Leaking axle seal?

[ShadowsPapa]

I notice mine leaks after longer trips over 15 miles, when it can heat up, but for short trips on cooler days no leak after ride??? It makes me believe in the pressure and vent is an issue, but still concerned about why the seal is weaker than the vent. Not sure why jeep isn't looking into this problem, as it seems fairly common.

Funny you should say that - according to the NTHSA, they ARE looking to find "commonalities" that are causing the leaking RIGHT axle seal.
Again - RIGHT seal is one key here. If it's purely a matter of pressure then the left should leak at the same rate - like flipping a coin or anything else where there are even odds. The axles experience the same heat, the same rotations and forces, the same stresses and are at the same level as far as lube exposure - and yet, how many left seals are leaking? I hear people say "I saw where someone had a left seal leak" - likely a one-off but then again - it's not a direct link or picture of a left seal leaking - it's "I saw that........." which is like "because I said so" with no backing.

Facts speak - how many here have a 2021 GLADIATOR with a left axle seal leaking?

Has anyone found a link to point to a person with a 2021 GLADIATOR with a left axle seal - that's not in this forum?

Just one doesn't necessarily count because they should be equal numbers. It's highly possible that a single instance of a left seal leaking is just bad luck. If it's pressure, then both seals should be leaking equally - in other words, if 10 people have leaking axle seals in a 2021 GLADIATOR, then I'd expect at least 3 of those to be left seals.
If there are 15 people with leaking axle seals, I'd expect at least 5 to 7 of those to be left seals if it's a matter of pressure.

Can anyone research the vent used and show the pressure ratings and the cfm they pass?

Has no one just pulled the stupid leaking axle shaft to see for themselves what the issues is? Burs on the seal surface, bend shaft, poor seal install ect ect.....

Replacing a seal is not rocket science, your telling me a place like parts plus or a bearing house can't find a replacement seal for these axles and it has to be a mopar part?

The hardest part of the operation is getting the bearing lock ring off.

And that's not hard with a Dremel or a press. I've changed too many axle seals and bearings to keep track of. I've used a torch to cut that ring, I've used a Dremel with a cutting disk, and I've used my press.
You can just see the split I made with the cutting disk, then hitting it with a chisel to finish the split and it slid right off. (Jeep Dana axle, bearing cup actually broke - that's the other thin ring in the middle!)

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[ZSum73]

Funny you should say that - according to the NTHSA, they ARE looking to find "commonalities" that are causing the leaking RIGHT axle seal.
Again - RIGHT seal is one key here. If it's purely a matter of pressure then the left should leak at the same rate - like flipping a coin or anything else where there are even odds. The axles experience the same heat, the same rotations and forces, the same stresses and are at the same level as far as lube exposure - and yet, how many left seals are leaking? I hear people say "I saw where someone had a left seal leak" - likely a one-off but then again - it's not a direct link or picture of a left seal leaking - it's "I saw that........." which is like "because I said so" with no backing.

Facts speak - how many here have a 2021 GLADIATOR with a left axle seal leaking?

Has anyone found a link to point to a person with a 2021 GLADIATOR with a left axle seal - that's not in this forum?

Just one doesn't necessarily count because they should be equal numbers. It's highly possible that a single instance of a left seal leaking is just bad luck. If it's pressure, then both seals should be leaking equally - in other words, if 10 people have leaking axle seals in a 2021 GLADIATOR, then I'd expect at least 3 of those to be left seals.
If there are 15 people with leaking axle seals, I'd expect at least 5 to 7 of those to be left seals if it's a matter of pressure.

Can anyone research the vent used and show the pressure ratings and the cfm they pass?


And that's not hard with a Dremel or a press. I've changed too many axle seals and bearings to keep track of. I've used a torch to cut that ring, I've used a Dremel with a cutting disk, and I've used my press.
You can just see the split I made with the cutting disk, then hitting it with a chisel to finish the split and it slid right off. (Jeep Dana axle, bearing cup actually broke - that's the other thin ring in the middle!)

maybe the seal is crimped at one spot and that spot has to be at the lowest point to leak. Mine has been strange and ive been watching almost daily and recording all the info. It seems to come and go, but always after longer rides. I am just pissed my new truck has to be taken apart so soon at 600 miles. I do what i can for maintainence and hate people working on my car unless totally necessary, which this is, for me at least. I just want to know why it happened, not we fixed it your all set, id like to know. Hope they figure it out soon. im in Thursday for repair and replacement...I love this truck btw....was hoping year 2 was going to be closer to perfect, lol

 

[ShadowsPapa]

maybe the seal is crimped at one spot and that spot has to be at the lowest point to leak. Mine has been strange and ive been watching almost daily and recording all the info. It seems to come and go, but always after longer rides. I am just pissed my new truck has to be taken apart so soon at 600 miles. I do what i can for maintainence and hate people working on my car unless totally necessary, which this is, for me at least. I just want to know why it happened, not we fixed it your all set, id like to know. Hope they figure it out soon. im in Thursday for repair and replacement...I love this truck btw....

I would LOVE TO HAVE MAY HANDS on one of these! I'd really love it if I could see what the dealership sees - and take it further. I love forensics work - love it.

By the way - talking of "crimp", wrinkles, things misplaced in installation - those complaining of the defroster only clearing the center of the windshield - LOL - yeah, some of those are factory mess-ups during installation! I found a picture and information on that. So - maybe the seal has a similar background...........

 

[JeepCares]

Update: I took my truck in to the dealership this morning. I showed them the leak, they disappeared for a while, came back out to tell me that they needed to keep my truck there until the part came in to get it fixed. Unfortunately, the backorder thing is true so there isn’t a good time estimate for repair. I asked if I could drive it home and put the truck in my nice, secure garage. They said if I did that it wouldn’t be in a priority status to get fixed and they wouldn’t cover a rental vehicle. So now my truck is sitting outside of the service department in a less than desirable part of town exposed to the elements for an undetermined amount of time. It’s frustrating because I don’t consider this a cheap vehicle and I have a garage to keep it out of the 100 degree sun and wildfire smoke but I can’t get the same warranty benefits if I take the truck that I make a payment on home with me? Here’s to hoping that some homeless tweaker doesn’t cut open my soft top and use my truck as a home for the night while I drive a crappy Kia that I can’t tow with. @JeepCares is this normal?

Thanks for tagging our team here, Rusty Shackleford. We can certainly discuss your concerns further. Send us a private message to get started.

Kate
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[mountainpass]

July 28, 2021 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11426759
Components: POWER TRAIN
NHTSA ID Number: 11426759
Incident Date June 29, 2021
Consumer Location JACKSONVILLE, FL
Vehicle Identification Number 1C6HJTAG3ML****
Summary of Complaint
CRASHNo
FIRENo
INJURIES0
DEATHS0
Jeep is seeing a common issue with the passenger side rear axle seal leaking which is then leaking onto the brake and could cause a potential safety issue
1 Affected Product
Request Research (Services fees apply)

Edit: 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR PU/CC 4WD | NHTSA

 

[Renegade]

These are in the rear only. The front has a standard vent. My front is showing some evidence of a leak. My rear is not.
https://www.gore.com/products/gore-automotive-vents-for-drivetrain-and-driveline-components

https://www.gore.com/system/files/2019-01/GORE-Automotive-Vents-AVS41-US.pdf

 

[ShadowsPapa]

July 28, 2021 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11426759
Components: POWER TRAIN
NHTSA ID Number: 11426759
Incident Date June 29, 2021
Consumer Location JACKSONVILLE, FL
Vehicle Identification Number 1C6HJTAG3ML****
Summary of Complaint
CRASHNo
FIRENo
INJURIES0
DEATHS0
Jeep is seeing a common issue with the passenger side rear axle seal leaking which is then leaking onto the brake and could cause a potential safety issue
1 Affected Product
Request Research (Services fees apply)

Edit: 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR PU/CC 4WD | NHTSA

Yup - that's one of the things I found.
Note that this says "common issue" and "passenger side rear"...........

 

[JCHGlad]

Same issue here, but not with my 2021 JT, it’s on our 2018 JL, dealer ordered the parts, it’ll be fixed next week.

 

[WXman]

Like my college instructor for engine design and repair used to say: "when someone says "I've been doing it this way for 30 years" that doesn't mean it was right all that time".

I had a professor who said, "There may be different ways to get to the answer. The important thing is to get to the answer."

The "improper" way we do things has worked for decades. I see no reason to over complicate it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My OCD won't let it go at "there, now it doesn't leak". I MUST find root causes and I must leave nothing out. My training and shop experience tells me to test, document, and find root cause.
I strive for perfection, leave little or even nothing to chance. I must know the exact cause. I can't settle, personally, for making it not leak. Plus - even if mine leaked and I know I could "fix it" so it didn't leak - It's on Jeep, not me.
Just like the trailer brake controller, I wasn't stopping until the thing was fixed - BY Jeep. A diode got around the issue - but there was still the issue and I couldn't let it remain an issue even if things worked.

So, just agree it's a thing with me - I can't let a leaking seal be repaired by any means other than finding root cause - making SURE it's THE root cause, and repairing that. Yes, I'll look for contributing factors... But I'm a root cause, tear it down to the last molecule, sort of person.

 

[CPO]

Well went for first oil change today

, found the rear passenger axle shaft leaking. Covered under warranty thank goodness. Axles and seals though on national back order. So no telling how long in a repair.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Luckily at that rate, assuming it doesn't increase in RATE, it will take months to get down even 3 or 4 ounces, maybe even longer.
Little help to you, I know - but at least it's not at risk for internal damage due to loss of lube. Still a royal pain in the butt to have to even deal with it.

 

[CPO]

What is your MDH#? It's on a sticker on driver door b pillar. Earliest in thread with leak is 10-12-2020.

mdh is 9-30-20

 

[CPO]

Luckily at that rate, assuming it doesn't increase in RATE, it will take months to get down even 3 or 4 ounces, maybe even longer.
Little help to you, I know - but at least it's not at risk for internal damage due to loss of lube. Still a royal pain in the butt to have to even deal with it.

Yeah I’m not happy about it at all! Like you said I could rice it for a bit. But, decided to leave at dealership. I don’t want the risk of having an accident with the kiddos in it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah I’m not happy about it at all! Like you said I could rice it for a bit. But, decided to leave at dealership. I don’t want the risk of having an accident with the kiddos in it.

Yup - lube on brakes = not good, brakes won't grab. A "little" lube is bad as well because that is sticky and can cause brakes to lock - wonder what that would make the ABS think.......

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