Did you experience grinding rear axle/sticking LSD?

Dutchy · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:21 am

There are quite a number of KJ owner out there who experience a grinding rear axle when driving away after a stop (at bottom of highway ramp for example)
Did you experience this and have you or your dealer found a fix for this problem.
The main suspect is the rear limited slip differential.

GregB · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:23 pm

If you view this and don't have a problem with your limited slip differential, don't be afraid to check 'no'. That way we know how common or uncommon this problem is. Thanks.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:42 pm

Is this only for folks that have the limited slip diff?

kjfishman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:17 pm

With mine up on a lift if a turn one wheel it acts almost like it is locked. Some times when turning corners I get some chirping. I had a Dodge Ram Charger with the factory LSD and it was scary to drive in the rain or snow because it wanted to push you straight when you wanted to turn. The jeep has not demonstrated that problem at all it works great.

GregB · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:36 am

Jeger wrote:

Is this only for folks that have the limited slip diff?

Well ... we've been assuming this is a problem with the LSD. Dealers tend to say this is a normal noise you'll occasionally hear, just the LSD sticking. Do you have this problem too and don't have LSD?

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:51 pm

GregB wrote:

Jeger wrote:

Is this only for folks that have the limited slip diff?

Well ... we've been assuming this is a problem with the LSD. Dealers tend to say this is a normal noise you'll occasionally hear, just the LSD sticking. Do you have this problem too and don't have LSD?

Nope....just didnt want to vote if the poll was only for those with trac-lock :wink:

Dutchy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:48 am

Every body can respond, if we can find a Liberty owner without LSD but still having this problem than we know it is not the LSD (i will be surpriced though)
It is good to see I'm not the only one out there with this issue.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:44 am

Ok, as it looks like nobody comes up with a possible fix, I decided to try to solve it myself.
I just ordered Redline 75W90 Synthetic Gear oil and I will add half a bottle of Redline LSD Friction Modifier, I decided for half a bottle as the oil it self already has a friction modifier.

As the full synthetic oil stays cooler and lubes better than the standard Mopar oil I hope this will fix the problem.

Just to make sure I will go on a 1000 Mile roadtrip to test it out.

GregB · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:33 pm

I'm on the dealerships computer right now. They're fixing some other issues, and are "looking into" the rear axle issue. I'm not expecting too much though.

... (edit) Got jeep back. They said first thing to do would be to change the fluid. They said the fluid was dirty even though it's only been about 12K miles. Said once they open it up to change the fluid they can inspect it. If they don't seen anything wrong visually I'll be paying for the fluid change, if they do see a problem repairs should be covered by the aftermarket service contract I have.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:15 am

Hi GregB,

Hope they can find the problem, make sure they use a magnet or filter when draining the fluid so any metal bits can be spotted.

When they can not find anything, make sure they fill it up again with 100% synthetic oil and ad a friction modifier don't use the standard Mopar stuff.

I think that could solve the problem, that is the way I'm going.

Jeep dealers change the axle oils every 25.000 Miles and I think that is not often enough.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

My jeep is stock limited, so I don't think i have LSD. And I have this noise, not for a long time only the first second of acceleration, coming from the rear and feels like clicking, or as if my tires are having hard time grabbing, but jeep is moving. It will only happen on soft take-offs.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:58 am

You can check if you have the LSD, when you lift both rear wheels off the ground, then you rotate one of the tires and watch what the other tire does. If it spins the opposite direction, you do not have a LSD. If it spins the same direction, you have a LSD.
Please be carefull your jeep is secure as you need to do this without applying the hand/e-brake and your Jeep should not be in gear.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Dutchy wrote:

You can check if you have the LSD, when you lift both rear wheels off the ground, if you turn one wheel by hand the other side will also turn when you have a LSD in there..
If the other side does not turn you do not have a LSD.
Please be carefull your jeep is secure as you need to do this without applying the hand/e-brake and your Jeep should not be in gear.

The build sheet did not state LSD.

Code:

DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHPP Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
DMES 3.73 Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EKG 3.7L V6 Engine 

Dutchy · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:13 am

Good news!

GregB changed his rear axle oil and got full synthetic with a friction modifier and it looks like this fixed the problem.

I'm next this weekend, I will get my oil in the post today!

Dutchy · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:04 pm

Update,

just spend a couple of hours in my friend's garage changing the rear diff oil and drinking koffee while the RTV dries.
The result is amazing, I drove up a narrow steep road with a lot of curves and no grinding to hear or tyre marks to be seen, looks like Redline 75W90 solved the problem.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:47 am

Update:

I'm just back from my road trip, I enjoyed 1500 Miles of grinding free driving in fact the grinding has never returned since I changed the crap the Jeep dealer used to put in my axle for Redline full synthetic.

The Jeep dealer ignored my complaints for over 2 years (37000 Miles)now and wanted to charge me £750 ($1500) for a new slip diff and all my KJ needed is better oil.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:44 am

All I did was add limited slip additive and the sound went away.

Did you experience grinding rear axle/sticking LSD?

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