Grand Cherokee D44 leaking at the axle seals

[Jerry Bransford]

Both axle seals are leaking on my wife's 2002 JGC Dana 44. Anyone know if that aluminum housing takes the same seals, bearings, and maybe even the same axleshafts as what goes into a TJ's cast iron D44?

I don't drive it much and just noticed a bit of a growl in the rear end this evening, jeez I hope it hasn't been run too low on gear lube.

[Jeff Weston]

Originally posted by Jerry Bransford
Both axle seals are leaking on my wife's 2002 JGC Dana 44. Anyone know if that aluminum housing takes the same seals, bearings, and maybe even the same axleshafts as what goes into a TJ's cast iron D44?

Since the GC D44 has c-clips to retain the axles, the shafts aren't the same. The bearing and seal is pressed into the end of the axle tube so it's a pretty safe bet that they are different.

The good news is that you can change the seal pretty easily by removing the shaft and prying out the seal and pushing in a new one.

[Jerry Bransford]

C-clips, I did not know (or at least remember) that! Thanks Jeff, that was the answer I needed.

[Jerry Bransford]

Looks bad for the rear axle, at least probably the R&P gears. I dipped my finger in through the fill hole for a quick check this afternoon and even though the axle has never been through even a deep puddle, it came out with a chocolate milkshake-looking foam my fingertip.

Jeez, I wonder what happened. It should be covered ok under the extended warranty we bought but this is kinda odd.

[TJeeper]

I thought the c-clips were removed in the WJs, they are only present in the ZJs. Other than that I have no information on the seals and bearings.

Edit: found this on JU

http://65.42.106.152/forums/showthread.php?t=646725

[Jerry Bransford]

Wow, it turns out the seals, bearings and R&P were shot. $800 in parts and $600 in labor... of course that is the dealer's list pricing. Luckily, they offered us a reduced price $100 extended warranty 100K mile warranty on the Jeep when we bought it which covered the repairs for a flat $100 deductible. Phew!