My 04 XKR is leaking out the axle side on the Differential 55k miles. i also want to service the Rear Axel (Suspension and Drive Line) (no leaks) on my 06 XKR 84K miles. Is putting in new seals good enough or what else should I do? How long are U-Joints good for? Anybody got some input?

 

I can only tell you that I'm on original u-joints in back, but i also regreased them at about 80k. My car currently has 154k on her.

 

The rear drive shafts are a CV type with enclosed boots, there is no regreasing to be done. The only repair is to replace the axle if it gets a torn boot or develops a chatter due to wear. The rear suspension and drive axles of the 04 is totally different from the 03. If the diff is leaking, I suggest having a shop repair it as this is not an easy DIY job. I also suggest that if the output seal is leaking, it won't be long for the pinion seal either, so get them all fixed at teh same time. The pinion shaft turns three times as fast as the output shaft, getting three times the wear.

 

The reason for having a shop do the work is that it takes a special tool to remove the drive axle and getting to the output seal. Torn boots can be repaired but by the time you get to them, the CV is usually bad from lack of grease, so just replace the whole thing.

 

OOps, ignore my comments, I thougth I was on the XJ8 thread! Sorry, the XK8 has the older lubable drive axles that form the upper arm of the suspension , but the comments on difficulty still go.

 

I was beginning to wonder what i had pushed grease into. thx for clarifying oldmots.