M186 Axle Seal Replacement

[BrandNewIn2022]

In anticipation of lifting and re-gearing my 2022 JLU sport, I am seeking advice on replacing the front axle seals on the M186 (Advantek Dana 30). The passenger side seal(#3) is p/n 68396635AA and driver side(#6) is p/n 68388747AA. I have seen videos of the old dana 30 with both seals being in the differential housing. The M186 seems different. Based on the parts diagram it appears the passenger (right) seal is located within the axle tube on the differential side of the FAD. Would anyone with experience changing out this seal please provide beta on removing and replacing this seal. I'm curious which direction it comes out (towards the diff.?) and how to tap the new one in. I am sort of guessing it could be tapped in with a pipe, going from the driver side through the diff., before installing the driver side seal. I'm trying to have a complete plan before I proceed with the project. Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[azwjowner]

I would not change axle seals on a 2022. I just regeared my 2022 and left them in place. I can verify that the passenger-side seal is indeed in the FAD and not the diff housing, however.

 

[BrandNewIn2022]

I would not change axle seals on a 2022. I just regeared my 2022 and left them in place. I can verify that the passenger-side seal is indeed in the FAD and not the diff housing, however.

I'm also considering leaving the seals alone. I see some are recommending it while doing gears. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[azwjowner]

I'm also considering leaving the seals alone. I see some are recommending it while doing gears. Thanks for your feedback!

If it were a 10+ year old differential, I'd do preventative maintenance while in there. But why would you replace 1-2 year old seals? You aren't really getting anywhere in terms of "restarting the clock" on the seals, and you just risk disturbing a known good seal and making things harder on yourself.

 

[azwjowner]

You're going to think I'm a monster, but I also didn't change my carrier bearings when I regeared my front axle (I kept the open diff). I had only 5000 miles on the Jeep and with the FAD the carrier doesn't even spin 99% of the time! Those bearings will likely last 200k or more. The front carrier bearings on my WJ were still in good shape at 160k and those were spinning every mile (with no load in 2wd, of course).

 

[grimmjeeper]

The M210 is a similar layout. The seal is at the FAD towards the knuckle. That keeps the FAD system lubricated.

You can use any pipe that's long enough to extend the handle of the seal driver in place. I had mine extending through the differential out through the driver side knuckle.

I only replaced my seals because I welded a truss on my axle. Welding will potentially destroy the seals. If they aren't leaking and you aren't ruining them like that I'd leave them alone.

 

[grimmjeeper]

You're going to think I'm a monster, but I also didn't change my carrier bearings when I regeared my front axle (I kept the open diff). I had only 5000 miles on the Jeep and with the FAD the carrier doesn't even spin 99% of the time! Those bearings will likely last 200k or more. The front carrier bearings on my WJ were still in good shape at 160k and those were spinning every mile (with no load in 2wd, of course).

No reason to replace new bearings in that case. If you swap out the carrier you should do new bearings because you often damage them getting them off the old carrier.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I'm also considering leaving the seals alone. I see some are recommending it while doing gears. Thanks for your feedback!

I would leave them alone. I re-geared my 2019 twice and had the axle shafts in and out at least 6 times after the first re-gear (which had trusses installed) with no issues or leaks.

Sponsored