66K here, and I had to do my front axle seals as well as replace the spider gears. Seems quite common for the casting of the spider gears to crack. Though, I did not have to actually replace them because there was no whining, and no noise or meshing issues, I just did it for good measure. Every generation of Wrangler had their flaws, unfortunately.
@HDRyder Ive been told an experienced off-roaders here in the NE that those "seals" are a gimmick. Water and grit still gets past and builds up in the axel tubes. Keeps rocks out but the seals at the pumping are what keeps the gear oil in and clean. When grit gets trapped and the water escapes, you get a clot of crud in the axel tubes. Happened to me.
