How bad is this diff leak?

[JlRubicon13]

Jeep with 2600 miles.
After long drives, I can smell a distinct gear oil smell from the rear end. Ended up finding 2 rosette welds wet on the rear axle. I cleaned them both. One didn’t return, so I believe it was just residue from the factory, however the other one seems to be slightly wet again after 100 miles (almost nothing). From what I read, the only solution is to replace the axle. Is it worth going through that? Not sure if I want the dealership messing with it this early on. Or would it be better to address this later? The picture is from before I cleaned it and the smell seems to have stopped since I cleaned it as well.

Sponsored

 

[Zon]

Maybe just make sure it’s full after a few more thousand and then deal with it if it’s not. That would seem almost insignificant really if it’s less than a weap

 

[JlRubicon13]

Maybe just make sure it’s full after a few more thousand and then deal with it if it’s not. That would seem almost insignificant really if it’s less than a weap

That’s what I’m thinking as well. Shouldn’t be enough to make a difference.

 

[Apples491]

There are things you could do to resolve on your own. You could get some black, high temp RTV and fill in the gap on the plug. Or you could find someone to do a quick weld on it. However, if I had just spent 50k on a vehicle, I wouldn't be satisfied just dealing with a small leak. If I was able confirm it is actually leaking, I would bring it in and run through a warranty process.

 

[JlRubicon13]

There are things you could do to resolve on your own. You could get some black, high temp RTV and fill in the gap on the plug. Or you could find someone to do a quick weld on it. However, if I had just spent 50k on a vehicle, I wouldn't be satisfied just dealing with a small leak. If I was able confirm it is actually leaking, I would bring it in and run through a warranty process.

That’s what I’m conflicted on. At one side I want it fixed but at the other I’m not sure if I want the dealership messing with the rear end on a brand new jeep. I guess I’ll monitor and see how it is in 5k miles.

 

[Apples491]

The axles show up basically assembled. It's not like they're setting backlash on the gears or anything. They unbolt the old axle from the driveshaft, brakes and suspension and repeat the process in reverse. Hard to mess up.

 

[Spank]

The axles show up basically assembled. It's not like they're setting backlash on the gears or anything. They unbolt the old axle from the driveshaft, brakes and suspension and repeat the process in reverse. Hard to mess up.

If anyone can find a way to screw that up, though, it'll be a Jeep dealership.

 

[lindaspins]

Document and warranty. There's no reason at 2600 miles that they could turn you down. If you ignore or try to repair on your own, you may be out of luck.

 

[Eyeball]

Functionally it is likely not a problem. However, you paid for a new vehicle and should be able to expect a leak free vehicle whether or not it affects functionality.

It is an incomplete weld. While unlikely if you are every out wheeling and spin a tube, whether this is related or not, you will always be wondering…

Personally, I would attempt to warranty it. Otherwise every time I looked at that axle it would grate on me.

 

[JlRubicon13]

Doesn’t even seep out l, just stays a little wet around the hole.

 

[TrustWonUSA]

Maybe not such a big deal as far as leaks go, however get into knee deep water and what might get it in could be catastraphic

Sponsored