[THawk15]

Parked my 2015 TH after a short highway trip and noticed oil on the back of the tailgate. I crawled underneath the vehicle and discovered that the front of the rear differential was cracked. I have never driven this vehicle off road. Does anyone know if I can replace just the front portion of the differential? There are bolts so it seems like it can be removed. I’ve attached pictures.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Flybynightcru]

Parked my 2015 TH after a short highway trip and noticed oil on the back of the tailgate. I crawled underneath the vehicle and discovered that the front of the rear differential was cracked. I have never driven this vehicle off road. Does anyone know if I can replace just the front portion of the differential? There are bolts so it seems like it can be removed. I’ve attached pictures. If the crack is in the front portion, it could have stemmed from a driveshaft issue possibly. Not a super common problem you have there...😎
Thanks for your help!

Your picture didn't post, but the RDM (rear differential module) is a complete unit, and definitely not inexpensive unfortunately.

 

[THawk15]

That’s what I thought. Do you know if it’s a DIYremoval, any special tools needed? Here are the pics and thank you!

 

[Flybynightcru]

That’s what I thought. Do you know if it’s a DIYremoval, any special tools needed? Here are the pics and thank you!

I have not tried, but I'm sure if you're fairly mechanically inclined, it's not terribly difficult. This is not a common issue, but there are sometimes other failures that are usually something internal. I would take a close look at the driveshaft as well. Excessive play in the driveshaft could be a factor. Did you notice any vibrations before it broke???😎

 

[Reel Crazy]

Very Similar crack as my rear diff. Looks like the same crack location. happened approx. 40K miles so it was covered, by warranty, only after they asked me 15 times what Hit off-roading. Never had it off-road.

 

[THawk15]

I have not tried, but I'm sure if you're fairly mechanically inclined, it's not terribly difficult. This is not a common issue, but there are sometimes other failures that are usually something internal. I would take a close look at the driveshaft as well. Excessive play in the driveshaft could be a factor. Did you notice any vibrations before it broke???😎

Good call out on the drive shaft. No vibrations, it drove normal and no warning lights. I need to learn how to separate the axles from the RDM. Thanks!

 

[THawk15]

Unfortunately I’m out of warranty. I went to the dealer and called the corporate office asking for a parts or labor discount for being a loyal customer and there answer was no, which I expected.

 

[Flybynightcru]

Unfortunately I’m out of warranty. I went to the dealer and called the corporate office asking for a parts or labor discount for being a loyal customer and there answer was no, which I expected.

Well, hopefully the RDM's aren't on backorder like the PTU's (transfer case). We've got members that have been broke down and waiting for months now for those. Good luck, and keep us posted, and welcome from Utah...😎

 

[rumrunner]

Yikes! what kind of steel are they using or not using to make those parts?

 

[Flybynightcru]

Yikes! what kind of steel are they using or not using to make those parts?

I'll give you a hint, they're flying a spy balloon across America right now...LOL!!!😳😎

 

[Gary Kline]

OMG! Steel case cracked right through! OK, I would pull the 4WD fuse in the fuse box under the hood right away so your car doesn't send power to the rear. It looks like the oil has completely drained out. Eventually (soon) the gears will bind and the driveshaft and possibly the PTU take damage. Pulling the fuse takes the RDM out and keeps your Cherokee in FWD mode.

It is possible to change yourself if you work on cars but not super easy as you need to elevate the car to work under it. As for replacement units you can buy new (they do cost a good coin) or find one used on car-parts.com or eBay. Note, you're probably want to make sure you can inspect it first, it has a basic warranty and you match the part number with your VIN as there's several versions depending on whether you have AD1, AD2, AD2Lock etc.

 

[THawk15]

OMG! Steel case cracked right through! OK, I would pull the 4WD fuse in the fuse box under the hood right away so your car doesn't send power to the rear. It looks like the oil has completely drained out. Eventually (soon) the gears will bind and the driveshaft and possibly the PTU take damage. Pulling the fuse takes the RDM out and keeps your Cherokee in FWD mode. It is possible to change yourself if you work on cars but not super easy as you need to elevate the car to work under it. As for replacement units you can buy new (they do cost a good coin) or find one used on car-parts.com or eBay. Note, you're probably want to make sure you can inspect it first, it has a basic warranty and you match the part number with your VIN as there's several versions depending on whether you have AD1, AD2, AD2Lock etc.

Thank you for the great information! I’ll be sure to pull the fuse. I’ll probably do the work myself. My only concern is separating the rear axles from the RDM. Do you know where I can get info on how to do that? Thanks again!

 

[Gary Kline]

Thank you for the great information! I’ll be sure to pull the fuse. I’ll probably do the work myself. My only concern is separating the rear axles from the RDM. Do you know where I can get info on how to do that? Thanks again!

Your wish is my command See attached... . In short, you'll need to disconnect the driveshaft, remove one side rear knuckle so you can drop the RDM unit and have enough room to angle the first half-shaft out and then angle the other way to get the other HS out. It's pretty much just a 100% mechanical job.

 

[THawk15]

Your wish is my command See attached... . In short, you'll need to disconnect the driveshaft, remove one side rear knuckle so you can drop the RDM unit and have enough room to angle the first half-shaft out and then angle the other way to get the other HS out. It's pretty much just a 100% mechanical job.

This is fantastic!! Thank you so much - you made my day!!😃🎉

 

[Gary Kline]

This is fantastic!! Thank you so much - you made my day!!😃🎉

 

[Snowhawk2015]

OMG! Steel case cracked right through! . . .

Use a magnet, the housing is an aluminum cast. I've replaced mine twice. Time consuming so I had a dealer do it. Check my posts for a write-up.

 

[THawk15]

Thanks and I did review your previous posts on the subject. It seems as though I can replace just the front portion of the RDM. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again!