Leaking axle seal?

[Steppenwolf]

Man I wish it was. Took a better picture. Diff fluid for sure. You can see it on the wheel too. The leak occurs between the rotor and dust shield. No worries...warranty will take care of it. This post made me take a look. Otherwise might have been some time to notice.

Yep, leaking like a frickin dike, just like mine ... So, does Jeep care? ?

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[AXG1040]

Yep, leaking like a frickin dike, just like mine ... So, does Jeep care? ?

@JeepCares
Hope this is getting elevated and you got folks working on it. My Mojave in these photos has less than 500 miles but many others on this post having the same problem. Seems like a bad batch of seals or poor installation. Head to the dealer Friday.

 

[Renegade]

Man I wish it was. Took a better picture. Diff fluid for sure. You can see it on the wheel too. The leak occurs between the rotor and dust shield. No worries...warranty will take care of it. This post made me take a look. Otherwise might have been some time to notice.

Ok, I can see the oil on the wheel there. Isn’t it odd that the passenger side seems to leak more? I can’t imagine what is different between the two sides.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ok, I can see the oil on the wheel there. Isn’t it odd that the passenger side seems to leak more? I can’t imagine what is different between the two sides.

Are the axles identical left to right? In other words, is the left axle the same part number as the right axle? If not, then it could be a machining issue, or an assembly issue on a specific line or a specific person or process.
If the left axle is made on x machine and the right is made on y machine, (assuming the axles are not the same left to right) that could explain it.
Also the person or persons involved somewhere along the line. There's a lot of automation, yes, but there are still people involved in setup or other duties.

 

[AXG1040]

Are the axles identical left to right? In other words, is the left axle the same part number as the right axle? If not, then it could be a machining issue, or an assembly issue on a specific line or a specific person or process.
If the left axle is made on x machine and the right is made on y machine, (assuming the axles are not the same left to right) that could explain it.
Also the person or persons involved somewhere along the line. There's a lot of automation, yes, but there are still people involved in setup or other duties.

Looks like same part left and right. Interesting Quadratec has them listed as preorder. It is odd only the passenger side is leaking in all these cases.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/axle-shaft-assembly-gladiator-jt-wide-dana-44-rear-68474094AA

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Looks like same part left and right. Interesting Quadratec has them listed as preorder. It is odd only the passenger side is leaking in all these cases.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/axle-shaft-assembly-gladiator-jt-wide-dana-44-rear-68474094AA

Absolutely agree with you - it's odd for sure. Just trying to find some logical or rational explanation. Looks like that fell flat.

 

[Renegade]

Rubicon/Mojave shafts are unequal.

 

[AXG1040]

Rubicon/Mojave shafts are unequal.

That’s what I thought. Odd that Quadratec and Mopar say that part is for left or right. Maybe that means rotation and not side of vehicle? I am by no means a mechanic. Will be in interesting to see as these shafts get replaced if that cures it.

 

[Renegade]

That’s what I thought. Odd that Quadratec and Mopar say that part is for left or right. Maybe that means rotation and not side of vehicle? I am by no means a mechanic. Will be in interesting to see as these shafts get replaced if that cures it.

Something is definitely off at the Dana/Spicer axle assembly plant. The bearings and seals are the same from one side to the other. I would think the same machines are used for manufacturing both sides.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Something is definitely off at the Dana/Spicer axle assembly plant. The bearings and seals are the same from one side to the other. I would think the same machines are used for manufacturing both sides.

I'd be willing to be not if the axles are actually different left to right. More likely they'd be running machines each programmed to run their respective left or right axle. Cheaper and easier to dedicate. Yes, it's all coded and programmed and push of a button, but there are other logistics. These plants are laid out very specifically for traffic flow, parts flow, inventory tracking.............

 

[PyrPatriot]

ETA: After looking at pics and a diagram I get it. The seal is on the axle between the hub and bearing with a pressed on retainer holding it all together. Not like the old days when the seal was pressed into the housing and the axle was just slid in.
By the time someone tried to dismantle the axle assembly then put it back together it would probably be cheaper (and easier) to just replace the whole assembly. They can be had retail for less than $300.

$300 for an axle shaft or the housing?

Dana 44s have worked this way since the '70s. If they are getting the replacement "loaded" axle shafts to slip into the existing housing, yes, I totally get that as being most economical. That's incredibly easy. I understood the previous posts to indicate the entire axle housing was being replaced.

I thought the housing was being replaced in the OP

Something is definitely off at the Dana/Spicer axle assembly plant. The bearings and seals are the same from one side to the other. I would think the same machines are used for manufacturing both sides.

Could be due to the whole shutdowns, workers laid off, then don't come back, "social distancing" requirements causing complications, or workers getting burned out from having to work OT to catch up during the shutdowns now that things are opening back up.


I admire folks who catch these kinds of leaks and such. I don't have a garage, JT is parked outside on gravel/grass, I'd never catch leaks and such. I do sometimes note what the pavement looks like when I park my JT somewhere and compare to see if there are any leaks/puddles, and check those that even suspect to be just condensation. I'll have to start looking at all the other parts for, what is it? just a sheen/damp looking spot as evidence of a leak?



As for having the instructions for the repair in early posts, I'll have to take a look at the Factory Service Manual. The manual has instructions on disassembling the transmission, more or less, I recall seeing the axles having a fair bit dedicated to them with some videos. Will try to remember to check when I get home

 

[ShadowsPapa]

$300 for an axle shaft or the housing?




I thought the housing was being replaced in the OP



Could be due to the whole shutdowns, workers laid off, then don't come back, "social distancing" requirements causing complications, or workers getting burned out from having to work OT to catch up during the shutdowns now that things are opening back up.


I admire folks who catch these kinds of leaks and such. I don't have a garage, JT is parked outside on gravel/grass, I'd never catch leaks and such. I do sometimes note what the pavement looks like when I park my JT somewhere and compare to see if there are any leaks/puddles, and check those that even suspect to be just condensation. I'll have to start looking at all the other parts for, what is it? just a sheen/damp looking spot as evidence of a leak?



As for having the instructions for the repair in early posts, I'll have to take a look at the Factory Service Manual. The manual has instructions on disassembling the transmission, more or less, I recall seeing the axles having a fair bit dedicated to them with some videos. Will try to remember to check when I get home

Polk County, IA has a law - vehicles must be parked or stored on a concrete or similar surface. You cannot park or store a motor vehicle on gravel or dirt.
When I built my shop I'd spent every last penny I could spare at over 40 grand. I went to Polk County for permits and they asked what sort of floor I was going to have. I told them dirt for now, concrete in a year as I could afford it. They asked what I was going to keep in the building - I told them my lawn tractor, my antique tractor (1936 F20) and they asked "do they have motors or fuel tanks" - uh, yes. Nope, no permit unless you put in a concrete floor.

Now back to the originally scheduled program already in progress - since these are most likely to leak when MOVING, with heat, lube thinning, etc. there may not be much to see on the ground when it's parked.
I ran into that with the right rear axle seal on the WJ I had. It was a terrible mess back there when I pulled the wheel and the rotor to inspect the brakes and the ABS tone ring, etc. yet there was never anything on the floor where I parked it - not so much as a drop. Yet it took over a can of Brake cleaner to clean it up on the housing and brake parts.

So my suggestion is this, take it or not, it's worth every penny you paid for it -
If you have not already, and you have a 2021 JT - go look at the shield, tire, rim/wheel, etc. and check for signs of a leak.
Not seeing anything on the garage floor or driveway does not mean you don't have a leak, it only means it's not a horrendous leak.
I've replaced a number of axle seals on older vehicles where there was never a trace on the floor, but man the rotor and axle were sure slimy from the lube - and really nasty as it mixed with brake dust and road dirt.

 

[IRQ]

I admire folks who catch these kinds of leaks and such. I don't have a garage, JT is parked outside on gravel/grass, I'd never catch leaks and such. I do sometimes note what the pavement looks like when I park my JT somewhere and compare to see if there are any leaks/puddles, and check those that even suspect to be just condensation. I'll have to start looking at all the other parts for, what is it? just a sheen/damp looking spot as evidence of a leak?

I wouldn’t even have thought to look with a brand new truck, I just happen to get a flat tire going through Ohio and noticed the inside of the wheel was covered with gear oil.

Now my YJ is another story altogether, however it’s 26 years old and no axle seal leaks yet.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Polk County, IA has a law - vehicles must be parked or stored on a concrete or similar surface. You cannot park or store a motor vehicle on gravel or dirt.
When I built my shop I'd spent every last penny I could spare at over 40 grand. I went to Polk County for permits and they asked what sort of floor I was going to have. I told them dirt for now, concrete in a year as I could afford it. They asked what I was going to keep in the building - I told them my lawn tractor, my antique tractor (1936 F20) and they asked "do they have motors or fuel tanks" - uh, yes. Nope, no permit unless you put in a concrete floor.

Now back to the originally scheduled program already in progress - since these are most likely to leak when MOVING, with heat, lube thinning, etc. there may not be much to see on the ground when it's parked.
I ran into that with the right rear axle seal on the WJ I had. It was a terrible mess back there when I pulled the wheel and the rotor to inspect the brakes and the ABS tone ring, etc. yet there was never anything on the floor where I parked it - not so much as a drop. Yet it took over a can of Brake cleaner to clean it up on the housing and brake parts.

So my suggestion is this, take it or not, it's worth every penny you paid for it -
If you have not already, and you have a 2021 JT - go look at the shield, tire, rim/wheel, etc. and check for signs of a leak.
Not seeing anything on the garage floor or driveway does not mean you don't have a leak, it only means it's not a horrendous leak.
I've replaced a number of axle seals on older vehicles where there was never a trace on the floor, but man the rotor and axle were sure slimy from the lube - and really nasty as it mixed with brake dust and road dirt.

Your advice is priceless. Bolded parts are what I'm replying/commenting on.

Nice law. I could see at least the larger cities in KY benefiting from it, but the compliance would be very low. At least for commercial properties they might be able to get folks to comply. I'd love a concrete spot to put my Jeep on, but my landlords are stingy.

I don't know what an ABS tone ring was. I have been trying to learn more about car mechanics via online videos, don't recall that part being mentioned. There are obviously a bazillion unique parts to unique systems across different makes/models that might do the same thing but called or work different, just takes reaching a venerable status to learn them all I suppose. If you ever can recall or come across a book or series of books that are comprehensive on this sort of stuff, please do let the audience know.

What part of the the wheel is the shield? Is it the hub cap? I'm due to look at everything sooner than later, maybe this weekend I'll put the JT on jacks and finally get properly under the JT. Or take it to a DIY garage shop where you can rent time/tools. https://www.momentumky.com/faq
How long do you think it'll take to do an inspection of the wheels and other parts for leaks/damage? I'm thinking just taking a day under the rig to look at, photograph, and wipe down everything. I can think of worse ways to spend $100 for 8h of rental space, tools, and advice.

 

[JeepCares]

@JeepCares
Hope this is getting elevated and you got folks working on it. My Mojave in these photos has less than 500 miles but many others on this post having the same problem. Seems like a bad batch of seals or poor installation. Head to the dealer Friday.

Thanks for tagging us here. We are certainly assisting customers on a case by case basis and would be happy to discuss your specific concerns further. Just send us a private message with more details.

Kate
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