Need help and advise on ZJ transmission and/or transfer case leak

98zjstroker

98zjstroker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Location
concord nc
So I have a 98zj with 250,000 miles on it. It has had a small transmission fluid leak for several years but it has been so small it hasn't been work me doing anything to fix it......well that is until just recently. I noticed that the transmission was acting up again and saw that I was at least two if not three qtr.'s low so I filled it back to where it needed. Well it started just dripping right out. A few days later my garage floor was covered in tranny fluid. From what I can see the leak was coming from where the transmission bolts to the transfer case. I don't really know a lot (very very little) with transmissions and transfer cases other then little magical elves live in there and make everything work!

Needless to say I have a good amount of mechanical knowledge other then those things and assumed there was some type of rear transmission seal that could be leaking. But since it is right where the transfer case and transmission bolt together It could be either one. So I pulled the transfer case and fluid began to leak out of the rear seal of the transmission. Not sure if that is normal since its the first time I have done it. Neither the seal on the transmission nor the one on the transfer case looks bad (no obvious signs from visual inspection) But you can see by the pics I am going to post that the bottom of the transmission and transfer case that there has been a leak for a while with staining and buildup of gunk.

Sorry this is so long but I want to be as descriptive as possible. First is fluid suppose to be dripping out of the rear seal after pulling the transfer case? And second, how do I find out where it is leaking? those are the only areas where I see the ''leak."

Thanks for any help you can give me. I will post pictures shortly to show some of what I'm talking about.
 
transfercase front.jpg
transfer case
 
Imagine that, I have a 98ZJ with a leak as well.

As I recall it’s the rear output shaft seal in the transmission. You should be able to pry the old seal out and install a new one. Make sure you have a proper sized seal tool or you could potentially be buying 2 or 3 seals after pooching when you don’t seat them properly.

I’d be curious if the seal is worn or the bearings and you have too much play in the shaft.
 
It's probably the transmission side seal. See if it's hard and crusty. If it is, change it. A socket the right size or a block of wood with a hole bored in it to accommodate the shaft can be used to install the new seal easily. It can be done with just a hammer but it's no fun chasing it around to get it started.
 
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