What would you do?
99 WJ Jeep GC 4.0.
Both rear axle seals have been leaky for years but the rate seems to have increased to about a loss of 1 qt/year (10K miles). The oil stops at the diff-side back plate of the rotors but doesn't contaminate the rotors/brake pads. I don't mind putting in the time and work involved in the repair but overall cost of repair is a factor. This vehicle has about 250K, a salvage title from a collision, and a fair market value of about $800.
To do the repair, I would need to cut off old wheel bearings and buy new bearings + seals and to use a shop press. I priced the parts from RA, using National brand parts. WJB budget parts are much cheaper. If I can find a shop that is willing to press the bearings for me for $20/bearing, cost would come out to about $100. If I buy my own shop press from HF, cost would be around $170.
Or would you just keep adding gear oil yearly? It has 80W-90 right now. Would 85W-140 slow the leak? 4 quarts of Super Tech 80W90 or 85W140 costs about $14. Other than environmental, are there other downsides of just keep adding oil?
99 WJ Jeep GC 4.0.
Both rear axle seals have been leaky for years but the rate seems to have increased to about a loss of 1 qt/year (10K miles). The oil stops at the diff-side back plate of the rotors but doesn't contaminate the rotors/brake pads. I don't mind putting in the time and work involved in the repair but overall cost of repair is a factor. This vehicle has about 250K, a salvage title from a collision, and a fair market value of about $800.
To do the repair, I would need to cut off old wheel bearings and buy new bearings + seals and to use a shop press. I priced the parts from RA, using National brand parts. WJB budget parts are much cheaper. If I can find a shop that is willing to press the bearings for me for $20/bearing, cost would come out to about $100. If I buy my own shop press from HF, cost would be around $170.
Or would you just keep adding gear oil yearly? It has 80W-90 right now. Would 85W-140 slow the leak? 4 quarts of Super Tech 80W90 or 85W140 costs about $14. Other than environmental, are there other downsides of just keep adding oil?