Grinding noise in 4WD on brand new Rubicon

[Stumeat]

Awesome! Ordered the Tazer Mini on Friday.

You will love it, so many things you can do with it!

Sponsored

 

[Stumeat]

5) Engine option? probably a good question too.
for #3, I've never used that offroad + button, so I doubt that is it. And #4, the answer is yes, 2021 is the first year for it in Wranglers, but 2020 Gladiators have it.

For your #5 question I have the non eTorque 2.0. My previous JL Rubicon was a 2.0 with the eTorque and had no issues, but also did NOT have the OffRoad+ software.

 

[redelses]

The offroad+ does change the traction/stability control, unless the manual is incorrect? Also when pressing the offroad+ button the screen displays a message that ESC is turned off I believe.

Thank you for your contribution. This is one clear piece of evidence that it’s is the BLD system and no ones front differential is falling apart.
Let me understand your correctly: You get the grinding noise only when the nannies are enabled AND you have the off-road+ button enabled also? So if your off-road+ button isn’t enabled, you don’t get the grinding sounds at all?
Because the off-road+ button should have nothing to do with the BLD/ESC/traction control system. The button only changes engine and transmission tuning and shift points.

 

[Howardlv22]

Ok, tried this and I could NOT get the sound to repeat. Reset the system and sound was back. Appears to be exactly what is going on here. I can only get the sound when OffRoad+ and all nannies enabled.

@JeepCares is there is chance you could get involved so that we don't have to self diagnose on our own here?

Few questions to help narrow it down:
1) 2021 only?
2) JLUR only?
3) Only when OffRoad+ is engaged?
4) IS 2021 the first year OffRoad+ was offered on the Wrnagler?

Thank all.

its not when off-road plus is engaged, I don't have that neither do a couple other guys here, I do however have the dana 44 up front so I think its a d44 thing, and guys with 2020 have had the issue as well.

 

[Stumeat]

The offroad+ does change the traction/stability control, unless the manual is incorrect? Also when pressing the offroad+ button the screen displays a message that ESC is turned off I believe.

I am using the Tazer and also holding the T.C. button until my dash lights up including my BRAKE light. I do see what you mean about the manual and unsure how to reply about that. It could very well NOT be related to OffRoad+, I am just trying to see what I can and cannot duplicate on my end. It would be awesome for a MOPAR engineer to look into what is going on.

 

[DavidArmen]

The offroad+ does change the traction/stability control, unless the manual is incorrect? Also when pressing the offroad+ button the screen displays a message that ESC is turned off I believe.

I stand corrected! Thank you for this update. It seems Offroad+ does have an effect on traction control and esc. More importantly, it appears that with off-road+ enabled in 4Lo, the BLD is even more aggressive than usual when in first gear and/or slow speeds; perhaps making the sound even more noticeable?

 

[redelses]

I think they decided to use the phrase in the manual of "more aggressive" was determined after they test drove the prototype and decided that "WTF" was accurate but not appropriate. It should say that "The BLD will kick into WTF mode - and you'll know what that is when it happens."

I stand corrected! Thank you for this update. It seems Offroad+ does have an effect on traction control and esc. More importantly, it appears that with off-road+ enabled in 4Lo, the BLD is even more aggressive than usual when in first gear and/or slow speeds; perhaps making the sound even more noticeable?

 

[JeepCares]

btw way, i am new to this forum and I am not sure how to quote or tag Jeep Cares to the message I just posted. If anyone can help me out like Pharmguy75 did in my previous post I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to make sure Kate/ Jeep Cares sees my post and my post does not get over looked. Thanks all!

Sorry for the delay here, FrankieBee! We had issues with some messages coming in and are just seeing them now. If you are still experiencing concerns, we would be happy to help. Send our team a private message with more details to get started.

Kate
Jeep Cares

It happened to me again yesterday when I went to 4L, I recognized it immediately. I put the transmission into N, then slid the transfer case to neutral (all the traction control and ABS turns back on in N, btw), counted to 5 then slid the transfer case back to 4L, counted to 5 again then slid transmission to D. No more issues the rest of the day. I had no issues the day before and spent 5 or 6 hours off-road. It definitely has something to do with the ABS / Traction control not disengaging when going to 4L (that's the only time I have noticed it). Perhaps switching to D before the system has fully disengaged? Are manual transmissions experiencing this?

As for "It's a Jeep" thing...that is BS because they can't explain or recreate the issue. Now that I know what the sound is, and how I can clear it, it doesn't make it a Jeep thing, it certainly makes it a "My Jeep" thing, but not all Jeeps do it. I shudder to think how I could even make this understandable to a service writer, lol.

Very sorry to hear that, Jeepsk8. I know it has been a few days, but if you are still experiencing concerns, our team would be happy to dig in further. To start, send us a private message.

Kate
Jeep Cares

Hi all,
I am having the same grinding issue in 4 lo. been to 2 different dealers who "can't duplicate any noises that aren't normal" I even have a video taken from inside the cab that you can clearly hear the noise, no help. Howardlv22 if your guy comes through please let us know. I'm in San Diego, but will gladly drive to the same Arizona dealer. I need someone who isn't going to blow me off or blame the lift. btw I have a 2021 JLUR v6 Auto

Good afternoon, BADMAV302. If you need any assistance while working with your dealer, let us know. We are in private message to discuss further.

Kate
Jeep Cares

I got a 2021 JL Rubicon last October. Last month was the first time I put it in 4L near Laverkin Creek. What I experienced was awful. When going over boulders in the creek in 4L, the JL has this awful metal on metal grinding noise when I turn. If I go straight in 4L - no problem. I also noticed when the front wheels go over boulders I get the terrible grinding noise. It sounds like the grinding is coming from the front end. This problem only seems to appear when in 4L (not 4H). I've had Jeeps for 40 years, but this is my first JL. I feel like it is not safe to take this thing off-road, and possibly break down in the middle of nowhere. I took it to my Jeep Dealer 3 weeks ago, and the mechanic drove the vehicle with me to hear the grinding noise. Luckily, there was an area near the dealership to drive off-road. The mechanic doesn't know what the grinding is, but he did drive 2 brand new 2021 JLURs, and he said they are doing the same thing. The Jeep mechanic is waiting to hear from the Mopar Dealer Rep for Utah. Wishing I had kept my 2017 JK.

So sorry to hear of your concerns so soon in ownership, Bret. Let us know if you would like an additional layer of assistance while at the dealer.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[Stumeat]

I have been in contact with JeepCares and we are going to be trying a "Case Specialist) with my dealer to try and make some headway. I will update as we progress. @JeepCares has taken care of me in the past and I am confident that we will get somewhere in time.

 

[Locorico]

FYI, it's not just a Rubi issue. I get the noise on my Sport S.

So what's the net result of all this self-diagnosis? Is it normal? Do we need to disable everything to get it to stop?

Thanks everybody for all the great info.

 

[Stumeat]

FYI, it's not just a Rubi issue. I get the noise on my Sport S.

So what's the net result of all this self-diagnosis? Is it normal? Do we need to disable everything to get it to stop?

Thanks everybody for all the great info. I seriously thought I was gonna lose a wheel or tranny when I first started hearing it!

Good info as to it being an issue on your Sport. It is defiantly not "normal" even though that is what a few of us are being told by dealers. They told us the wandering steering was "normal" as well!

 

[Stumeat]

I've coordinated with @JeepCares and have an appointment with a specialist on Wednesday. Will update if I make any progress.

 

[Howardlv22]

Saturday I went and did table mesa, on the first obstacle that I put it in 4LOW it grinded and made the harsh noice. I have the Taser Mini, so I then tried the "press the traction control for 5 seconds until everything is lit up and turned off". I then redid the obstacle, no grinding. no noise whatsoever. I tried it again and again. At least for me with the taser mini, holding that button five seconds fixes the issue. You do have to do it every time you turn your jeep off and restart it, but holding a button isn't a huge deal. I am still pursuing holding Jeep accountable for this but at least its a bandaid for now.

 

[BADMAV302]

Saturday I went and did table mesa, on the first obstacle that I put it in 4LOW it grinded and made the harsh noice. I have the Taser Mini, so I then tried the "press the traction control for 5 seconds until everything is lit up and turned off". I then redid the obstacle, no grinding. no noise whatsoever. I tried it again and again. At least for me with the taser mini, holding that button five seconds fixes the issue. You do have to do it every time you turn your jeep off and restart it, but holding a button isn't a huge deal. I am still pursuing holding Jeep accountable for this but at least its a bandaid for now.

Well its good to hear its not an actual mechanical grinding, and just the nannies. Hopefully jeep can just come out with a software update to correct it. However we still need to bug them with bringing the jeeps in for the noise to force the correction.

 

[DavidArmen]

Saturday I went and did table mesa, on the first obstacle that I put it in 4LOW it grinded and made the harsh noice. I have the Taser Mini, so I then tried the "press the traction control for 5 seconds until everything is lit up and turned off". I then redid the obstacle, no grinding. no noise whatsoever. I tried it again and again. At least for me with the taser mini, holding that button five seconds fixes the issue. You do have to do it every time you turn your jeep off and restart it, but holding a button isn't a huge deal. I am still pursuing holding Jeep accountable for this but at least its a bandaid for now.

Thank you for trying this. This is another piece of evidence that it’s not a mechanical issue in the front axle but the BLD system. Most likely they put the BLD software in the jeep before it was 100% kinked out.

Sponsored