Rear axle fluid

[roaniecowpony]

Bought my 21 JLUR 12 days ago. Was able to pull it into the shop to do a oil change and checked all fluid levels.
I noticed some oil around the rear axle breather tube and wanted to check the fluid level. As soon as I pulled plug oil stared pouring out! So quickly shoved that back in.
Is there any reason it would be Over filled and how? Front axle was just below the fill hole.

It could have been filled with a bulk pressurized filler gun, such as a Graco or similar. I don't imagine Jiffy lube or a large dealer would use squeeze fill bottles. The other possibility is there is water intrusion. You should be able to see a milky look if there is water in the gear oil.

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[roaniecowpony]

Could you ever get on an angle steep enough and long enough while moving fast enough to prevent the rear pinion from receiving lubrication long enough to fail without losing the Jeep itself?

Color me skeptical. Even though the lubrication is "splash" in nature, the ring gear will still move the lubricant to the pinion, and it carries oil itself within its teeth in addition to the splash it creates. As long as the ring gear is not starved for oil which it would not be in the rear axle on an upwards incline, it would be fine.

Even the front would not be a concern on a steep angle because the pinion would be partially/mostly submerged in oil and lubrication would be still be adequate.

Yeah, I'd be more concerned with the engine oil, given the OE engines don't have dry sumps. My auto trans would also be a worry.

 

[CarbonSteel]

We talk about splash. Rock crawling is NOT a high speed sport so the splash often does not make a BIG splash when driving at walking speed.

It does not take much rotation at all for the ring gear to create a viscous coupling with the fluid--especially when the oil is >60°F. The fact that this is not high-speed operation is a benefit because the axle needs less lubrication at low speeds anyway.

In addition, the splash is not the only way that fluid lubricates the pinion, the ring gear carries it to the pinion within its own teeth.

If this were such a widespread problem, we would be seeing examples of it everywhere--particularly with the "internet amplification" that is possible today when it comes to bad news versus good.

 

[Old Jeeper]

It does not take much rotation at all for the ring gear to create a viscous coupling with the fluid--especially when the oil is >60°F.

In addition, the splash is not the only way that fluid lubricates the pinion, the ring gear carries it to the pinion within its own teeth.

If this were such a widespread problem, we would be seeing examples of it everywhere--particularly with the "internet amplification" that is possible today when it comes to bad news versus good.

Your are arguing for the sake of arguing. Which always leads to the fabrication of what the OP actually said.

I NEVER said it was a widespread problem. Clearly, it would not be so since most Jeeps never get past the curb so this is NOT applicable to them.

In addition, it's the Pinion bearing in the very nose of the axle and as I stated at 2-3 mpg there is not much splash happening and even with a viscous coupling and the ring gear/pinion its not going to crawl up the shaft to the bearing.

Finally, this is a Preventive Measure, no more, no less. Out Here!

 

[CarbonSteel]

Your are arguing for the sake of arguing. Which always leads to the fabrication of what the OP actually said.

I NEVER said it was a widespread problem. Clearly, it would not be so since most Jeeps never get past the curb so this is NOT applicable to them.

In addition, it's the Pinion bearing in the very nose of the axle and as I stated at 2-3 mpg there is not much splash happening and even with a viscous coupling and the ring gear/pinion its not going to crawl up the shaft to the bearing.

Finally, this is a Preventive Measure, no more, no less. Out Here!

Stating facts, not arguing--apologies if you took it that way.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Stating facts, not arguing--apologies if you took it that way.

OK, we are both stating facts each of us with his own paradigm. That is OK!

 

[Huntinwild88]

Drained it last night and the oil wasn't milky. The jeep at has 22k miles on it. So almost wonder if it was over filled at the factory.

 

[Flip]

Hey guys, can you please help me figure out if my axles have drain plugs. I got under there and looked around the best I could but I can't seem to find one if it's there. 2023 Sport 3.6l

Thank you

 

[Heimkehr]

Hey guys, can you please help me figure out if my axles have drain plugs.

I got under there and looked around the best I could but I can't seem to find one if it's there. 2023 Sport 3.6l

If present, they'll be facing down toward the ground to maximize drainage.

If you see a boss in that location, but no embedded plug, then draining the existing gear oil will require removal of the cover. The plug, if evident, will have a square hole; this allows a ratchet to be used for easy removal and refitting.

IIRC, forum discussion regarding the loss of drain plugs seemed to begin with at least some MY2022 Wranglers. That yours is a '23 seems to suggest that they may indeed be absent.

 

[bd100]

You can use a hand-held pistol style suction fluid transfer pump. Get the hose down to the bottom of the diff and you'll be able to draw out almost all of it.

 

[Flip]

You can use a hand-held pistol style suction fluid transfer pump. Get the hose down to the bottom of the diff and you'll be able to draw out almost all of it.

Good idea?

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