Front Driver axle leak

[cantseetheforest]

Looking for advice/experience/etc. before taking it to the shop. 2019 JL 2.0T, stock axles.

A few days ago, if you can believe it, I was impacted on the road by a runaway tractor tire that came barreling down the side of a steep hill, rolling laterally/perpendicular to my travel onto the highway, and then smack into my front left tire area. Still no idea where the damn thing came from.

Steering wheel cocked to the right about 30º, ETS went crazy. Got the Jeep home fine and was able to the recenter the steering with a drag link adjustment and to reset the computer.

Problem is, now there is a very significant oil leak out the driver's side end of the front axle, at the wheel, like a seal failure. The leak is definitely brand new right after the accident, was not occurring before.

Less than a year ago, the other front axle seal (passenger side) was replaced after it had been leaking. That leak was not as bad as this one. At that time, the shop said the passenger side seal had deteriorated due to normal offroad wear and tear. (I do drive the hell out of this thing, daily and offroad.)

I don't want a new driver's side seal just slapped in if there is axle damage after the collision with the tire. What do you guys think? Any similar experiences?

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[chevymitchell]

Looking for advice/experience/etc. before taking it to the shop. 2019 JL 2.0T, stock axles.

A few days ago, if you can believe it, I was impacted on the road by a runaway tractor tire that came barreling down the side of a steep hill, rolling laterally/perpendicular to my travel onto the highway, and then smack into my front left tire area. Still no idea where the damn thing came from.

Steering wheel cocked to the right about 30º, ETS went crazy. Got the Jeep home fine and was able to the recenter the steering with a drag link adjustment and to reset the computer.

Problem is, now there is a very significant oil leak out the driver's side end of the front axle, at the wheel, like a seal failure. The leak is definitely brand new right after the accident, was not occurring before.

Less than a year ago, the other front axle seal (passenger side) was replaced after it had been leaking. That leak was not as bad as this one. At that time, the shop said the passenger side seal had deteriorated due to normal offroad wear and tear. (I do drive the hell out of this thing, daily and offroad.)

I don't want a new driver's side seal just slapped in if there is axle damage after the collision with the tire. What do you guys think? Any similar experiences?

You'll need to de-populate the housing and check for trueness in case the tube on the driver's side is bent.

The impact from the tractor tire shouldn't have damaged the axle seal, but if it's leaking after the impact then there could be some mis-alignment issues now with the axle shaft. This is the short side, so it should be pretty strong, but the only way to verify is to take everything out and apart.

Run a broom stick through the housing and you'll notice right away if the tubes are misaligned. If the tubes are good to go, throw some new seals (both sides) in the housing and all will be OK.