Leaking axle seal?

[Riptide]

Update on my Gladiator Willys:
Took it in on the 9th of sept for a faulty gauge cluster that was backordered a whole month,
Next day was informed of leaky axle,
9/21 Axle assembly arrived at dealer,
9/22 I have my gladiator back.

hopefully the replacement holds,

also my dealer will only cover 5 days of rental and I have to seek reimbursement from Jeep Customer Care for the rest.

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[Mtpisgah]

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!

i looked at the paperwork, they replaced the axle shaft. I will still keep an eye on it.

 

[Mojave2021]

Another update on my Mojave. I tried to get my local transmission shop to look at the leak but he said he didn’t want to work on it because he has no experience with Gladiators. I’m sure he’s worked on a zillion Wranglers so I assume he had higher paying jobs to work on.

I did get a call from my dealership’s Sales and Service GMs today asking me to bring the JT in Friday and they would scrutinize the leak themselves. I had called my sales guy earlier in the week and he seems to have escalated the issue. I guess I’ll give them one more chance.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

New Update: The shop called to tell me my truck was fixed. Great! After 6 weeks of driving a rental with a roof I can finally get my ride back and feel the wind in my hair. Before turning in the rental I found my Gladiator out in the lot and crawled underneath because it’s impossible to trust anyone these days. The axle leak appeared to be fixed and cleaned up. But wait, what is that other mysterious fluid pooled up by the rear passenger tire? I touched it with my finger and it was oily and yellow-green. When I looked up I saw it leaking from the shock. I went in and they said my truck was fixed and ready to go. I said probably not, grab a mechanic. They determined that my shock was blown, somehow after sitting there for 6 weeks waiting for the axle seal to be fixed, and that they would need to replace both rear shocks. They initially told me that I could drive it and they would call me when the back ordered (of course!!!) shocks came in. As I was getting in my truck and handing over the rental keys the guy said he had some bad news. They needed to keep my truck there until it was fixed because the leaking shock fluid might get on the brand new axle seal and deteriorate that and then that would need fixed again. So I have owned my truck for 3 1/2 months, driven it for 2 months, and it’s been in the repair shop the rest of the time. No ETA on shocks. I’m considering rescuing the hostage that is my own truck and buying respectable parts, like Bilstein.

Newer update: I’m back on the road! It was about 6 weeks for the seal repair and several days for the shock fix. So far everything is good but I am definitely keeping a watchful eye on it. The length of time for the repair seems in line with most in this thread. My big complaint with this whole situation is that the vehicle is new with only a few thousand miles on it. I really hope Jeep/Dana get this figured out because I rely on my truck as a daily driver. The rental Ram had cooled seats and the HEMI, which was fantastic, but there’s just something special about the Gladiator.

 

[gpwrang33]

So update on my leak......noticed the leak at around 2500 miles, dealer looked at it around 5000 miles, axel came in around 14000 miles and replaced. After it was replaced I took it for about 100 mile test drive because service tech decided they didn't need to do that or thoroughly degrease it so it had lots of residual oil seeping out. I decided to climb under the truck tonight at exactly 16003 miles and its as dry as the driver side so I guess its safe to say replacing the axle shaft fixed my issue.

On another note, for the ones that would like to see the shaft to try and diagnose the cause would more than likely not yield any useful info. I looked at the shaft and it didn't really show any signs of marking or anything and also the tech removing it could possibly damage the old unit while taking it out. I think the only way someone could truly diagnose the root cause is by doing the entire replacement themselves step by step. Good luck to the rest of you and enjoy your JT to the fullest.

 

[Jeep_willysJT]

So update on my leak......noticed the leak at around 2500 miles, dealer looked at it around 5000 miles, axel came in around 14000 miles and replaced. After it was replaced I took it for about 100 mile test drive because service tech decided they didn't need to do that or thoroughly degrease it so it had lots of residual oil seeping out. I decided to climb under the truck tonight at exactly 16003 miles and its as dry as the driver side so I guess its safe to say replacing the axle shaft fixed my issue.

On another note, for the ones that would like to see the shaft to try and diagnose the cause would more than likely not yield any useful info. I looked at the shaft and it didn't really show any signs of marking or anything and also the tech removing it could possibly damage the old unit while taking it out. I think the only way someone could truly diagnose the root cause is by doing the entire replacement themselves step by step. Good luck to the rest of you and enjoy your JT to the fullest.

Personally from everything I've read so far I think it's an install flaw on the manufacturing line. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a very defined time frame. I would imagine a Service bulletin will be released to repair shops and when enough data is collected on the time frames of the defects, a recall depending on volume and if it stays consistent on flow of failures. Still love my Gladiator and can't wait to get it back. Just sucks being apart of the unlucky group that ran into this.

 

[Mtpisgah]

Has anyone determined the cost for a single repair. I am just wondering how much it would be after warranty. With as many as they have had and them all being on the right side, I would expect a TSB when they are sure they have the problem fixed.

 

[sdk131]

Has anyone determined the cost for a single repair. I am just wondering how much it would be after warranty. With as many as they have had and them all being on the right side, I would expect a TSB when they are sure they have the problem fixed.

Well the part goes for about $345....its a super simple job that could easily be done by anyone that can perform basic repairs.

https://www.mymoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-axle-rear-shaft-68474094aa

 

[sdk131]

Personally from everything I've read so far I think it's an install flaw on the manufacturing line. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a very defined time frame. I would imagine a Service bulletin will be released to repair shops and when enough data is collected on the time frames of the defects, a recall depending on volume and if it stays consistent on flow of failures. Still love my Gladiator and can't wait to get it back. Just sucks being apart of the unlucky group that ran into this.

I was thinking that too....but then there are a few of us that have alsoe had the replacement part fail as well. However, no way to be sure ours were not damaged by the tech during the repair or were defective parts. I would feel much better about it if we finally became aware of a definitive cause.

 

[2wheeltinker]

Has anyone determined the cost for a single repair. I am just wondering how much it would be after warranty. With as many as they have had and them all being on the right side, I would expect a TSB when they are sure they have the problem fixed.

A SET of chromoly shafts currently go for about 430. That includes new bearings and seals. Plus 2 hours of your time assuming you can use a jack and a socket set.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was thinking that too....but then there are a few of us that have alsoe had the replacement part fail as well. However, no way to be sure ours were not damaged by the tech during the repair or were defective parts. I would feel much better about it if we finally became aware of a definitive cause.

I'd be looking at other things besides "how it looks".
Also wonder - how would they damage on taking it out? Take the retainer nuts off, axle pulls out (may take a puller in some cases) - it pulls straight out.

Seriously, any "tech" who damages an axle or bearing - or almost anything - taking out an axle needs to be supervised very closely.

 

[Mojave2021]

A SET of chromoly shafts currently go for about 430. That includes new bearings and seals. Plus 2 hours of your time assuming you can use a jack and a socket set.

Per this thread folks have still had leaking issues after replacing with aftermarket axles.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/advantec-axle.33257/page-2

 

[Axeman]

Update on my '21.
Its finally at the dealer for repair. It was looked at back on 6/1 for the RR axle leak. They ordered it but never called me when it came in a month later. They sent the axle back so when I called they had to reorder it. They told me the service advisor that was supposed to call me had quit a few weeks prior.

Anyways, its at the dealer today and the axle is there. I am hoping to get it back this afternoon but they are so slammed with work that there was a line of 10+ Jeeps at the service department for drop offs. They gave me Grand Cherokee for a rental until its done though.

 

[hockeymonkeymark]

Has anyone determined the cost for a single repair. I am just wondering how much it would be after warranty. With as many as they have had and them all being on the right side, I would expect a TSB when they are sure they have the problem fixed.

Around 500$ for the repair and 600$ For the parts. Just got mine back. Part took a week to arrive. I was able to drive it until it came in. Took half a day to install. All warranty work for me. Happy camper here.

 

[ReverendZ]

8000 miles on mine and it started seeping on the right rear. Brought it in and they do have a tsb out on them. Looks like I am waiting on an axle now, all under warranty luckily. Glad I knew beforehand due to the forums here!

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