Leaking axle seal?

[Wildtoad]

So I called the local Jeep dealer whom I’ve used many times over the years and not just for jeeps. I told them I got the letter and verified mine was leaking. So we set a date to get it fixed just a few days from now. I asked if they had the required parts. She put me on hold and when she came back she advised that they will not order the parts until they physically inspect it, could or would not order the parts until THEY look at it. I can see their point, but sure makes it bothersome.

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[Dartboy]

I've had the right rear seal leak for a while, finally got the truck in for service. Got a call from the dealership saying they verified the leak. I would swear he said they were replacing the axle, he definitely said "they had one in Boston they would ship down and have it done by tomorrow"

Today I picked it up and the paperwork says just the seal was replaced and fluid topped off. I think it's odd that he'd mention shipping just a seal from ~200 miles away. Checked Mopar.com and it says my truck is not under the recall. '21 MaxTow, MDH92403, 31K miles, no letter(yet?)

Anyone know the VIN range of the recall?

 

[danimal2000]

Had mine inspected and caught after an oil change a couple months back. In and fixed within a week or 2. Got lucky it was done before the now nationwide rush and search for parts i guess. Dealer had the parts already didn't even have to order back in June. It seemed like they were expecting this sort of recall or whatever u call it as this was coming up a lot. Maybe they stocked parts in anticipation?
I still got a letter last week though.

 

[mountainpass]

(Snip)

'21 MaxTow, MDH92403, 31K miles, no letter(yet?)

Anyone know the VIN range of the recall?

I've tried to keep up with it.
Earliest with leak in this thread is 9-30-2020, latest is 12-06-2021.

My 21 is an earlier build than yours and no leaks. My thought is first trucks used left over axles from the 20 model, then new shipment arrived. I haven't gotten a letter yet either. I dont think thet are calling it a recall either.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've tried to keep up with it.
Earliest with leak in this thread is 9-30-2020, latest is 12-06-2021.

My 21 is an earlier build than yours and no leaks. My thought is first trucks used left over axles from the 20 model, then new shipment arrived. I haven't gotten a letter yet either. I dont think thet are calling it a recall either.

Just-in-time was pioneered by AMC back in the 50s means there's not stacks of "left-over" axles. They likely wouldn't have many at all. They shut down new orders to keep inventory and orders of parts accurate.
I can't imagine there being more than days worth if that.

These companies keep extremely tight reigns on inventory and parts come in pretty much "just in time" so they aren't stuck with left-over stuff. When a new model year comes out the last thing they want is anything left that may not work out in a slightly changed new model.
Strikes by UAW can screw that up as was seen in late 1969 (I think I got the year right) and there were some changes that didn't take place and left-overs due to lost production but in normal times- it's not like there are dozens of pallets of axles left.

 

[mountainpass]

Well my theory kinda of explains why this might be happening.

Now if I were a real conspiracy theororist maybe the widely reported, although possibly perceived issue with the aluminum steering box rushed them into changing the model year early? All 21s had the steel box. I mean they changed model years in Sept for 21 over that as for 22 they didn't do so until much later, same for 23.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well my theory kinda of explains why this might be happening.

Now if I were a real conspiracy theororist maybe the widely reported, although possibly perceived issue with the aluminum steering box rushed them into changing the model year early? All 21s had the steel box. I mean they changed model years in Sept for 21 over that as for 22 they didn't do so until much later, same for 23.

LOL - no, when problems are found they resolve it and incorporate the change into the upcoming model year or make a mid-model year change. Nothing about a steering gear is going to change model year introduction dates.
Dana makes these axles - Dana apparently had an issue with supplies, axle machining or tube machining, etc.
It wasn't a model year change, it was a product change.
I've been in the business for decades, and followed this sort of thing, including supplier contracts and so on.
I have, for example, board meeting notes from Motorola, supplier of the charging system (alternator and regulator) for AMC in the 60s and early 70s. I can show where Motorola made a corporate decision to change model numbering and to incorporate changes in the units they were producing for their customers. This forced a change at AMC just into the 1970 model year, a few hundred units. I have the exact dates, etc.
Jeep buys the steering gear from another supplier - they don't make them. Very possibly it's Saginaw. It was Saginaw for years past......... Jeep can specify ratios and certain other things, but they don't change model year timing over what Saginaw does.
Model year introduction dates have been fluid for a long time. It's always varied a bit. And these days the flux of the industry is going to make it worse.
It's not determined by small parts - it's determined at a much higher level.
Jeep had 3 model years of experience to see there was an issue with the steering - they decided to change it for the 2021 model year. That's about it. The model year won't be moved just for a steering gear.

 

[Aceman8772]

21 Aug read this thread on the forum and inspected, sure enough oil residue on the inside brake area.
21 Aug called dealer and got lucky for an appointment 23 Aug.
21 Aug Letter received.

2021 Max Tow with 30k rounded up. Build 06/21
Tires were rotated at 21k by dealer and no leak was noted. Potentially have been driving with the leak for a long time.

Fingers crossed they have the part but not counting on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'd still like to get my hands on one of these 2021 assemblies that leaks and find out WHY.
2020 no leaks
2021 leaks
2022 (last I knew, no leaks)
Dana makes these - Dana changed some process or part or source of some part.
I'm not really amazed that it took so long to figure out they had a problem since it had to go up so many ladders (any good fire station wouldn't have as many ladders) and staff is short everywhere, and it all had to be tracked and kicked back to Dana for final resolution, but still.......... I'd bet with 2 or 3 of these a good troubleshooter could figure it out in short order (assuming they had the actual specs in hand)

 

[The Yeti]

So apparently this is a recall now. Dropped my 21' 80th anniversary off for a few thing under warranty this mornin and they were suprised and said there is a recal for the Right rear axle due to a possibly leak. Sounds like the same as whats being discussed in this thread. They said it was a brand new recall. Truck was there a week or 2 ago and it didn't show up then.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So apparently this is a recall now. Dropped my 21' 80th anniversary off for a few thing under warranty this mornin and they were suprised and said there is a recal for the Right rear axle due to a possibly leak. Sounds like the same as whats being discussed in this thread. They said it was a brand new recall. Truck was there a week or 2 ago and it didn't show up then.

RRT at least - not necessarily a recall as NHTSA views it but FCA will call it that.
And yes, before it was a "fix as they come in, toss parts at it" and now it's a "we see you may have problems, please bring it in so we can fix it" thing.

 

[The Yeti]

Ya when she said that I was thinking more of a TSB os probly what she meant

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ya when she said that I was thinking more of a TSB os probly what she meant

RRT - Rapid Release Transmittal - "we have a problem, gotta deal with it - take care of this" type of thing. They'll call it a recall and that's fine - gives it urgency, let them do what they need to do to deal with a 2+ year old issue that's been annoying and plaguing hundreds of people for a long time now (not to mention soaking brakes and being a possible safety issue)

 

[Alpine Warthog]

Got mine fixed, ( Date of MFR says 12-20. MDH 121006 ) after finding my brakes caked in greasy dirt.

Got the letter a couple weeks later. Mentioned I'd received the letter when I took it to the dealer for an oil change. They inspected it again to cover the "recall" less than 1000 miles after doing the fix. SMH, no idea why they insisted on looking at it again

 

[Hootbro]

Got mine fixed, ( Date of MFR says 12-20. MDH 121006 ) after finding my brakes caked in greasy dirt.

Got the letter a couple weeks later. Mentioned I'd received the letter when I took it to the dealer for an oil change. They inspected it again to cover the "recall" less than 1000 miles after doing the fix. SMH, no idea why they insisted on looking at it again

It is a easy bill for warranty time plus they have an actual service record visit against the recall letter to satisfy it.

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