Is my transmission or transfer case dying?

[mattkrea]

Starters: vehicle is a '21 Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L 8 speed automatic with 43,000 miles on it. Entirely stock powertrain but I do have the Mopar lift and 35s.

So I know this is going to be hard to tell from video but I'm hoping someone will have a confident guess. TL;DR my Gladiator is making some gnarly noises (mostly) while in gear. If I shift to neutral it seems to mostly quiet down. It doesn't seem to immediately start but once I reach ~8 mph this starts happening and the noise is a bit different when I let off the gas and coast but probably louder if anything.

There are no modifications to my driveline whatsoever (all stock Rubicon components) but I do have an aux fuel tank and somewhat modified exhaust that was recently "fixed" after a shop in PA mangled it (long story but I ended up with a burned up bed and melted Pelican cargo container).

Over the last ~15k miles I've been towing a 4300 GVWR Airstream across the country and back and I'm starting to suspect that even though I should be well under my limits it's putting serious wear on something in the transfer case or elsewhere in the powertrain.

I should add I'm not noticing any slipping or sluggishness when shifting and there are no lights on the dash either which is surprising if its a major issue like this..

Unfortunately I'm still about 1,000 miles from home so hopefully it'll make it there in one piece. Of course I'll be getting it into a shop as soon as I get back home. Thanks in advance.

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[NachoRuby]

Which transmission? Videos aren't working.

 

[mattkrea]

Ah, updated the thread. It's the 3.6L with the 8 speed auto.

 

[mattkrea]

Turns out it was my rear diff.. it was effectively blown by the time I made it home. Looks like I'll be getting it replaced under warranty once the parts come in.

 

[u-joint]

Turns out it was my rear diff.. it was effectively blown by the time I made it home. Looks like I'll be getting it replaced under warranty once the parts come in.

Wow. We’ll, glad warranty is covering it. Did the dealer give you any hassle? Also, I’m curious what ETA they told you for parts? Seems like everything is back ordered these days.

 

[CMac]

I’m not sure if I’ve heard of or read accounts here of the rear diff going out…

Was this failure ultimately caused by a leaky rear axle seal and loss of gear lube?

 

[mattkrea]

Should hear back today re: backorder but no they honestly gave me no hassle whatsoever. 43k miles on her and didn't even question how I've been using it. I had read a few threads about the Dana AdvanTEK axles they're using on these and I suspect I'm not the first with this problem.

 

[mattkrea]

I’m not sure if I’ve heard of or read accounts here of the rear diff going out…

Was this failure ultimately caused by a leaky rear axle seal and loss of gear lube?

That's my suspicion although that was just checked before I left Arizona to make it to Florida so sometime on the way there it could've started leaking although I haven't seen any fluid under the vehicle at any point (and I've been paying attention).

 

[CMac]

……I had read a few threads about the Dana AdvanTEK axles they're using on these and I suspect I'm not the first with this problem.

I don’t doubt it. Seems many times these days I can barely remember to wake-up in the morning.

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