Right Rear Axle Leak Recall

[len919]

Hi All,

I didn't see any threads on the recall so I thought I'd start one..

I just got a letter in the mail today from FCA telling me that the "right rear axle shaft may develop a leak after your vehicle has accumulated over 10,000 miles" and to bring the JT in for an inspection and potentially a new / free right rear axle.

The paperwork says if you've already fixed yours, they'll reimburse you. It tells dealers to reference CSN 26A.

I know a lot of people here have experienced it. I did too, right at 12,500mi. I have a 2021 Sport S with Max Tow w/ a Build date of 02-2021. Mine happened to start leaking right when I got my gears changed. The shop I had it at replaced the axle seal.

Questions:

1. Is there any reason to worry about the new seal? (not sure which brand seal I have off hand, could find out)

2. IF it is just the seal, why are they replacing the entire axle shaft? I assume it is out of caution in case someone drove after the oil leaked out and caused damaged. Is this a safe assumption?

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[Blade1668]

Faster turnaround by swapping out axle shaft with bearing and seal vs pulling axle shaft, remove bearing, seal and reinstall new bearing, seal with potential for damage to seal, bearing and axle shaft, install then leaking again.
Actually I did the same when my LJ R.R. axle shaft started to leak. Faster, new parts and didn’t cost much more. Plus stronger aftermarket shaft(s) "that was after over 200,000 miles.

 

[fourfa]

Long running thread here:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/leaking-axle-seal.42026/

 

[KennyBob]

Revolution Axle and Gear has the cromo rear axles in stock. Less than 600 bucks and they are VERY easy to swap out yourself in the drivewway. Upgraded mine due to right rear seal leak after being regeared. No more leak and a much stronger axle shaft. All the seals and bearings are already pressed on the shaft, i just needed to move the wheel studs from the old axles to the new axles.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Questions:

1. Is there any reason to worry about the new seal? (not sure which brand seal I have off hand, could find out)

2. IF it is just the seal, why are they replacing the entire axle shaft? I assume it is out of caution in case someone drove after the oil leaked out and caused damaged. Is this a safe assumption?

They didn't know if it was seal, axle shaft or axle tube
and
Dealers don't do detailed work - they replace parts and assemblies. Knowing the above, they are best off not cutting off a retainer, pressing off a bearing, swapping on a new seal, installing a new bearing and retainer and then putting it all back in - that's more expensive, can lead to errors, and they didn't know if it was the seal or something else.

Why sweat it? Let them fix it and not worry about why or what they replace. It's their dime.

Unless you are prepared to replace the bearing and seal - then maybe have it leak later- let the dealer do it.

And no, that's not a safe assumption. Driving with a leaking seal won't damage the shaft or bearing - it could damage brakes, or if it's bad leak and it lost enough lube (it would take a lot of loss) it would damage the differential, not the axle.

 

[len919]

Why sweat it? Let them fix it and not worry about why or what they replace. It's their dime.

Unless you are prepared to replace the bearing and seal - then maybe have it leak later- let the dealer do it.

Well.. In my case we have already replaced the seal and there is no leak.

I should probably post the entire recall here - in it, it says "your dealer will inspect and replace the right rear axle shaft if it is found to be leaking oil"...

So for me anyways, it appears my current options are to either get a few bucks from them for a axle seal or wait to see if it happens again, then have them replace it all. That said, hopefully the new seal doesn't have the same issue as the old..

 

[Erievon]

Does it give a date range for effected vehicles?

 

[glassjawkid32]

Does it give a date range for effected vehicles?

It's just says certain 2021 gladiators. No specifics.

 

[glassjawkid32]

Revolution Axle and Gear has the cromo rear axles in stock. Less than 600 bucks and they are VERY easy to swap out yourself in the drivewway. Upgraded mine due to right rear seal leak after being regeared. No more leak and a much stronger axle shaft. All the seals and bearings are already pressed on the shaft, i just needed to move the wheel studs from the old axles to the new axles.

I'll keep this in mind when the time comes.

 

[JoeJeep74]

I'll keep this in mind when the time comes.

I have a 21 Sport S Max Tow with 19500 miles , build per door sticker 2/21 , delivery 2/11/21. I read about customer adjustment here so I stopped by my repair dealer of choice ( not selling dealer) . They hadn’t been notified yet, so I showed them thread. They immediately inspected my truck and found it too be leaking. Contacted parts department, was told parts couldn’t be ordered for a few days. Parts ordered, came in promptly. Made appointment, total elapsed time of 1 week from inspection to appointment of 1 week. Swapped truck for loaner, had axle replaced, oil & filter change plus tire rotation in about 5 hours time last Friday, (Wave program ) going into holiday weekend. Only cost to me was to replace gas in loaner. This once again validates why I drive 1/2 hour past 3 other Jeep dealers whose service departments I have found lacking.

 

[Jakota]

I have a 2021 Gladiator Sport max tow. I just checked my right rear and saw the hub oil spatter in the wheel well.
Dropped it off at a dealership and went to work, I’m a trucker so getting the truck back right away isn’t a huge issue, but these people tell me it might not be done until the END OF DECEMBER!!!!!!!

I get it, there’s a strike going on right now, but holy cow dude!

I guess when I get back from the Philippines in January I’ll check and see if my Jeep is repaired. ?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm confused - is this a self-promotion, promotion for a TT account, or product or service - or, about the time it takes to fix an axle leak?
Video didn't work for me so I wasn't really sure.

 

[Jakota]

I'm confused - is this a self-promotion, promotion for a TT account, or product or service - or, about the time it takes to fix an axle leak?
Video didn't work for me so I wasn't really sure.

ITS JUST WHAT IT SAYS! The Jeep dealership says they won’t have my truck done until possibly the end of December! ??????????????

 

[OHJeeper]

Well, apparently this affects 2022's as well. Just found this when rotating my tires and inspecting brake pads at 23k miles. I have an appt to get my JT regeared the week after Christmas!! I hope they just have to replace the axle shaft/seal and it doesn't take too long... will call the dealer in the morning.

I did a quick fluid comparison to make sure it wasn't brake fluid. I'm pretty sure the axle fluid matches the "dirty" spots in the upper left side of the paper towel in this pic.

 

[OHJeeper]

Update: they replaced the entire axle assembly, just like with the recall. I was afraid they'd try to order the seal, bearing/race and cap and try and press them on at the shop. Glad they didn't, I don't know if I would have trusted them to do it right.

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