ShadowsPapa
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Bill
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2019
- Threads
- 247
- Messages
- 40,509
- Reaction score
- 54,033
- Location
- Runnells, Iowa
- Vehicle(s)
- '25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
- Occupation
- Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
- Vehicle Showcase
- 3
Seriously? LOL, sorry, no way I consider that as "low". Draw a line across like I've done with a string - it's not going to be too low.If my diffs were that low, I would document it and immediately fill to the proper operating level.
The Owners Manual is very clear that the proper oil level is 1/8" below the bottom of the fill port. DO NOT go by someone on the interweb posting that it is OK because of information "found elsewhere".
There's nothing different or special about these that 1/4" of fluid is going to be killer. You could run these over 1/2" low and not have any ill effects.
Note they use "approximately" in their verbage.
You are saying that anyone who drives 25,000 miles and finds it 3/8" or even 1/2" below the hole is abusing a differential and at risk.
Bet I've worked on, even rebuilt, more over the years than any other Jeep forum person other than a tiny handful who are in the business.
Look at the first sentence - you may go along and have it 1/2" below the hole for thousands of miles because they say checking isn't necessary - you are saying you are at grave risk.
The lube is tossed where it needs to be by the ring gear - sorry, 1/2" or so isn't going to make shit of difference. You are talking ounces in a system that has slinger-lube in place. Gotta laugh at that, sorry.
Explain how 1/4" to 1/2" will matter at all in a system that's lubed by the oil slung about by the toothed ring gear. It can't matter, and it's been done the way I describe for many decades by many pros, including me.
I won't go lower on the fronts because of the FAD. You rely on the side gears or spiders to carry lube up and those don't sit as low. The front is more critical for the proper level of lube because the ring gear isn't turning unless it's in 4H or 4L (except in the case of SelecTrac when in auto mode, or in Grand Cherokees, etc.)
When the FAD is disconnected the left wheel turns the left axle which turns the carrier gears inside the carrier housing and those rely on lube being caught by those gears themselves.
And that could be why Jeep is stating what they are - to cover their @$$ on that front axle.
The rear I'd not be one bit afraid of being 1/2" or so low. The front - I'd not want it to get "too low" because of the lack of the ring gear lubing things.
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