oil spewing from u-joint area

[shaggy56]

My 4 wheel drive 94 Jeep wrangler recently started shaking badly when I hit anything above 30 miles per hour. I inspected the rear drive shaft and their is oil splashed on the underbody and muffler all around the front u-joint on the drive shaft right behind the transfer case. Anyone here know where this could be coming from and what could possibly be damaged?

 

[shaggy56]

Also what would I need to do to repair it? Could it be a bad seal and/or yoke? I wont be pulling apart till friday so if anyone can give me an idea on how hard it is to replace the seal.

 

[jeepinstien]

It could be a bad u-joint that ruined the seal. Also check the output shaft on the transfercase. It could bend from the excessive vibration.
The seal replacement is an easy fix.

 

[shaggy56]

Thanks for the response. I will definately get a better idea friday when I pull it apart. I initially thought it might be a bad u-joint but didnt notice any play but who knows.

 

[LVRockCrawler]

had the same thing happen to my old 91 Sahara - was the tail-shaft seal... not a difficult fix but check your yoke when you have it out to make sure its not badly grooved...

 

[Snitty]

really easy to fix the tailshaft oil seal... and i agree.. check your yoke and joints, if it jumps around, you'll have to address that

 

[shaggy56]

Well turned out the front u-joint was shot. Im getting the shaft redone with new u-joints. As far as the seal do I only have to remove that tail housing and remove the seal? I see 4 bolts holding the tail housing on. Is that all there is to it?. Im guessing I have to press a new seal in there too. As far as putting in more transfer case fluid what type/weight do I need?

 

[Snitty]

no need to remove the housing.. the seal presses in from the rear... very easy job... use auto transmission fluid for the Tcase