TJ rear axle seals ~Help?

[MOABICON]

2003 Jeep TJ Sahara
How much is involved in changing out
both rear axle seals. Can't seem to find
a youtube video to explain what is involved?
Anyone done it? It's a Heavy Duty Dana 44
Trac-Lok Differential. Thanks

[Nootch]

unless there is a world of difference between the 00' and 03' TJ, its not that bad, but a bit involving.

Starting from  your axle on stands and tires/brakes off

1. pop rear cover and drain.
2. Rotate carrier to gain access to pin
3. Remove pin (small retaining bolt be careful)
4. push each shaft in a bit to allow the C-clip to come undone, and then remove axle shaft.
5. Remove old seal and replace (Might as well replace the bearing, or at least have one on hand just in case)
6. reverse process to install axle. When I push the axle in to hold the C-clip I push the axle stub back on the clip from the inside of the carrier to hold it. Install pin, add a dab of loctite blue to the retaining bolt, and reseal/refill the diff.


Snags you may come across are lockers or limited slips.  you may need some tools or difference procedures to gain access to the pin to remove it and allow the shafts to come in and C-clips to be removed.

[03Jeeper]

D44 doesn't have c-clips.
Which makes things a little easier.

Google Stu Olson D44 Seals

He has a pretty good write-up.

[Nootch]

thats a relief to know the 44 doesn't use clips.  I thought they still did.

[BUKI]

Still a nice write up for d35. Props

[esi]

Might as well change the outer bearings while you're doing this, and check  the axle where the bearing runs. There is usually a reason that the seal starts leaking. On mine the axles were worn and causing slap in the bearing making the seal leak.

[03Jeeper]

thats a relief to know the 44 doesn't use clips.  I thought they still did.

Ya, they use 4 bolts on the flange, you have to rotate the axle shaft to get at the 4 nuts, after you remove those just pull and they should pop out.