Leaking axle seal?

[Mojave2021]

As you guys may recall my dealer blamed my return visit post the axle replacement on parking brake shoes being soaked with oil. Well, guess what happened after my first highway drive in the Gladiator post the brake shoe replacement: I'm leaking just as badly as before the axle was replaced, if not worse. I seriously believe Jeep is just tossing the same flawed parts over and over at the same issue.

Like I mentioned earlier I'm going to stop by my local transmission shop to see if they have any suggestions as Jeep and my dealer are clueless.

I've been thru 1 lemon law case nightmare in the past so next stop if the transmission shop doesn't work out, unfortunately I guess I have no choice but to sell the JT. I really love the JT - and there's nothing else wrong with it, but I can't permanently live with my daily driver like this. Luckily the used car market is so strong right now I'm assuming I won't lose much on it if I have to take that route.

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[sdk131]

As you guys may recall my dealer blamed my return visit post the axle replacement on parking brake shoes being soaked with oil. Well, guess what happened after my first highway drive in the Gladiator post the brake shoe replacement: I'm leaking just as badly as before the axle was replaced, if not worse. I seriously believe Jeep is just tossing the same flawed parts over and over at the same issue.

Like I mentioned earlier I'm going to stop by my local transmission shop to see if they have any suggestions as Jeep and my dealer are clueless.

I've been thru 1 lemon law case nightmare in the past so next stop if the transmission shop doesn't work out, unfortunately I guess I have no choice but to sell the JT. I really love the JT - and there's nothing else wrong with it, but I can't permanently live with my daily driver like this. Luckily the used car market is so strong right now I'm assuming I won't lose much on it if I have to take that route.

Ugghhhh....yep, I am conviced they are just tossing parts at it. I am leaning towards something is out of spec on the axle housings (right side only) as my primary guess. Secondary guess is an insane amount of out of spec axle shafts....but that would not explain why it seems to be the right side all the time...since I am 99% sure it is the same axle shaft assembly for left and right.

 

[Mojave2021]

Are there aftermarket axles or seals (that fit in my case a Mojave) that we can use to resolve this issue? Again I really like this truck.

 

[JeepCares]

Just reporting back to add to the thread. If you search my previous posts you will see mine leaked and was repaired back in April....only to leak again. I stopped by the dealership today, they confirmed the leak and started the order for the replacement shaft assembly......that are showing as backorder until November. JeepCares has been messaged for (hopefully) some expedited support on the new axle shaft. Here's hoping the scond time is the charm.

Hi. I see your private message now and will follow up with you there shortly. Thanks.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[sdk131]

Are there aftermarket axles or seals (that fit in my case a Mojave) that we can use to resolve this issue? Again I really like this truck.

One of the challenges at the moment is that I don't think anyone on here has definitively determined (or been informed by FCA) what the actual root cause is. We have a very basic (as far as things that could go wrong on a modern vehicle with tons of electronics) issue of fluids leaking past a seal that was supposed to contain them.......but we don't definitievely know why. For me, I will continue to keep an eye on it and work with the dealership for now (to have it repaired for the second time) since i have a ton of warranty coverage left. While it is certainly very frustrating, it is not the kind of issue that will cause the vehicle not to run, or that will leave you stranded.

 

[jeepers29]

I would think at some point, the possibility of brake pads being covered in gear oil would be a reason for a recall.

 

[Mojave2021]

I was looking at these axles...let me know your thoughts. Maybe I can get my dealership to pay for them and install them for me. Has anyone confirmed going with aftermarket axles resolves the issue?

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...antek-rear-left-and-right-e-locker-axle-shaft

 

[steveorama]

I wonder if they wanted to SEE it to inspect the brakes, etc. - and the severity of the leak before advising you it was "ok to drive" only to later find you in an accident because of lube contaminating the brakes.

How bad something is or isn't can vary wildly between people based on their experiences with such things - or lack of. My wife might think a leak is horrible simply because - well, it's a leak, and it shouldn't, while I may view it as needing repairs (any leak is not right) but not a risk to person or property.

That's my take, anyway. Inconvenient for you the customer, but in everyone's best interest might be a way to put it.

I don't have an issue with them looking at it, at all. I was annoyed that I had to make an appointment over 3 weeks out due to their backlog only to arrive and be told it would be 48-72 hours before they would get back to me because of how busy they are.

So what was the point of the appointment window? Especially for something they probably spent 20-30 minutes max looking at and then went over everything with me over the phone anyway. I get their busy, but I just can't understand why I had to wait over 3 weeks for them to take 3 days to look at it something they had me schedule.

Got a call back from the dealership. Axle is on back order. 160 orders and 68 in stock. Told me end of week or early next week for parts to be in for install.

I was told a month yesterday.

 

[Jeep_willysJT]

I don't have an issue with them looking at it, at all. I was annoyed that I had to make an appointment over 3 weeks out due to their backlog only to arrive and be told it would be 48-72 hours before they would get back to me because of how busy they are.

So what was the point of the appointment window? Especially for something they probably spent 20-30 minutes max looking at and then went over everything with me over the phone anyway. I get their busy, but I just can't understand why I had to wait over 3 weeks for them to take 3 days to look at it something they had me schedule.


I was told a month yesterday.

I'm very surprised this hasn't hit a Service Bulletin level yet

 

[Jeep_willysJT]

I would also recommend everyone with an axle defect file a power train complaint on their axle at the below site. That will get some attention.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

 

[dcmdon]

One of the challenges at the moment is that I don't think anyone on here has definitively determined (or been informed by FCA) what the actual root cause is. We have a very basic (as far as things that could go wrong on a modern vehicle with tons of electronics) issue of fluids leaking past a seal that was supposed to contain them.......but we don't definitievely know why. For me, I will continue to keep an eye on it and work with the dealership for now (to have it repaired for the second time) since i have a ton of warranty coverage left. While it is certainly very frustrating, it is not the kind of issue that will cause the vehicle not to run, or that will leave you stranded.

This is the problem with modern flat rate based parts changers. Nobody is a mechanic anymore. Nobody owns the problem.

If I brought this to my local independent shop, he'd change the seals. If it leaked again, he'd start THINKING(!!!!) Hmm. Why did this seal fail again.

Independent shop mechanics need a brain.

At the dealership, it will go to another tech who will get paid another 1.5 flat rate to replace the axel.

If the original tech is charged back and forced to re-do the same repair over again, he might take a look to make sure everything is in spec, since he doesn't want to do it a 3rd time for free.

Either way, the current system sucks.

THIS is why Chrysler is going to have a hell of a time selling $100k Wagoneers.

 

[KW80]

I would also recommend everyone with an axle defect file a power train complaint on their axle at the below site. That will get some attention.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

Done, I agree that there should be a more formal approach to this as well. Whether they haven’t isolated the root cause(s) yet or they just aren’t saying, we all deserve a little more transparency, consistency, and assurance that the repair they are prescribing will fix the problem.

 

[Maximus JT]

For anyone's interest, I just received word from Jeep Wave that they have a shipment from the supplier on it's way to Mopar (I could only imagine it's going to Ohio) that is expected to arrive on 9/27. Hopefully this is true, as mine has now been at the dealer for 49 days and counting. Maybe relief is coming to a bunch of y'all, as I know we are all hoping this nightmare ends soon.

 

[Mtpisgah]

My Jeep is getting the right seal replaced today. They gave me a Ram with a Hemi to drive for the day. I like it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My Jeep is getting the right seal replaced today. They gave me a Ram with a Hemi to drive for the day. I like it.

Keep a CLOSE eye on it - one or two others have said only the seal was replaced - only to see leaks later.......
On the other hand, there will be people banging their head on the wall if replacing only the seal resolves it!

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