[MicksGCJeep]

Hi All,

I have an 04 GC with a leaking rear axle seal.

Working on a fairly tight budget, I'd really appreciate any input on local mechanics, I'm close to the NH border in Lowell, so anybody in that sort of area would be great.

Thanks in advance and have a great day.

Mick

 

[tucsonzj]

04 is a wj so you have a solid rear end, axle seals are very easy to do.

clicky here's a link with tons of info and some linked write ups. You should be able to get the part from a local auto parts store, online or from crown auto in Canton (they do a lot of OEM stuff, good guys). Should take you a couple hours having never done it before.

Yours is not a c-clip axle so you really dont even need to pop off the differential cover. You can google "replace wj rear axle seal" and you'll get tons of threads about how to and opinions as well.

good luck

 

[MicksGCJeep]

Hi TJ,

Thanks so much for the follow up.

I'll look in to what you say, but having recently had surgery and having little tools (due to transtlantic pond hopping in recent years) I may be better off trying to find a reasonably priced repair facility.

Any thoughts on that one?

Have a great afternoon.

Cheers,

Mick

 

[tucsonzj]

Hi TJ,

Thanks so much for the follow up.

I'll look in to what you say, but having recently had surgery and having little tools (due to transtlantic pond hopping in recent years) I may be better off trying to find a reasonably priced repair facility.

Any thoughts on that one?

Have a great afternoon.

Cheers,

Mick

I can't think of many shops in your area off the top of my head, i'm a bit more south and central than you are (out towards foxboro). check out the North shore jeeps page there are some guys that live up in your area that may have better knowledge of a local shop NSJ Page. Good group, I wheel with them frequently.

In all reality any place shouldn't be charging you more than an hour or two of labor. Might be worth even giving a dealership a call just to get a quote on labor/parts, and than gauge any local shops off of that.

Welcome to the US (all be it a late welcome).

 

[MicksGCJeep]

Thanks for that, I'll check out the link!

I actually arrived in the US in 99 but have visited home, the UK, on and off.

Really appreciate the advice, thanks again!

 

[tucsonzj]

no problem, good luck

 

[MicksGCJeep]

no problem, good luck

Well I managed to find a general mechanic on craigslist who did the rear axle, a fair price, especially as it took him a lot longer than he expected.

Now on to the next problem, a loose front sway bar. I will start looking on the forums for how difficult or costly this should be!!

Thanks again.

 

[tucsonzj]

Well I managed to find a general mechanic on craigslist who did the rear axle, a fair price, especially as it took him a lot longer than he expected.

Now on to the next problem, a loose front sway bar. I will start looking on the forums for how difficult or costly this should be!!

Thanks again.

no problem

where is it loose? link being loose vs the sway bar bushings midway across the bar itself will dictate how hard. if it's a link its very simple to fix, 2 bolts. just be prepared to cut one bolt off if need be. anytime I deal with sway bars I just buy/have extra bolts incase I need them.

 

[MicksGCJeep]

no problem

where is it loose? link being loose vs the sway bar bushings midway across the bar itself will dictate how hard. if it's a link its very simple to fix, 2 bolts. just be prepared to cut one bolt off if need be. anytime I deal with sway bars I just buy/have extra bolts incase I need them.

To be honest, I have not actually got underneath it yet.

I got an oil change done at Valvoline and the guy commented that he could move it which he shouldn't be able to do.

I will look and let you know, many many thanks

Cheers.

Mick