Leaking axle seal?

[ZSum73]

I hadn't looked in a while so I just did that.

I'm happy to say it does not seem to be seeping or leaking any more. 7,500 miles now since the repair.

I did have residual seeping for awhile. Every time I crawled under to look I blasted it with parts cleaner then wiped it down with a rag. The seeping finally stopped. I suggest you do the same thing and just keep an eye on it.

Thanks for replying..Great that's my plan then, as it seems to be not much so maybe it was just spill from the repair...they cleaned it up pretty well but maybe when they slid the new axle in it pushed some of the old fluid out of the housing into the area behind the rotor...like I said it hasn't dripped into the rim as it was prior to repair. Thanks again..I'll keep an eye on it for now rather than call the dealership again for now. I'll get some parts cleaner too and try that.

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[GotGladiator]

1 month appointment as in your appointment was a month out from when you scheduled? I'm going in tomorrow. If the part only took a week I'd be beyond happy.

Yes. Good luck.

 

[syreeves]

OK - first I apologize. I did not read 60 pages of this thread. Below are two pictures of my rear wheels looking from the inside. I was installing Airlift 1000 airbags in the dark at 2am (long story and not relevant). While I was under the vehicle I noticed my "wheel assemblies" looked different. One was dry and clean. The other was clearly greasy. My previous vehicle (2003 Land Rover Disco II) leaked all kinds of fluids and the "greasy" wheel looked just like the underside of my Land Rover.

Anyway - had read some of this thread before and heard about the leaking axle seal issues. I assumed I was one of the unlucky ones and took my JTR in for what I assumed would be a warranty repair. Just got the call - they think my "axle shaft is bent - the part from the differential to the wheel" - my service advisor's exact words. I explained that although I am not a mall crawler, I don't beat on my JTR hard - at least not yet. I have 18,9xx miles and have had it for 11 months (since Jan 9). I put in the airlift to help haul a boy scout troop trailer - Single axle standing height 8x16ish utility trailer. Normally gets pulled by a 2008 chevy avalanche 1500 but I stepped in when he stepped down. Probably weighs 3500lbs at most fully loaded. I also once carried a bed load of dirt (didn't rise past the bed walls) that had my JTR squatted pretty low - but I drive 100 yards at 2 miles an hour... at most.

My question is - could I bend an axle shaft or otherwise create this like under those conditions? I am pretty sure my towing and weight capacities are sufficient to deal with that kind of work. I have the 6MT but the axles are the same as the automatic rubicons...

Any thoughts? Dealer is going to try to warranty it but they are making it seem like they are doing me a favor. IMHO there is enough out there on leaky axles that this is a known issue and in the absence of some definitive evidence that I clearly abused my JTR (which I definitely did not) I think this is straight up a warranty issue.

Thoughts? Am I missing something?

 

[cb4017]

OK - first I apologize. I did not read 60 pages of this thread. Below are two pictures of my rear wheels looking from the inside. I was installing Airlift 1000 airbags in the dark at 2am (long story and not relevant). While I was under the vehicle I noticed my "wheel assemblies" looked different. One was dry and clean. The other was clearly greasy. My previous vehicle (2003 Land Rover Disco II) leaked all kinds of fluids and the "greasy" wheel looked just like the underside of my Land Rover.

Anyway - had read some of this thread before and heard about the leaking axle seal issues. I assumed I was one of the unlucky ones and took my JTR in for what I assumed would be a warranty repair. Just got the call - they think my "axle shaft is bent - the part from the differential to the wheel" - my service advisor's exact words. I explained that although I am not a mall crawler, I don't beat on my JTR hard - at least not yet. I have 18,9xx miles and have had it for 11 months (since Jan 9). I put in the airlift to help haul a boy scout troop trailer - Single axle standing height 8x16ish utility trailer. Normally gets pulled by a 2008 chevy avalanche 1500 but I stepped in when he stepped down. Probably weighs 3500lbs at most fully loaded. I also once carried a bed load of dirt (didn't rise past the bed walls) that had my JTR squatted pretty low - but I drive 100 yards at 2 miles an hour... at most.

My question is - could I bend an axle shaft or otherwise create this like under those conditions? I am pretty sure my towing and weight capacities are sufficient to deal with that kind of work. I have the 6MT but the axles are the same as the automatic rubicons...

Any thoughts? Dealer is going to try to warranty it but they are making it seem like they are doing me a favor. IMHO there is enough out there on leaky axles that this is a known issue and in the absence of some definitive evidence that I clearly abused my JTR (which I definitely did not) I think this is straight up a warranty issue.

Thoughts? Am I missing something?

Yep, you have a leaking seal.
I seriously doubt you bent the axle with the use you describe. Do you have your truck? Jack up that wheel and spin it. You should be able to tell pretty quick if something is bent.

 

[sdk131]

Yep, you have a leaking seal.
I seriously doubt you bent the axle with the use you describe. Do you have your truck? Jack up that wheel and spin it. You should be able to tell pretty quick if something is bent.

Have to agree....sure sounds like a dealer trying to possibly wiggle out of a warranty repair....or at a minimum to make it seem like they are doing you a favor if they do end up covering under warranty.

 

[Free2roam]

My appt is for the 19th I'm going to request to look at the axle after they pull it out. Try to get some pics for documentation. Possibly get them to take some pics of the inside too.

 

[glassjawkid32]

Picked up my gladiator. 3-4 weeks for the part. My advisor said tech was out but he will email me a copy of the service bulletin when they are back in. I will share here if I get it.

 

[Rptr00]

new to the forum.

I too have the right rear axle leak. Build date 3-21. Discovered at 10000 miles while doing my AEV spacer lift. Dealer verified the problem and it will be covered under warranty. New axle shaft ordered on 28 September. vehicle was returned to me for daily driving with no mention of safety concerns or limitations.

My work order states "bent axle".

Its been 6 weeks since they ordered parts. I called today and was told it was shipped but tracking info hasnt been updated since 2 november, last update was it was in Kentucky somewhere.

Has anyone noriced any popping sounds coming from the axle? Mine occurs during slow speed braking and acceleration. Ive checked and retorqued everything loosened during the spacer lift install.

 

[glassjawkid32]

new to the forum.

I too have the right rear axle leak. Build date 3-21. Discovered at 10000 miles while doing my AEV spacer lift. Dealer verified the problem and it will be covered under warranty. New axle shaft ordered on 28 September. vehicle was returned to me for daily driving with no mention of safety concerns or limitations.

My work order states "bent axle".

Its been 6 weeks since they ordered parts. I called today and was told it was shipped but tracking info hasnt been updated since 2 november, last update was it was in Kentucky somewhere.

Has anyone noriced any popping sounds coming from the axle? Mine occurs during slow speed braking and acceleration. Ive checked and retorqued everything loosened during the spacer lift install.

I've got a popping sound but can't confirm where it is from yet.

 

[Renegade]

I've got a popping sound but can't confirm where it is from yet.

Usually a lower control arm that isn't torqued properly. They take a whopping 185-190 ft/lbs!

 

[glassjawkid32]

Usually a lower control arm that it’s torqued properly. They take a whopping 185-190 ft/lbs!

Havn't found a wrench to spec I can borrow yet. Had the dealer look at it but it's random so they couldn't recreate it. I'm just going to have them retorque everything when it's suspension time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

OK - first I apologize. I did not read 60 pages of this thread. Below are two pictures of my rear wheels looking from the inside. I was installing Airlift 1000 airbags in the dark at 2am (long story and not relevant). While I was under the vehicle I noticed my "wheel assemblies" looked different. One was dry and clean. The other was clearly greasy. My previous vehicle (2003 Land Rover Disco II) leaked all kinds of fluids and the "greasy" wheel looked just like the underside of my Land Rover.

Anyway - had read some of this thread before and heard about the leaking axle seal issues. I assumed I was one of the unlucky ones and took my JTR in for what I assumed would be a warranty repair. Just got the call - they think my "axle shaft is bent - the part from the differential to the wheel" - my service advisor's exact words. I explained that although I am not a mall crawler, I don't beat on my JTR hard - at least not yet. I have 18,9xx miles and have had it for 11 months (since Jan 9). I put in the airlift to help haul a boy scout troop trailer - Single axle standing height 8x16ish utility trailer. Normally gets pulled by a 2008 chevy avalanche 1500 but I stepped in when he stepped down. Probably weighs 3500lbs at most fully loaded. I also once carried a bed load of dirt (didn't rise past the bed walls) that had my JTR squatted pretty low - but I drive 100 yards at 2 miles an hour... at most.

My question is - could I bend an axle shaft or otherwise create this like under those conditions? I am pretty sure my towing and weight capacities are sufficient to deal with that kind of work. I have the 6MT but the axles are the same as the automatic rubicons...

Any thoughts? Dealer is going to try to warranty it but they are making it seem like they are doing me a favor. IMHO there is enough out there on leaky axles that this is a known issue and in the absence of some definitive evidence that I clearly abused my JTR (which I definitely did not) I think this is straight up a warranty issue.

Thoughts? Am I missing something?

Takes a heck of a lot to bend THESE axles. Heck, I dropped the right rear axle of my car HARD into a hole the city had in the street - uncovered, unmarked, DEEP with a sharp edge. Didn't phase it so not sure how you'd bend a JT axle without seriously hammering it.

 

[syreeves]

Takes a heck of a lot to bend THESE axles. Heck, I dropped the right rear axle of my car HARD into a hole the city had in the street - uncovered, unmarked, DEEP with a sharp edge. Didn't phase it so not sure how you'd bend a JT axle without seriously hammering it.

Yeah - in the end the dealership replaced the axle shaft - not the entire axle housing as far as I can tell. been raining here and I haven't had a chance to get undrneath. They did an ok job cleaning up the fluid on the splash guard. Don't think they changed anything in the brakes. Took them 3 days to get the part but at least I had a clean loaner (late model Jeep Compass - lets just say I'm thankful I can afford a JT...). I will return to the dealership for warranty service but the moment I am out of warranty I will be returning to Expedition Autoworks in Golden Valley MN. Look them up. They are THE BEST. And no - not a paid endorsement. I bring my wife's car and my Mother's car to Expedition and trust them completely.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah - in the end the dealership replaced the axle shaft - not the entire axle housing as far as I can tell. been raining here and I haven't had a chance to get undrneath. They did an ok job cleaning up the fluid on the splash guard. Don't think they changed anything in the brakes. Took them 3 days to get the part but at least I had a clean loaner (late model Jeep Compass - lets just say I'm thankful I can afford a JT...). I will return to the dealership for warranty service but the moment I am out of warranty I will be returning to Expedition Autoworks in Golden Valley MN. Look them up. They are THE BEST. And no - not a paid endorsement. I bring my wife's car and my Mother's car to Expedition and trust them completely.

3 days ain't bad in today's environment. Great to have a dealer you can trust - even if that trust would be "trust but verify" (everyone makes mistakes and dealers are only as good as their management and hired help - no matter how hard they try, someone will work on something and a good will slip through the cracks)

Several here have reported they got the axle changed out - but the mess was still evident on the guard and other places. Irritating as heck. One of my bosses used to say the job isn't done until everything is cleaned up and tools put away, ready for the next job. That included cleaning the mess any leaks made on or in the customer's vehicle and sweeping your work area.

 

[Renegade]

Takes a heck of a lot to bend THESE axles. Heck, I dropped the right rear axle of my car HARD into a hole the city had in the street - uncovered, unmarked, DEEP with a sharp edge. Didn't phase it so not sure how you'd bend a JT axle without seriously hammering it.

I bent the outer flange of my passenger rear axle shaft. I was doing a hill climb I had no business doing...

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