Front end leak

dman · Post by **dman** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:47 pm

While checking out my PTO leak I notice both ends of the front axle have what appear to be large knuckles and both are leaking pretty bad. What seals etc do I need to order to repair the leaks? THanks

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:03 am

You'll need two (one per side for each item) long felt strips that are held by a retaining ring (that is often rusted out), two other small felts that fit on the top side and secured by a small retaining plate, two main gaskets that seal the outer circumference, and if you are in that deep you might consider replacing the copper bushings and internal housing seals that the axle shafts pass through. And a step deeper if you are going this far-you can also pull the center chunk and replace the gasket. This will give you some idea of the condition of your front diff, and you can clean the gunk out of the housing and replace with fresh gear lube once the job is done (and don't forget that the wheel bearings get generously greased, as the diff lube does not cover the wheel bearing area). Some guys also replace the top copper pivot bushings with the same roller bearing that fits the bottom side-allegedly makes it easier to steer but I did not swap mine.

I know your next question w/o you asking: I got all those parts from VPW and did the job a couple of years ago.
Hope this helps,
Gary

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:09 am

Like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Military ... otohosting

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:17 am

I checked out the link, and then clicked on the link to Surplus City Jeep Parts. They seem to have some desirable parts for the M37, but I thought their prices were just a little high.

dman · Post by **dman** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:03 am

I need to drive the truck about 35 miles to the repair shop how can I get enought gear oil into the steering knuckles to insure I don't damage them? Thanks very much for your help.

Dman

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:58 am

Lifer, I couldn't agree more. They stuck me with exorbitant shipping on the only thing I ordered from them (and I'm in California too) so I never consider them for parts. I added the link so DMan and all could see the described parts.

DMan,
Do two things for the front axle: Pull the fill plug from the diff housing (should be a 1/2 inch ratchet size) and make sure there is sufficient gear lube there. Next, each of the steering hubs should have a zerk (grease) fitting on the top of the trunnion cap, and there is also a small flat-tip screwdriver plug on the bottom area of the axle ball. Pull the plug, get your grease gun and start pumping. Once grease emerges from the bottom plug, install it and do the same for the other side. This should ensure you have enough grease covering the axle shaft knuckles and should be ok to move. One last precaution-you might jack up the front end after lubing everything and give each tire a spin to ensure nothing is binding or noisy.
Gary

dman · Post by **dman** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:59 pm

I added fluid to the front end differential and each knuckle took 2.5 tubes of grease they must have been empty. The good news is my gear lube leak seems to have stopped how could the be? Does the grease apply pressure to something that would stop the leak?

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:02 am

The grease has likely backed up to the inner front axle seals, keeping the gear oil from entering and saturating the knuckle area which is where the greased portion of the diff is. If you were getting gear oil in the actual knuckle area then your inner seals need to be replaced-there should be no mixing of the gear oil and grease. Stated differently, grease goes into the knuckle area only (and of course you pack the wheel bearings separately) while the gear oil should fill the center of the diff and out to the ends of the housing tubes where the inner seal stops the flow from getting into the knuckle area.
Gary