Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK shifters

Advice please 2018 jeep jk

J

jojo

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Joined
Apr 21, 2025
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9
Location
Arizona
To make a long story short, I'm fighting breast cancer and definitely struggling to stay afloat so going to a shop is a no. I don't even know what the part is that shows a leak and sounds like something is broken if I attempt to drive. I am going to have to attempt to do this on my own but I need any advice I can get on what to do. Thank you
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Appears to be a rear differential seal leak. It could also be the pinion gear seal.

I'm being honest when I tell you this is not something I've had any experience with, but there will be plenty of help following behind me.
 
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Looks like the pinion seal. Doesn’t appear to be leaking too bad as it isn’t throwing gear oil around on adjacent surfaces. Is there any on the ground after you are parked for a while. If not, while it needs to get fixed seems like it would be okay to drive, but keep an eye on it.

Same as @Anybodyhome I’m no expert, just doesn’t seem to be that bad of a leak provided there is not any drops / puddles in the ground.
 
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Danarch said:
Looks like the pinion seal. Doesn’t appear to be leaking too bad as it isn’t throwing gear oil around on adjacent surfaces. Is there any on the ground after you are parked for a while. If not, while it needs to get fixed seems like it would be okay to drive, but keep an eye on it.

Same as @Anybodyhome I’m no expert, just doesn’t seem to be that bad of a leak provided there is not any drops / puddles in the ground.
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There's nothing on the garage floor, it sure sounds bad though. Thank you for the info
 
Danarch said:
It shouldn’t be making any noise. Are you sure the noise is coming from the differential? Is there any play in the driveshaft?
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I Asked a guy to check to see if everything was tightened under it and he said it was. But yes each bump brings a noise and vibration, kind of like a clunk sound when it goes over any bumps, even at a low speed, sounds like something is broken or going to fall off.
 
jojo said:
I Asked a guy to check to see if everything was tightened under it and he said it was. But yes each bump brings a noise and vibration, kind of like a clunk sound when it goes over any bumps, even at a low speed, sounds like something is broken or going to fall off.
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That seal leaking slightly won't cause that noise, did anyone check the oil level?

Bumps causing the noise and vibration would be shocks, wheel unit bearings, skid plates.
 
BLACKJKU said:
That seal leaking slightly won't cause that noise, did anyone check the oil level?

Bumps causing the noise and vibration would be shocks, wheel unit bearings, skid plates.
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Nobody checked the oil level, I am having trouble with doing much on it, I had a double mastectomy and I'm limited on reaching ECT . Yes I worry a lot about possibly the wheel bearings. My Drs are over an hour from me to get to and it wouldn't be good for a bearing to go when driving on the freeway.
 
If it's bumps and jolts that cause the noise, getting it up on a rack would allow someone to recreate it. Moving wheels, axles, shocks, driveshafts, etc. to locate the source of the noise.
If it was the pinion or rear end, it would be making noise whenever the drive shaft was rotating.
 
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