Banging from front end in 4H and 4L

[Hootbro]

I ended up calling the Jeep dealership directly, just to ask what the diagnosis was and what parts were ordered. This was bad of me, apparently. It escalated a bit, and now there is an email chain so Carmax can send me information directly.

Anyway, they are either replacing or resealing the oil pan and replacing the differential assembly. Both Jeep and Carmax are going to check the axle to see if the entire thing needs to be replaced, but the differential is on order because supposedly it is backordered for 45 days at minimum. because of supply line issues.

I am waiting to hear about a loaner.

Yeah, they probably look at CarMax as their customer on this and not you.

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[BanjoBani]

Yeah I don’t know what the deal was and who didn’t like it—Jeep or CarMax. Kinda frustrated.

 

[MattK]

My bingo card had the Front Axle Disconnect (FAD) on it since it's engaged when you use 4H/L and it's on the right side of the axle.

 

[BanjoBani]

Yeah that’s what I thought too, which is why I sort wanted them to actually explain it to me.

But differential makes sense.

 

[BanjoBani]

Now I just have to be patient. Meanwhile they gave me a blacked out Chevy Blazer as a loaner .

 

[BanjoBani]

I called Customer Service at Jeep and they gave me the part and order number. They are replacing the whole front axle, not just the front differential.

I am not sure if something changed or there was a miscommunication.

They were very helpful and said it is perfectly okay to call them or the Jeep dealership directly with any questions.

Now I just have to be patient and wait for the part to come in.

I am going to get some stuff out of it today, so at least I will be able to visit it.

 

[BanjoBani]

I talked to the dealership when I picked up my stuff. It was aways the plan to replace front axle. It was just being called the diff assembly at times and maybe the CarMax guy didn’t know that meant the whole front axle, because why wouldn’t he tell me when I kept asking if they would also check the rest of axle? Sigh .

Jeep also said they checked the frame and everything is straight.

I asked about being told not to talk to Jeep directly and they told me it was because CarMax was paying for it. But I pointed out they really weren’t. It was being covered under the Jeep warranty. After that Jeep seemed much more open with the info but also explained to me that CarMax has every bit of information that they do and in real time… so that is helpful to know if I am not getting my questions answered in the future.

I do feel confident the prob has been identified and that it will get fixed. But I do NOT feel I am out of line for wanting my questions answered.

Meanwhile I arranged to have the Jeep dealership inspect it so I can get the mopar protection plan, which will give me more time to work out any more bugs that may come up. And I am going to have them install the off-road bumper with winch set up.

And if y’all haven’t figured out I am Jeep gal who knows a tiny bit about Jeeps… enough to have questions when stuff is being done. My husband is disabled due to an accident, and although he does well, I sort of have to handle all the logistics of stuff like this now. The Gladiator is not our first Jeep but it’s the first one that I am sort of responsible for so I am feeling the pressure. It was also a big, splurgy purchase for us, so I was extra upset when a significant issue came up with it.

I’ve already learned so much and I really enjoy car stuff in general. I would like to learn to be more knowledgeable and confident when dealing with repairs and mechanical issues.

 

[BanjoBani]

I just wanted to give an update. It took almost two months. But I have my Jeep back. It has a whole new front axle and I now have an extended warranty through Mopar.

It seems okay, except for the steering wheel is crooked now. So I have an appointment at the dealership for an alignment.

I am glad to be done with Carmax. I don’t know if it is just that location, but they were rude and patronizing during the whole repair process. They frequently withheld information from me or plain out lied, and generally acted like it was their Jeep and none of my business. Getting Jeep Cares involved really helped; otherwise, I would have had no idea what was going on with it and it may still be sitting at the dealership.

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