[Flybynightcru]

I have a new to me 2019 Limited 4x4 and this is the exact problem I’ve been having. It was purchased with only 12,000 in June and I started experiencing this. It’s my first 4WD vehicle as I had a FWD version of the same trim with the weak 2.4. It was totaled in an accident and since it was life-saving we decided to get another, but wanted more power with the 3.2L V6. The only ones we could find were 4WD so we took a chance. It drives great (much better than tge 2.4L) except the grinding in turns at low speeds under power. It’s been sitting at the shop for two days due to lack of technicians after making an appointment two weeks in advance (created a frustrating few days, but the GM stepped in and my rental is covered). I got a call today that the rear diff needs to be replaced. They have to order the part or get it from another dealer. Once I knew the issue, it was easy to research. Thanks for continuing this thread as it’s been very helpful in helping me understand the issue!

Welcome from Utah!!! That's unfortunate that you have to replace the RDM with such low mileage. I'm guessing, and hoping this is a warranty repair, and not out of pocket. Hopefully this will fix the issue. The RDM is typically not prone to premature failure, but we've seen a few, but usually at much higher mileage, or extreme offroad abuse. Good luck, and please keep us posted after the repairs...😎

 

[cubedtothex]

Welcome from Utah!!! That's unfortunate that you have to replace the RDM with such low mileage. I'm guessing, and hoping this is a warranty repair, and not out of pocket. Hopefully this will fix the issue. The RDM is typically not prone to premature failure, but we've seen a few, but usually at much higher mileage, or extreme offroad abuse. Good luck, and please keep us posted after the repairs...😎

Thanks! They told me that part is on back order twice and should be available on Friday, but we'll see. Once we hit Monday, my vehicle would have been waiting 2 weeks for the repair. They told me that this will be covered by the powertrain warrenty.

 

[cubedtothex]

Another update….I think was told that the part(s) won’t come in until Oct 25 now, ugh.

 

[N55RedJeep]

Hi again everyone.

I'm on week two of ownership of a 2014 TH with 26k miles 1 owner never off road in showroom condition top to bottom.

I would like to mention that this is truly my first 4X4 vehicle so I've been reading quite a bit lately on how these cars should behave normally.

So far all services and recalls are complete per Dealer. But I've noticed that the rear of the vehicle makes a grinding or binding noise, only while turning very sharply at slow speeds like in a parking lot. Sounds like it's coming from the diff area but I read it is possible it could be the brakes. I haven't read anything yet that's specific to the TH but on other similar jeeps they say the diff fluid needs to be changed or a loose pin or something in the rear brake system could have fell out or is faulty.

Much help on direction is gladly appreciated.

If it's the rear locker, just go under and un-plug it, if the noise goes away then you know that you have a 4000 dollar issue.

 

[AtlCade69]

Ugh, that's ~3,000 miles a year, lots of thing can go wrong if a vehicle just sits or is never fully warmed up/taken out on the highway.
'Little Old Lady' cars stopped being good in the mid '80s...

 

[cubedtothex]

I finally got it back yesterday morning! I was told the rear diff was defective and the repair sheet noted that they first tried a software update which failed. When they drained the fluid, there were metal shavings in it! Hey hey installed the new diff and now it’s smooth! I’m hoping this lasts!

 

[Pandy55]

Sharp binding while turning is usually the RDM (rear diff going bad) Pulling the F10 fuse can help diagnose the problem. If the issue goes away with the F10 fuse pulled (which disables the PTU) the RDM doesn't get power. There is no learning of the diameter of tires. There is no slippage required to send power to the rear there is always power going to the rear wheels at low speed and when the system in functioning properly there is no binding to be felt.

So my binding noise disappeared on slow speed once I pulled F10 , does that mean I have a failed rear differential assembly?

 

[Gary Kline]

So my binding noise disappeared on slow speed once I pulled F10 , does that mean I have a failed rear differential assembly?

Probably. While it could still be the PTU if you're not 100% sure it's coming from the rear. If definitely the rear, then it's the RDM.

 

[sanghill]

If you have a Trailhawk make sure your rear locker is OFF. Only works in 4 low.
Your RDM may leak gear oil. Have you been topping it up? If not it may have siezed.

 

[Pandy55]

So I have a 2016 Limited , removed F10 and binding noise from rear wheels on sharp low speed turns disappeared, reinstalled F10 fuse and it reappeared. Does that indicate that my REAR DIFFERENTIAL has failed ?

 

[Flybynightcru]

So I have a 2016 Limited , removed F10 and binding noise from rear wheels on sharp low speed turns disappeared, reinstalled F10 fuse and it reappeared. Does that indicate that my REAR DIFFERENTIAL has failed ?

Not necessarily. You're gonna need further analysis to narrow it down to 1) RDM, 2)PTU, or possibly a rear axle shaft, or driveshaft bearing. You aren't getting the "4x4 not available" message yet, so it's possibly something less complicated and expensive than the RDM or PTU hopefully...🤔😉😎

 

[sanghill]

Check the drive shaft.

 

[Flybynightcru]

First thing I would do is check, and top off the oil in the RDM, as they have a tendency to weep from the axle seal...😉😎

 

[Pandy55]

I am not getting 4WD fault message until I'm trying to engage 4WD LOW - LIGHT keeps blinking on button and then pops message 4WD SHIFT CANCELLED - RETRY

 

[Flybynightcru]

I am not getting 4WD fault message until I'm trying to engage 4WD LOW - LIGHT keeps blinking on button and then pops message 4WD SHIFT CANCELLED - RETRY

So, your Limited is equipped with the ADII 4x4 system???😎

 

[Pandy55]

Yes , differential has sticker ADS2 , ACTIVE DRIVE II BADGE on back, part number on differential 05106271ad - per dealer it should not be AWL code since it wasn't listed on VIN which makes the rear differential cheaper as part cost goes.

 

[Trailfirst]

Not saying of course that for sure it's the same issue - but our 2014 TH was making a very pronounced noise when turning at low speed - tighter the turn louder the sound - which sounded like the inside wheel scraping / dragging with a groaning sort of sound thru the car - more to the left I think than the right. I could hear it from the outside when my wife was backing out of our carport onto the road (reversing and turning).

That was pre F10 troubleshooting info so I didn't do the F10 thing. Online I found references to what sounded like the identical issue in earlier model jeeps - fixed by putting the factory "Additive Package" into the diff.

I put Nulon G70 into our diff and the sound disappeared. All modes seemed to work fine and the car worked flawlessly for the following couple of years until it was stolen and written off.

 

[Pandy55]

Would low fluid cause 4WD LOW not engage ? I personally wouldn't think. Is 4WD LOW engaged by rear diff/module ?

Id assume a bad cv axle or drive shaft would still allow vehicle to go into 4WD LOW mode, mine doesn't, throws error 4WD SHIFT CANCELLED RETRY shift

 

[Gary Kline]

I am not getting 4WD fault message until I'm trying to engage 4WD LOW - LIGHT keeps blinking on button and then pops message 4WD SHIFT CANCELLED - RETRY

Hi @Pandy55,

• It's not your driveshaft. The driveshaft doesn't flex in the right-left axis. (actually, once installed, it doesn't flex at all in terms of movement independent of the car body)
• It's likely not your PTU as long as you're 100% sure you're hearing the noise from the back.
• Most likely it's your RDM (though doesn't mean it's 'failed'). Inside your RDM is a differential (on the left side).
  • If you're low on fluid it could be binding. Check to make sure you have sufficient fluid (your AD2 unit has two fill holes, check both).
  • Also, does the left (drivers) side of your RDM show evidence of oil loss where the axle shaft enters the unit? (oil 'weeping')
  • Lastly, if you grab the driver's axle where it meets the RDM and shake it, does it have a lot of play? Then do the same to the passenger's side. There are bearings right inside the unit where the axle shafts enter that can wear if the oil runs low.

Some other lesser but still possible causes:

1. Is one rear tire (left or right) grossly different sized than the other either through tire size, unusual wear or underinflation.​

2. It's possible a wheel bearing or axle shaft could be making the noise however it's not very common in the rear since the rear wheels are fixed (non-turning) and wouldn't generally exhibit noise that varies through steering.​

 

[Pandy55]

Hi @Pandy55,

• It's not your driveshaft. The driveshaft doesn't flex in the right-left axis. (actually, once installed, it doesn't flex at all in terms of movement independent of the car body)
• It's likely not your PTU as long as you're 100% sure you're hearing the noise from the back.
• Most likely it's your RDM (though doesn't mean it's 'failed'). Inside your RDM is a differential (on the left side).
  • If you're low on fluid it could be binding. Check to make sure you have sufficient fluid (your AD2 unit has two fill holes, check both).
  • Also, does the left (drivers) side of your RDM show evidence of oil loss where the axle shaft enters the unit? (oil 'weeping')
  • Lastly, if you grab the driver's axle where it meets the RDM and shake it, does it have a lot of play? Then do the same to the passenger's side. There are bearings right inside the unit where the axle shafts enter that can wear if the oil runs low.

Some other lesser but still possible causes:

1. Is one rear tire (left or right) grossly different sized than the other either through tire size, unusual wear or underinflation.​

2. It's possible a wheel bearing or axle shaft could be making the noise however it's not very common in the rear since the rear wheels are fixed (non-turning) and wouldn't generally exhibit noise that varies through steering.​

I will get video of the sound it makes and play in rear CV axles. Does anyone think that low fluid level in rear diff could cause 4wd low not to engage?