1000 miles leaking axle, metal shavings in differential

[MAJ80's]

Just a head's up. my JT has about 1000 miles on it. I'd seen post about leaking rear axles so I checked. Yep, it's leaking.
I told a friend to check her JT as well, it has about 2k miles on it. Yep, it's got the leaking rear axle.

The dealer just called to say on looking over my Jeep, they also found shavings in the rear differential. They need to order a new one.

I've had many Wranglers and Rams over the years, no big problems. Then, my 2020 Ram Limited 4x4 was a lemon. In and out of the shop for months over a fuel issue, never could be fixed. @RamCares, Ram corporate in the mix. Eventually lemon law lawyers too as the buyback took over a year.
I really didn't want to give the truck back but it just couldn't get fixed. Stuff happens, I get it.

Anyway, so now @JeepCares
I'm waiting to hear how long for a new rear differential to arrive. The axle was pre ordered awhile ago and already in.
Meanwhile, my JT sits useless at the dealership for who knows how long as a result of this differential issue now just found.

Mine is a loaded up $64k January 2021 Mojave build. My friend's is a bare bones, even roll down windows, just has the tow package, April 2021 $39k Sport. So, whatever your trim level, check your rear for a drip!

Then, when it's in, have them check the rear differential. Depending on how long you've been leaking, the rear axle leak could affect your rear brakes as well and they may need replacing too. Be sure they verify their condition either way.

I'm a lifelong Jeeper. So, all this just an FYI for fellow Jeepers to watch out for.

I dropped off my 2021 Willys JT for a lift and differential cover change. I have 7,000 miles on it. The installer called me to report finding a chunk of metal caught by the magnet. See picture. There doesn't appear to be damage to the gear teeth. I've never seen that, nor has his shop. It does bring to mind that I occasionally hear a sound from the area of the rear differential, but never isolated the sound. My installer thinks it might be cast iron from the housing, but can't tell where it came from. I'm not really sure what to do going forward.

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[ShadowsPapa]

It does sort of resemble flashing - but I'm sure you've already done or determined, have them go over that thing with a good light and good eyes, into every nook and cranny. Had that gotten wedged into a gear, I hate to even think..........

 

[Bjeepz]

Just a head's up, whatever your trim level, check your rear for a drip!

Sorry OP, this seemed appropriate to my childish mind!

 

[Gren71]

I actually just had my rear dif fluid checked and they found the metal in the fluid, as well as a "large chunk". They ultimately replaced the rear gears and guts under my extended warranty. Thankfully I have the extended warranty our it would have been a pricey find. The truck was asymptomatic when I went it and they found the problem during a routine mile based service. No idea where the metal came from.

 

[SnazGlad]

Update:
They replaced the entire rear axle end to end on mine. New one came complete with new brakes etc all attached right out of the crate.

Upon taking it in when the leak and metal shavings were seen, I was told it was not safe to even drive it home.

Since, at the time, it would be a good two months plus to get the new axle, I didn't want the JTM baking and collecting bird crap outside at the dealership all that time. This is when I learned what a pos the Jeep towing service, included with your purchase, is.

Two days (and, a couple hours wasted trying to get it towed via Jeep towing service) dealing with an overseas phone bank for the Jeep towing, encountering phone bank language issues etc.

Not the phone operator's fault as they are trying to do their job from where they are based but this set up does NOT work and you can NOT count on that towing service.

They could not understand it was being towed from the dealership to my house since a part it needed to drive was back ordered a good two months. They just kept telling me how they would tow it to the dealership from the pick up address I gave them. When I gave the dealer address and then my home address where it was to be towed to, they then set up the tow from the dealership address to tow me to that dealership! I found this out when the tow company called to confirm the tow of a few feet! lol.

I hung up, called AAA and they were there in 15 minutes to tow it back to my house. I did the same to get it back to the dealer when the axle came in.

Anyway, new axle been in for a few months, I've not really driven it much, I think there's like 3500 miles total now. Seems to be ok. It goes in for the first oil change next week so I'll have them take another look.

 

[Gren71]

Update:
They replaced the entire rear axle end to end on mine. New one came complete with new brakes etc all attached right out of the crate.

Upon taking it in when the leak and metal shavings were seen, I was told it was not safe to even drive it home.

Since, at the time, it would be a good two months plus to get the new axle, I didn't want the JTM baking and collecting bird crap outside at the dealership all that time. This is when I learned what a pos the Jeep towing service, included with your purchase, is.

Two days (and, a couple hours wasted trying to get it towed via Jeep towing service) dealing with an overseas phone bank for the Jeep towing, encountering phone bank language issues etc.

Not the phone operator's fault as they are trying to do their job from where they are based but this set up does NOT work and you can NOT count on that towing service.

They could not understand it was being towed from the dealership to my house since a part it needed to drive was back ordered a good two months. They just kept telling me how they would tow it to the dealership from the pick up address I gave them. When I gave the dealer address and then my home address where it was to be towed to, they then set up the tow from the dealership address to tow me to that dealership! I found this out when the tow company called to confirm the tow of a few feet! lol.

I hung up, called AAA and they were there in 15 minutes to tow it back to my house. I did the same to get it back to the dealer when the axle came in.

Anyway, new axle been in for a few months, I've not really driven it much, I think there's like 3500 miles total now. Seems to be ok. It goes in for the first oil change next week so I'll have them take another look.

wild experience. Glad you at least got it home. I left mine at the shop for three weeks. But I was only waiting on rear diff guts. No issues since getting it back though. Ill be having them change the rear dif fluid at my next oil change.

 

[MAJ80's]

I dropped off my 2021 Willys JT for a lift and differential cover change. I have 7,000 miles on it. The installer called me to report finding a chunk of metal caught by the magnet. See picture. There doesn't appear to be damage to the gear teeth. I've never seen that, nor has his shop. It does bring to mind that I occasionally hear a sound from the area of the rear differential, but never isolated the sound. My installer thinks it might be cast iron from the housing, but can't tell where it came from. I'm not really sure what to do going forward.

Attached are pictures of them with measurements. The three pieces are each metal and attracted to magnets, if that matters.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Definitely look like remnants of the manufacturing process - casting debris, flashing type stuff. That's really sloppy to see that in there, scary, IMO.

 

[JET_83]

I dropped off my 2021 Willys JT for a lift and differential cover change. I have 7,000 miles on it. The installer called me to report finding a chunk of metal caught by the magnet. See picture. There doesn't appear to be damage to the gear teeth. I've never seen that, nor has his shop. It does bring to mind that I occasionally hear a sound from the area of the rear differential, but never isolated the sound. My installer thinks it might be cast iron from the housing, but can't tell where it came from. I'm not really sure what to do going forward.

Poor quality and that’s not good too see, sorry, man.

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