Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: joker on April 01, 2009, 10:41:14 AM

Title: Water in front diff
Post by: joker on April 01, 2009, 10:41:14 AM
in my 05 tj. is it a tough fix or something i can do my self?
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: fug on April 01, 2009, 10:44:41 AM
It's pretty straightforward and you're going to get good at it if you wheel alot ;)

Remove cover, drain bad oil/water out, clean up cover/diff mating surfaces, apply liberal amounts of RTV, bolt cover back up, fill with your favorite gear oil
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: Immortal on April 01, 2009, 10:50:08 AM
has anyone here tapped in a drain/plug for this very reason?
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: dac on April 01, 2009, 11:02:48 AM
Would it be worth getting an aftermarket diff cover for protection?  As expensive as they ar the ARB's are nice because they have the drain plug, but at the same time maybe it'd be better to take a peak inside when you change the oil?
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: Immortal on April 01, 2009, 11:11:19 AM
hmmmm.... good point re: inspection
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: tubby on April 01, 2009, 11:29:16 AM
You could also use a hand pump with a tube and slip it into the fill plug. Keep sucking old fluid until nothing comes out and re-fill with new oil.
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: JackstandJohnny on April 01, 2009, 11:40:05 AM
You could also use a hand pump with a tube and slip it into the fill plug. Keep sucking old fluid until nothing comes out and re-fill with new oil.

used to do that with my old Ford and the TTB front end. NOT fun; still don't know how much crap still sits in there, can't really inspect it either or clean the old stuff out. pull cover its easy, then u can check ur gears and stuff too for metal shards etc.
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: tubby on April 01, 2009, 11:49:08 AM
Johnny,  thats funny cause I use to do that with my TTB also.
I found enough sand to fill a sandbox in my Bronco's diff. I'm not kidding.
I've never seen what the internals look like, and I don't want to know.
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: JackstandJohnny on April 01, 2009, 11:55:00 AM
Johnny,  thats funny cause I use to do that with my TTB also.
I found enough sand to fill a sandbox in my Bronco's diff. I'm not kidding.
I've never seen what the internals look like, and I don't want to know.

i saw them once..... when we did a gear swap........... all i can say is: i'm really, REALLY glad we were doing the gear swap.........
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: mike s on April 01, 2009, 12:45:15 PM
Drill and tapping stock housing is a great idea. Use a magnetic drain plug to catch particles and hold them out of harms way- every eat bubble gum and potato chips at the same time? As so far as inspecting gears while servicing fluids, you'll hear the problem well before you see it. Check diff vent while your getting dirty. Seen tons plugged up and when you get that hot diff cold- like dunking it in cold water/mud, it cools and contracts creating a vaccum inside pulling water by the axle seals. Best to run a new hose way up high with a see-through fuel filter in the end to keep crud out.
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: tubby on April 02, 2009, 08:12:41 AM
Another idea would be to use a clear diff cover . If you wheel through a lot of water and want to inspect your fluid a lot. Trans Dapt makes one for a Dana-30 that uses the same material as bullet-proof glass. Looks cool.
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: calltrex on April 02, 2009, 10:44:42 AM
has anyone here tapped in a drain/plug for this very reason?

the ruby D44s have a drain plug.  I changed fluids in a flash
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: 01sahara on April 02, 2009, 11:08:00 AM
Would it be worth getting an aftermarket diff cover for protection?  As expensive as they ar the ARB's are nice because they have the drain plug, but at the same time maybe it'd be better to take a peak inside when you change the oil?
I like the ARB one, that is what I am upgrading to.
 
I will be selling a Rockcrusher diff cover for a Dana 35 next month when my new parts are in. $90 . No drain plug but much cheaper than the ARB.
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: newfie on April 03, 2009, 09:26:37 AM
why ya swaping out the Rockcrusher for the ARB if ya dont mind me asking
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: XJHERO on April 03, 2009, 09:28:55 AM
why ya swaping out the Rockcrusher for the ARB if ya dont mind me asking
drain plugs and magnets on drain plug and dipstick
oh and probly cus he has a arb air locker in it.
 ;D
Title: Re: Water in front diff
Post by: 01sahara on April 03, 2009, 09:48:27 AM
drain plugs and magnets on drain plug and dipstick
oh and probably cus he has a arb air locker in it.
 ;D

Yes, I am upgrading to an ARB diff cover because it is a superior unit, but more expensive, and I have an ARB air locker. The ARB one is also a very cool looking unit. The Rockcrusher cover however offers your diff considerably more protection than the stock cover. It just does not have the drain plug, dipstick and magnets.   The cover will be available in about 3 weeks. If someone wants it drop some cash off and I will hold it for you.  The front one off the D30 has already been spoken for.