Mac,
This may be easier than you think....except for pulling the brake drum.
-Pull the drum.
-Disconnect the brake line.
-Unbolt the 6 backing plate bolts.
-Pull the entire backing plate and brake assembly. �(The outer seal and grease cup will stay in position if a sealant was used during assembly)
-You will now be at the bearing retainer plate. (about 1/8" thick and a smaller inside diameter than the shimms)
-Shims are next
This is what you'll see...
The inner reddish thing is the bearing. �The larger diameter thing around it is the bearing cup. (There may be different terminology in the manual.) �It holds the bearing in place. �These are both pressed in. �I've found out that you can remove these by hitting the axle from the other side of the Jeep. �It may not be the right way, but it does work. Use a block of wood. �You may not need to remove these to fix your problem. If they look good, leave them alone.
If you are leaking from behind the backing plate, you should add a small amount of Permatex # 2 sealant to every surface. �Clean up all surfaces on axle, shims, bearing retainer plate, and brake backing plate. �Apply a very thin coat of Perm2 to end of axle housing flange. �Install first shim. �More Perm2. Next shim. �More Perm2. etc... every surface until you get the backing plate re-installed. �Again, very thin coats.
If you find the leak is on the front face of your backing plate. �This may be your problem....
�
This is, of course, the outer seal. �If yours is old, replace it. �It should be installed with a gasket in behind, and a gasket in front, just under the grease cup. I use a bit of Perm2 on each of these surfaces also.
This approach has worked for me on 2 different rear axles. �Never a leak of diff oil or grease. �Hopefully this helps.
Tim �
