Leaking axle seal?

[ShadowsPapa]

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

It can happen - and you admit it. But look what it took to do so.
And it takes minutes to prove a bent flange or axle. Even if it's not obvious, all of these shops should have a dial indicator. Heck, even a pencil clamped to a block of wood if they are that lacking in proper tools.

As you said, though - it took quite a bit to bend things. Won't happen driving on the street. These are made to take a pretty good beating.

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[jeep-addiction1973]

I'm still waiting for the part to come in! They said a shipping label was printed on Oct 13th and they were billed for it on 10-14 but it never shipped and nobody can tell them where it is or where it went. I love my gladiator but this is getting old quickly. It had been parked since 9/28 but my dealership just told me to start driving it again since they are having such a hard time getting the part. So I have driven it the last 2 days. Its still leaking and making noise. I asked the service dept to pull the diff cover off to be sure they don't need to order more parts but they refused. ]

 

[Undecided]

Replaced yesterday.
They even gave me new brake pads, Parking break, and rotor as the oil had gotten everywhere.

Looks about as clean as I would ask for.

 

[Blakedpotato]

Update:
Replacement axle assembly didn’t take, RR axle still leaking so took it to another dealer. They were able to diagnose the vehicle within 45 minutes and I got to drive her home. Apparently my diff fluid is full of metal shavings so they are going to replace the entire rear axle. Hoping this finally fixes it. Just a heads up to anyone still dealing with this problem after getting it fixed the first time. Take it to another dealer. Maybe that’s the mystery variable we’ve been looking for!?

 

[Rptr00]

I’ve been waiting 7 weeks. Time to get Jeep Cares involved. Others seem to have had success. I’m getting nowhere with my dealer

 

[BackcountryNV]

I’ve been waiting 7 weeks. Time to get Jeep Cares involved. Others seem to have had success. I’m getting nowhere with my dealer

I'm going on 12 weeks, starting to get really frustrated. Dealer is so unhelpful, messaged jeep cares who opened a case last week but nothing back yet.

As far as remedies should I just have them refill the diff fluid? Is it fine to be wheeling as long as the fluid gets topped off? It's prime weather out here and I'm itching to go out but don't want to make the situation worse and not even be able to drive the truck.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm going on 12 weeks, starting to get really frustrated. Dealer is so unhelpful, messaged jeep cares who opened a case last week but nothing back yet.

As far as remedies should I just have them refill the diff fluid? Is it fine to be wheeling as long as the fluid gets topped off? It's prime weather out here and I'm itching to go out but don't want to make the situation worse and not even be able to drive the truck.

If it's not leaving any large spots anywhere, it's not leaking enough fluid for it to be down. It takes only a tiny bit of fluid to make a large spot on the garage floor. (I've posted numerous times about how much it would have to be down, and how BIG a spot or spots (more like huge) to be down very much. Imagine spreading 1/4 cup of oil over your garage floor - how big a mess that would leave and yet 1/4 cup isn't really even low o these.

 

[jeep-addiction1973]

Update:
Replacement axle assembly didn’t take, RR axle still leaking so took it to another dealer. They were able to diagnose the vehicle within 45 minutes and I got to drive her home. Apparently my diff fluid is full of metal shavings so they are going to replace the entire rear axle. Hoping this finally fixes it. Just a heads up to anyone still dealing with this problem after getting it fixed the first time. Take it to another dealer. Maybe that’s the mystery variable we’ve been looking for!?

I'm in the same boat waiting for a complete new rear end assembly. National back order??? Kind of makes me wonder if they are updating the part.....

 

[ShadowsPapa]

National back order??? Kind of makes me wonder if they are updating the part.....

Backorder doesn't necessarily mean anything ....... I have been shopping for a snow plow - and have been told that the bracket kits are on back order - at least 45 days.
I could list a lot of parts and pieces on back order. It may mean some change but is most likely simply due to shortages in general or supply chain problems.

 

[jeep-addiction1973]

Backorder doesn't necessarily mean anything ....... I have been shopping for a snow plow - and have been told that the bracket kits are on back order - at least 45 days.
I could list a lot of parts and pieces on back order. It may mean some change but is most likely simply due to shortages in general or supply chain problems.

I'm just curious if maybe the issue is the axle housing itself or a bad run of seals since a few have had the repair done only to have it start leaking again. Hopefully Jeep can get this figured out quickly as I sell these things and will probably have to start dealing with complaints soon.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm just curious if maybe the issue is the axle housing itself or a bad run of seals since a few have had the repair done only to have it start leaking again. Hopefully Jeep can get this figured out quickly as I sell these things and will probably have to start dealing with complaints soon.

It seems to me that the vast majority who have had the leak and had it repaired by the shop replacing the axle (axle assembly - axle shaft, seal and bearing as a unit) have not had problems again.
As a mechanic who started in the early 70s, I'd love to have my hands on one of these to evaluate - if it was housing how is it being repaired by replacing the shaft assembly?
If it's seal - why the right and not the left? As far as I can tell - the right and left seals are identical.
If it's the axle shaft- what about the shaft is causing the leak? Runout of the seal surface? Shaft finished undersized in the seal surface area? Some other imperfection?

I'd want to check it for balance, runout and more just like I do any other shaft.

 

[Free2roam]

Axle day at the dealership. Got some new Wildpeak AT 285/70/17 going on too plus flash of computer for accuracy. Hopefully it doesn't leak after the fact.

 

[KW80]

A few weeks and no more leaking?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

A few weeks and no more leaking?

Nice - wish mine was that clean. Time to get it washed on the underside, I guess - before winter.
Anyway, this is great news. That is DRY. No sign of any dust collecting - and it would if there was the slightest spec of oil for it to stick to.

 

[Rptr00]

Week 10 waiting for parts. I finally got the call to come in for the repair.

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