair. Doing it this way I would have less down time, but costs more.

If running 4 wheel on hard / dry pavement you'll have some vibes
Have you checked the rear boot on the front driveshaft ?
I know it has a cut/tear in it. I would replace that when removing/installing front differential.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:54 pm

If it didn't leak before then you must of torn the seal, just replace it and should be good
Looks like you got good parts so those should be fine
If rear boot is torn dirt/grime has made its way into the bearings and now need replaced, very easy to do as well

65Corvair · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:09 am

Would a bad rear CV joint on the front drive shaft make a humming noise just at highways speed? Its not audible until hit 50 mph or so.
I will replace this, I am just trying to get more information about my problem.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:40 am

When they get dry yes they will make a humming sound like
I would pull it out , not that hard to do, and run it some to see if it takes away that noise.
Then you can work on the leak issue which is more than likely a seal from the info given

65Corvair · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2012 1:25 am

I put the new CV on the drive shaft and that fixed the problem. :BANANA:

However, when I was cleaning up I found the gasket for the end cap sitting on my work bench. If I notice lots of extra grease under my jeep tomorrow I will get some more grease from a local store and install the gasket.

Sorry for the small picture, but if you look close one of the balls actually cracked a hole on this side.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:47 am

That will cause an issue for sure :wink:

It was really worn, had to be making noise for a while

65Corvair · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:59 am

I was surprised to find it in such bad shape. It was quiet and didn't vibrate until i hit 50 mph, and even then it didn't sound or feel bad. But it only made noise or vibrated when I was in 4WD.

I also replaced the seal a few days ago, the one that was in there was a real bugger to get out.

65Corvair · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:16 am

The gasket is definitely needed. There was not much grease that got out, but after a several hundred miles it all might be gone. So I pulled the shaft again and put the gasket in. I also bought more CV grease locally to put in the CV. Its done now.

Here is a pic of my garage buddy.

Front Diff Leaking, Includes Odd Noises Too!

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