Leaking axle seal?

[ShadowsPapa]

Asked a simple question on where exactly is the leak. I get a rant. The engineer in me wants to know.

I've worked on everything from lawn mowers to 2,000 MW steam turbine generators. Built my own race cars. You're not telling me anything new that I already know.

But you didn't ask a simple question -
You said - Too much lube in the diff and it's blowing past the seals when hot?
I said no, no way, that's not possible and countered with why only right, and further you aren't going to get too much in and it wouldn't matter if you could -
then you stated that you have seen seals leak and vents shoot fluid from them being too full.......... and since I already countered your asking if they were too full, I took your second post about seeing seals leak when things were too full as not accepting that these can't be too full - and no, that's not the problem anyway.

We all want to know. I don't like anything where they simply start tossing parts in - and there's no deeper investigation.

My gut says that it's the housing since some were fixed by replacing the right axle (with seal and bearing) and some were not and it took a whole assembly swap in those cases. I wonder if there's something in how the seal fits the housing and replacing just the right axle made a difference in some - that the issue isn't with the right axle itself. Some may have been fixed because of the way the new seal (on the axle already) went in - who knows if they used any sealer around the seal, if these seals have that made onto them or what. Why there's any with a full swap that ended up leaking again MAY BE due to some earlier parts being in the channels, in the depots that supply dealers.

One member has tried hard to nail that down by asking about axle assembly build dates but has anyone actually posted that - or not?
That's why I've said for months - I want to see one of these up close and person, in my hands. It's not going to take very long to find it.

I've resolved bigger issues than this so it's frustrating to see it's still going on months later with no real information coming out. Even getting axle housing or assembly build dates is hard but I get it - it's winter and who is going to climb under their truck to look for numbers on their axle housings.
The whole keys to this lie in the facts - it's right only for 99% of these, there's no pinion seal leak, there's no left seal leak, and sometimes replacing the right axle only fixes it.

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[Sank]

Mojave2021 can you please post a part number/ revision of your new housing so we can all check if it's different than the original?

Part number my dealer ordered is 68422837AF.

One member has tried hard to nail that down by asking about axle assembly build dates but has anyone actually posted that - or not?

Your question was about build dates, but I was trying to track down if we could collect any info on progression in part numbers or revisions. All we have on that front is the replaced housing part number. Single data point, not enough to know anything yet :- )

 

[Rusty PW]

But you didn't ask a simple question -
You said - Too much lube in the diff and it's blowing past the seals when hot?
I said no, no way, that's not possible and countered with why only right, and further you aren't going to get too much in and it wouldn't matter if you could -
then you stated that you have seen seals leak and vents shoot fluid from them being too full.......... and since I already countered your asking if they were too full, I took your second post about seeing seals leak when things were too full as not accepting that these can't be too full - and no, that's not the problem anyway.

We all want to know. I don't like anything where they simply start tossing parts in - and there's no deeper investigation.

My gut says that it's the housing since some were fixed by replacing the right axle (with seal and bearing) and some were not and it took a whole assembly swap in those cases. I wonder if there's something in how the seal fits the housing and replacing just the right axle made a difference in some - that the issue isn't with the right axle itself. Some may have been fixed because of the way the new seal (on the axle already) went in - who knows if they used any sealer around the seal, if these seals have that made onto them or what. Why there's any with a full swap that ended up leaking again MAY BE due to some earlier parts being in the channels, in the depots that supply dealers.

One member has tried hard to nail that down by asking about axle assembly build dates but has anyone actually posted that - or not?
That's why I've said for months - I want to see one of these up close and person, in my hands. It's not going to take very long to find it.

I've resolved bigger issues than this so it's frustrating to see it's still going on months later with no real information coming out. Even getting axle housing or assembly build dates is hard but I get it - it's winter and who is going to climb under their truck to look for numbers on their axle housings.
The whole keys to this lie in the facts - it's right only for 99% of these, there's no pinion seal leak, there's no left seal leak, and sometimes replacing the right axle only fixes it.

I did ask the question. Post #1126.
" What I want to know is. Where is the leak happening at? At the seal/axle area, or the seal/housing area? Is the axle machined too small? The ID in the seal too big? Is the seal OD too small? Is the fit area in the housing machined too big? Too much lube in the diff and it's blowing past the seals when hot? "

Lets skip the lube over fill for now. That is a separate topic to be had over beers.

Where is the seal leaking exactly. Between the axle and seal? Or the seal and axle housing? 3 things that could be wrong. The seal is missed sized either on ID or OD. The axle shaft seal area is under sized. Last is the axle housing where the seal fits is machined wrong/oversized. Given the number of times the axle shafts have been replaced. Then have the whole diff replaced after the 2nd shaft was replaced. It's mostly on one side. I'm leaning on there is a batch of axle housing ends that was machined on a CNC that are wrong and slipped through QC. And some of the replacement diff have those same ends on them too.

 

[Rusty PW]

Your question was about build dates, but I was trying to track down if we could collect any info on progression in part numbers or revisions. All we have on that front is the replaced housing part number. Single data point, not enough to know anything yet :- )

i have a ship of 3/8/22 for mine. When I get it. I'll find the number and post it.

 

[Mojave2021]

On the first replacement (axle only) it was 800 miles, the second replacement (axle only) 500 miles, the 3rd replacement (axle housing) im at 1000 miles with no leak so far ?

Nice that makes at least 2 of us at >1000 miles after the housing replacement.

I see everyone interested in problem solving here but recommend pushing your dealer for the housing replacement. It can’t hurt.

 

[Kickaxe07]

Nice that makes at least 2 of us at >1000 miles after the housing replacement.

I see everyone interested in problem solving here but recommend pushing your dealer for the housing replacement. It can’t hurt.

I spoke too soon, mine is leaking after the housing being replaced

 

[ShadowsPapa]

i have a ship of 3/8/22 for mine. When I get it. I'll find the number and post it.

Part numbers, any dates, part number revisions (the AA, AB and so on at the end) any type of info - this is a puzzle with 1/3 of the pieces missing (maybe more)

Speaking of turbo equipment - here's where I worked in the 90s - control, not repair......
https://www.cccglobal.com/

 

[Rusty PW]

Part numbers, any dates, part number revisions (the AA, AB and so on at the end) any type of info - this is a puzzle with 1/3 of the pieces missing (maybe more)

Speaking of turbo equipment - here's where I worked in the 90s - control, not repair......
https://www.cccglobal.com/

Anything I find. I will post. I'm curious to see what the revisions are. Are they up to AD or higher.

We're chewed some of the same dirt. LOL Worked for Elliott TurboMachinery from 88 to 03. Welder/mechanic/machinist. Got my welding and engineering degrees with their help. Was a ASE Master Cert mechanic before that. Retired as a senior control room operator at a combine cycle power plant.

 

[Jeeppop72]

Ok, just found this forum and thread. I too apparently need to join this leaky club. Reason for looking is that I have noticed over the past few weeks that my braking was getting soft. It now takes a few pumps to get a firm brake pedal. In searching for issues online, I came across this site:

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Jeep/Gladiator/2021/brakes/service_brakes.shtml

It kept showing results for leaking rear axle seals to which I searched and came across this massive thread. I have yet to read thru all 77 pages, but surely FCA would take notice.

I have an appt next week at my dealer to look at it and give me their two cents.

As for build date, shows as 9-21 and MDH 090312. Crazy as I just picked this up in late September 21 and have just over 6500 miles.

As soon as I read this thread today, I went out and checked my RR axle. Sure enough.

I sent a link to this thread to both my dealer and the Jeep Cares chat rep I was inquiring with. Neither one had heard of this problem and I was the first.

Guess I will have to wait til next week and see. Hope the replacement works and isn't months out.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

This leaky seal issue is gaining faster ground than the misfires thread. What would we all do if we actually analysed our transmission oil too and found glycol in there from the assembly plant?

 

[Rusty PW]

This leaky seal issue is gaining faster ground than the misfires thread. What would we all do if we actually analysed our transmission oil too and found glycol in there from the assembly plant?

Wouldn't be the first time something like that happening.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Wouldn't be the first time something like that happening.

Yup. And I have a feeling the misfires are working out of the population now as time moves on. I don't believe that the misfires were as numerous as the leaks........... could be wrong as the internet isn't a good place to judge actual numbers.
The leak is a 2021 issue, the misfires were 2020 and on - so it makes sense one problem is being resolved or fading while another comes into view.
Like all other automotive problems, we don't see anyone complaining about the Vega engine consuming oil or Pinto fuel tank issues. ? Hopefully those have all been fixed by now.

But - on the misfire, I recently learned another fellow has a misfire on his JT - I figured since he's had it for quite a while he'd have a lot of miles on it, nope, only about 6,000 miles so there may still be some pop up as they get over 5,000 miles or so on them.
Mine is just shy of 24,000 miles, no leaks, no misfires.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Wouldn't be the first time something like that happening.

Gee…I’ve had it now one year (32k kms) and the only thing I don’t have yet is a leaky seal. Coolant consuming engine from the factory, blown transmission with glycol from assembly, power steering pump gone bad, two misfires and camshaft replacement and creaky doors that may be broken welds on the inside. One year already. I’m running out of things to break down.

 

[mountainpass]

The build dates affected seem to be limited. 2020 no issues, 2021 models only a range of months.... have we had any 2022 model year vehicles with this leak yet? I've lost track.

No 2022's as of yet. As for 2021 the very early builds including mine are safe for now but seems to stretch all the way to 2022 change over.

 

[Kickaxe07]

No 2022's as of yet. As for 2021 the very early builds including mine are safe for now but seems to stretch all the way to 2022 change over.

Mine was built on 10/31/2020

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