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Rear differential bearings are defective, less than 500 miles

RagTopDeluxe

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I brought my custom ordered JLR home on April 26. This past Saturday, eight days later, we drove to the coast. On the way home, we heard an unusual noise coming from the rear of the Jeep. After stopping to check for debris under the Jeep, we headed on. The throttle response decreased and the noise didn't stop. Thankfully we weren't too far from home.

Here's a video of the noise:


I called FCA and opened a case.

I took it to the dealer this morning and they discovered that the rear differential bearings are defective.

I have also noticed that the steering wanders and is loose, so added that to the case and the service department will check that after the rear differential is fixed.

The (very helpful service advisor) took me into the shop and I took a few photos:

IMG_6086-X3.jpg


IMG_6088-X3.jpg


IMG_6089-X3.jpg


The service department has been great so far and have been very helpful regarding a rental and communication.

This is incredibly disappointing! I have been looking forward to my Wrangler for some time and now have an SUV to drive around during this perfect spring weather. Here's hoping it's fixed soon(ish).
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TJ2018

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The service department has been great so far and have been very helpful regarding a rental and communication.

This is incredibly disappointing! I have been looking forward to my Wrangler for some time and now have an SUV to drive around during this perfect spring weather. Here's hoping it's fixed soon(ish).
Bad bearings is bad luck but easily resolved. Finding a dealer that is customer service oriented and wanting to help you... priceless! That's the lion's share of the battle right there.
 

HiJinx69

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Well, be ready to wait for a long time. I have been waiting on the bearing kit for my rear axle for 69 days! The distributors will not give any definitive timeline for availability. Good luck!
 
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RagTopDeluxe

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Bad bearings is bad luck but easily resolved. Finding a dealer that is customer service oriented and wanting to help you... priceless! That's the lion's share of the battle right there.
They have been very helpful with having my Jeep on the lift and diagnosed by lunch. I really appreciate the service advisor's help in getting a usable rental. Now to wait...


Well, be ready to wait for a long time. I have been waiting on the bearing kit for my rear axle for 69 days! The distributors will not give any definitive timeline for availability. Good luck!
69 days!?! Do you have the same issue?
 

HiJinx69

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They have been very helpful with having my Jeep on the lift and diagnosed by lunch. I really appreciate the service advisor's help in getting a usable rental. Now to wait...




69 days!?! Do you have the same issue?
I have the knocking in the diff. Clunking and rotational grinding. Some have had them replaced, but comes back. Yours looks like the pinion bearing. The kit I'm waiting for replaces all the bearings in the rear diff, including the pinion.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/knock-in-rear-with-dana-44.16921/page-25
 

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RagTopDeluxe

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I have the knocking in the diff. Clunking and rotational grinding. Some have had them replaced, but comes back. Yours looks like the pinion bearing. The kit I'm waiting for replaces all the bearings in the rear diff, including the pinion.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/knock-in-rear-with-dana-44.16921/page-25
Thank you for the link. It seems that most people on the thread have Sports or Saharas with LSD that clunk.

I read that @Huehue80 has a Rubicon and am curious if his "rear end knock then a loud bearing noise" was similar to mine.
 

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I got the gears fixed and its running fine. If you take it to the dealer they will just swap the axle or under warranty.

The issue I have now is after the gear swap to 5.13 gears the locker stopped working and I found out today its not under warranty. The only replacement for the locker is a new axle.
 
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RagTopDeluxe

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I got the gears fixed and its running fine. If you take it to the dealer they will just swap the axle or under warranty.

The issue I have now is after the gear swap to 5.13 gears the locker stopped working and I found out today its not under warranty. The only replacement for the locker is a new axle.
Thanks for posting.

I quickly read through the other thread and noticed that you were the only (or one of very few) Rubicons, so was curious is your issue was the same as mine.

Good luck getting the new axle working!
 
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RagTopDeluxe

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Update from my case manager at Jeep Wave: the parts department at the dealer ordered a spacer and shim with an ETA of tomorrow (but that indicated date could be when the parts are released by the supplier).
 
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I'm updating this in case someone else has the same issue.

I called the service advisor to ask about the bearings. The were bad and they have the replacements already. They are waiting for the spacer and shim.

I'm really missing my Jeep! The Grand Cherokee is very nice, but not fun.
 

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RagTopDeluxe

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I picked up my Jeep today! So good to be back in my Wrangler. The Grand Cherokee is a very nice SUV, but isn't fun.

In case someone has this similar issue down the road, here's what was fixed:

IMG_6160-X2.jpg
 

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Hi... Just reaching out to join the failed rear differential party. Mine started making clunking sounds about 9 months after purchase. It has been at the dealership for the last 5 days. On day one they told me that the rear differential had failed - grey fluid, metal floaters, and moveable gears. They sent me on my way with a loaner car (compass) and I haven't heard a peep since. I've tried to reach out for an update but haven't been able to reach anyone or get a return call.
 
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RagTopDeluxe

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Hi... Just reaching out to join the failed rear differential party. Mine started making clunking sounds about 9 months after purchase. It has been at the dealership for the last 5 days. On day one they told me that the rear differential had failed - grey fluid, metal floaters, and moveable gears. They sent me on my way with a loaner car (compass) and I haven't heard a peep since. I've tried to reach out for an update but haven't been able to reach anyone or get a return call.
Damn! Sorry to hear that. Do you have a Rubicon? I’ve read that some Sports/Sahara’s? with the limited slip diffs have had issues. Good luck with the repair. The good news is that mine has been solid since the repair.

@JeepCares looks like @ProJeep needs your assistance.
 
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StevenSF

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The rear differential on my sport failed at 29xxx miles. The repair took 3 weeks to complete.

20190611_230212.jpg
 

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Hi... Just reaching out to join the failed rear differential party. Mine started making clunking sounds about 9 months after purchase. It has been at the dealership for the last 5 days. On day one they told me that the rear differential had failed - grey fluid, metal floaters, and moveable gears. They sent me on my way with a loaner car (compass) and I haven't heard a peep since. I've tried to reach out for an update but haven't been able to reach anyone or get a return call.
Hi ProJeep,
We would be happy to get you connected with a case specialist to add an extra layer of assistance while working with your dealership. Please send our team a private message!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist
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