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[gregwho]

Guys,

I'm a bit lost at the moment and need to ask for some advice.  On my WJ GC 2.7 2003 (Quadratrac), the front drive shaft pinon seal is leaking where it goes into the diff, so have ordered a new seal from Jeep (yep, went with a stealership) for about £30.  While i'm waiting for it to arrive I have a couple of issues that I was hoping someone could help with:

When I spoke with the Jeep Dealer they recommended 70w140 oil for the front diff and 80w90 for the back diff, and when I asked about adding friction modifier they said I didnt need to add any, which seems to go against the manual - are they correct with the oil ratings and the lack of friction modifier?  I have previously bought oil (not from main dealer) and the 80w90 is designed for LSD's so I'm guessing this already has something added to it.  I'm going to change the oil in both Diffs when changing the seal as its due to be done.  What sealant should I use to seal the diff covers?

The next issue I have is the tool needed to undo the fillup plug!  I know I sound stupid here, but I had my socket set out, ready to top the oil up the other day and found a square hole, instead of a bolt!  Any ideas what the tool size or name is so I can get the right thing to undo it?

Thanks all!

[carljh]

Not sure about the oil, maybe as the rear takes most of the drive in normal driving Jeep changed the spec for the oil.
phone round some other dealers and see what they say.
the square hole in the filler plug should just be a half inch drive you use on socket sets.
Halfords use to do a spanner thingy with different sizes on the end.
also i think the pinion nut has to be set to a pre load using a crush spacer, not hard to do, but a special tool is needed.
do a search on youtube to see what's involved

[haslamg]

Hi

I think they're right.  The Quadratrac set up lacks the varilocks in the axles.  Quadradrive has varilocks so needs the additive front and rear.

The nut can be taken of with a 3/8" ratchet.  No socket on it - just the ratchet  

G.

[Mike Pavelin]

3/8 ratchet for the level plug. Personally I'd use 75/140 synthetic in both ends given the reliability of Jeep axles.

[gregwho]

Thank you guys for all the replies - I did have the end of the ratchet in the hole, but was paranoid that if I tried to turn it I might round the edges and then be in a world of pain!  But, I'll have a go at getting the plug out now.  I dont reckon its ever been done before (only got about 50k on the clock).

3/8 ratchet for the level plug. Personally I'd use 75/140 synthetic in both ends given the reliability of Jeep axles.

Mike, just wondered why do you recommend using the 75/140 in both ends?  Are Jeep axels generally reliable or do they need babying a bit?!

Thanks everyone for such quick replies!

[Mike Pavelin]

Jeep's schedule says you should change the oil at least every 30K miles, I would do it more frequently, they have a terrifying appetite for bearings, and once they're noisy it's too late to do anything other than rebuild the axle. The 75/140 fully synthetic is reccomended by Jeep for the rear for towing and hard use anyway. use it all the time, it's pricey, but not as pricey as an axle rebuild.

[gregwho]

Jeep's schedule says you should change the oil at least every 30K miles, I would do it more frequently, they have a terrifying appetite for bearings, and once they're noisy it's too late to do anything other than rebuild the axle. The 75/140 fully synthetic is reccomended by Jeep for the rear for towing and hard use anyway. use it all the time, it's pricey, but not as pricey as an axle rebuild.

Great advice, thanks - i'll put the 75w140 in both diffs from now on...i hope my bearings are still ok, like I said i dont think the oil has been replaced before.  Is there anyway to determine if the diff bearings are on the way out?  Would road noise be significantly louder at a particular speed, or would it just be loud all the time?!

Also, just realised I was a bit of a spazz when I started this thread, for some reason I put down my Jeep had Qudratrac, but it doesnt, it has Quadradrive (at least thats what the badge on the back says!).  So, going on the post from haslmg, I think that means I should add the additive to the oil, but i'll definately call another dealer to check.

[gazjeep]

Look here

http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?topic=8091.0

Think you will find it needs addative 

[Mike Pavelin]

If it's a Quadradrive model it needs additive in both ends.

[gregwho]

Thanks everyone for all the help!  Just called a different Jeep dealer to get prices and they have confirmed that 75w140 should go in both diffs and it needs the additive (hopefully this will be useful to anyone in the future if they have the same question).

So, one last question about the oil - Jeep price for oil in boh diffs is £75.72 and then £4.96 for each bottle of additive (think thats all plus VAT).  Would the castrol oil http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-736-castrol-saf-xj-75w-140-fully-synthetic-final-drive-lubricant.aspx be a suitable alternative and then add the additive to this?

[Mike Pavelin]

From the description, it looks like you may be able to use this without the additive, as it's formulated for limited slip diffs. Call them and ask the question.

[gregwho]

From the description, it looks like you may be able to use this without the additive, as it's formulated for limited slip diffs. Call them and ask the question.

Thanks Mike, I sent them an email today and they've replied, so for completness to the thread the response was (as you suspected):

The SAF-XJ contains friction modifiers for limited slip diffs, so you shouldn't need to add any further friction modifiers. There's no harm, other than to your wallet, in adding additional friction modifiers, but we're quite familiar with those diffs and have had no problem in just using the SAF-XJ.

I dont know if it will be any use, but when I get round to changing the pinoin seal, i'll do some pictures and a how to (as I work it out!) and post it in case others have similar questions in the future.