Leaky seals on Dana 44

[saffy]

I had my 2000 tj’s rear dana 44 axle seals replaced about 3.5 yrs ago - the shop that did the job accidentally swapped the passenger side axle for the driver side, which caused the newly installed seals to fail about 6 months later (3 yrs ago). I again had the seals replaced, this time making sure a different shop swapped the axles back to their correct positions.

Here we are 3 yrs later, and I noticed a small oil puddle sitting under my driver side wheel area after the jeep had been sitting on a slight incline for a week (driver side lower than passenger side). and it looks like I’m leaking gear oil. See attached pics. I checked the fluid through the fill hole and it’s probably about 1 inch below the bottom edge of the fill hole. I guess I can just top it off for now, but I’m concerned about it getting too low, as well as damage to my brake shoes.

Wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on this moving forward, it feels odd that the seals failed after only 3 yrs. Unfortunately I don’t have time to do the work myself so I’d be taking it to a shop to get the seals done… I’m just wondering if it’s gonna start leaking again after getting the seals done yet again and whether there’s something deeper going on

 

[DuckNut]

Have the shop use quality parts and get it fixed.

Too many variables over the last 3 years to even speculate as to a possible cause of a seemingly premature failure.

Too much driving...too much parked time...sand...mud...snow...water...didnt clean surfaces last time...on and on.

 

[Irun]

Chances are the shop doing the work didn't use a Timken 9912S seal.