I took my "weekender" Wrangler TJ to a local mechanic to diagnose and fix a front, passenger gear oil leak. It was obviously gear oil (smell) and pooling in the axle yoke and dripping down to my tire.

The local mechanic (recommended on TA) called and said it was the pinion seal. They replaced it. Picked up it, dove it home, and the next morning more oil in the yoke, on my tire, and on my garage floor.

I thought all along - and mentioned this a couple of times - that I thought it was the axle seal not the pinion based on where the oil was pooling. I've taken it back to them. How hard should I push for some type of discount, etc. in this situation?

KatyAggie2000 said:

---

I took my "weekender" Wrangler TJ to a local mechanic to diagnose and fix a front, passenger gear oil leak. It was obviously gear oil (smell) and pooling in the axle yoke and dripping down to my tire.

The local mechanic (recommended on TA) called and said it was the pinion seal. They replaced it. Picked up it, dove it home, and the next morning more oil in the yoke, on my tire, and on my garage floor.

I thought all along - and mentioned this a couple of times - that I thought it was the axle seal not the pinion based on where the oil was pooling. I've taken it back to them. How hard should I push for some type of discount, etc. in this situation?

---

i'm confused. if it is on your yoke, it's definitely the pinion seal (which they could have easily damaged the new one during install). but, i do not understand how oil would pool on your yoke and drip down your tire.

if it was an axle seal, then it would come from the ends of the axle and drip off Cs onto your tire.

all this to say, there's a good chance both your pinion and axle seals were in need of changing. but i would take it back to shop and have them check what's going on.

I assume when he says axle yoke, he is talking about the u joint at the end of the axle, not the input shaft in the middle

Sorry my bad. Yes the U Joint by my wheel behind the brakes.

KatyAggie2000 said:

---

Sorry my bad. Yes the U Joint by my wheel behind the brakes.

---

then yes i would take it back and ask why he changed the pinion seal when the axle seal was and still is clearly leaking.

I did have them replace both. Owner was a little frustrated when I asked about the credit for the pinion seal but he will reluctantly do it.