Loose differential fill plugs 2023 Rubicon

[jbtrails]

Hey everyone, just changed the differential oil of both axles in my 2023 JL Rubicon Extreme Recon I bought new, built in August 2022, and both fill plugs were not tight at all, they felt like they were held in by the solidified thread sealer. I went ahead and changed the oil and re-tightened to 25 ft. Lbs, noticed they do not stick out as far either. You may want to check yours.

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[Old Dogger]

Very sad Factory quality... Thank you for the INFO..

 

[Steemax]

My 2022 Rubicon (built January 2022) had them appropriately tight when I changed fluid. Is your build date on a Friday by any chance?

 

[NWJeepr]

The fill plugs only need to be snug as to not leak. Does not look like yours was leaking. Cranking them down makes for a loose fill plug as it expands the hole in the diff cover.

Definitely don't crank on fill plugs in your aluminum transfer case like that, easy to crack the housing...

 

[jadmt]

The fill plugs only need to be snug as to not leak. Does not look like yours was leaking. Cranking them down makes for a loose fill plug as it expands the hole in the diff cover.

Definitely don't crank on fill plugs in your aluminum transfer case like that, easy to crack the housing...

ditto.

 

[Old Dogger]

There is a factory recommended torque, for them plugs. He was correct in what he used!

 

[Eyeball]

There is a factory recommended torque, for them plugs. He was correct in what he used!

I am a huge follower of torque specs. For my TJ I have a complete factory service manual. I have not been able to find the same for my 2023 JL. It looks like what you posted came from some sort of comprehensive list. Is that something you can point me towards online?

 

[Terrymo]

I am a huge follower of torque specs. For my TJ I have a complete factory service manual. I have not been able to find the same for my 2023 JL. It looks like what you posted came from some sort of comprehensive list. Is that something you can point me towards online?

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/torque-values-for-jeep-jl-wrangler.17791/

 

[MA Joop]

I did the diff fluid in my ‘23 Rubi XR over the weekend, found that my rear fill plug was surprisingly loose as well, barely “finger tight.” The front fill plug seemed to be appropriately tight though.

Tightening the cover bolts to 30ft-lbs seemed overkill and I was a bit worried about snapping one of them.

 

[jadmt]

I did the diff fluid in my ‘23 Rubi XR over the weekend, found that my rear fill plug was surprisingly loose as well, barely “finger tight.” The front fill plug seemed to be appropriately tight though.

Tightening the cover bolts to 30ft-lbs seemed overkill and I was a bit worried about snapping one of them.

I agree on the cover bolts..they should not really take near that much and they are pretty small 8.8 bolts.

 

[Old Dogger]

Yes, I could copy the link. It came from a PDF File. But I see that Terrymo in post #8, already fixed you up with the INFO needed.

 

[Eyeball]

Yes, I could copy the link. It came from a PDF File. But I see that Terrymo in post #8, already fixed you up with the INFO needed.

If you are willing to share the PDF I would like to have an off line resource.

 

[flyer92]

If you are willing to share the PDF I would like to have an off line resource.

Yes…same here. Thank you!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I did the diff fluid in my ‘23 Rubi XR over the weekend, found that my rear fill plug was surprisingly loose as well, barely “finger tight.” The front fill plug seemed to be appropriately tight though.

Tightening the cover bolts to 30ft-lbs seemed overkill and I was a bit worried about snapping one of them.

30 would be crazy on the cover bolts. I tightened mine to 20 when I changed diff covers.

 

[MA Joop]

30 would be crazy on the cover bolts. I tightened mine to 20 when I changed diff covers.

Agreed, but that is what the spec sheet from Dana shows. I tightened all cover bolts to 20, then 25, then set my torque wrench to 30 but only actually got a few bolts that tight, I didn’t like how it felt on most of them and only got a bit past where they were at 25.

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