[sanghill]

I top up at least annually. My left axle seal weeps. My magnetic plugs have never had that many metal filings. Only a slight amount of very fine particals. I use OEM gear oil.
My offroad trips are not nearly as severe as yours.
Encouraging you figured out how to remove gear oil. I never figured it out.

 

[sanghill]

I have been topping up the RDM since it was new. The LR axle seal has been weeping since I bought it.

 

[sanghill]

Looks like the correct gear oil. Mopar PN 68227765AA.

 

[sanghill]

I like axle seal weep, saves me the effort of sucking out gear oil.
Jeeps don't leak, they are just marking their territory.

 

[sanghill]

Your picture in Post #4 shows 70W-80. Your link in Post #7 is 75W-85. Since you live where it is hot 75W-85 may be ok. GL-5 is the important lubrication specification.

 

[sanghill]

This is the new part number: 68227765GB Available from Moparonlineparts.com for $33.73 USD. Lubricant 68227765GB | Mopar Online Parts
Today I bought 68227765AB for $25.35 USD. The Jeep dealer only has 1 left in stock.

For desert driving where it is hot, synthetic 85 viscosity should be fine. The W in 75W means Winter, not 'weight', or viscosity.
The difference between 80 and 85 will not be noticeable in actual operation. The RDM isn't shifting gears like a manual transaxle.

For the Canadians, 70W is critical. When it is below freezing if the oil does not have the W (Winter) rating it WILL be too thick in viscosity.

My personal preference for extreme use synthetic gear oil is Red Line. Red Line Synthetic Oil. Gear Oil

 

[sanghill]

If your Jeep dealer doesn't have a part, they can tell you the nearest Jeep dealer that does.

 

[sanghill]

Not me. That is not a picture of a 2014 TH RDM.

Quote from Chrysler Academy Student Workbook page 138: "The RDM hydraulic fluid is used to apply the clutch. The fluid is filled-for-life, so fluid service should only be required after pump motor or pressure sensor replacement. If a fluid refill is required, the vehicle must be placed on a hoist, the RDM lowered, and the hydraulic fluid cover removed."

The 2 rear facing 3/8" socket magnetic plugs are for topping up the gear oil.

 

[sanghill]

Don't use Redline oil in the Jeep. Used it in my SAAB. Haven't done the research for the Jeep, still using Mopar gear oil.

 

[sanghill]

Remove both fill plugs, maybe annually, and wipe off the metal filings. That way there is room for more later. Top up the gear oil. That is the easiest way to figure out if the oil level is correct. Use the correct Mopar gear oil.

 

[sanghill]

Post #21 above is the easy way to find who has the gear oil.

 

[sanghill]

I have 3 quart bottles of RDU gear oil. The old PN, the new PN and some bottled from leftovers. Make me an offer I can't refuse, I'll never need it. I don't think it will ship very well. It is probably considered to be a hazardous material. I can leave the bottles at a local Jeep dealership and you can pick them up there. Anywhere in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, preferably in MD. Or in Garrett County, MD, there are 2 Jeep dealers there.

 

[sanghill]

Replacing the seal probably won't work. This is why:
https://www.jeepcherokeeclub.com/th...should-have-the-dealership-check-change-do.250637/?post_id=3044213#post-3044213 Post #14.

 

[sanghill]

This is my Maintenance Log entry at 132748 miles:
Removed left magnetic fill plug from RDM. Lots of gear oil drained out. Replaced the fill plug with a new plug that has a male 3/8 inch square head. Now use a 3/8 inch open end wrench. Very few metal filings on magnet. Removed right magnetic fill plug. Added gear oil. 11 pumps = 4 oz. Very few metal filings on magenet. Tightened both plugs just barely tight so I can remove them easily.
Do this annually. It depends on how fast the oil is leaking. In my case the seal just weeps because it can't seal against the high level of gear oil. If the seal is visibly leaking a lot more then you will need to top up more often. The gear oil migrates from the right side to the left side. That is the main reason you need to top up the right side. The only reason you need to remove the left fill plug is to clean the magnet. Eventually you will figure out the schedule that works for you. I have lots of oil, I stocked up just before my TH expired.

 

[sanghill]

My RDM weeped ever since it was new. Jeep offered to replace the RDM under Warranty, I declined, was afraid they would mess something up. Just add gear oil and consider it routine maintenance. Enjoy your trip. There are more important things to worry about, I have done most of them. I don't know about AD1 weeping oil. It won't weep because of the oil level being too high, that can't happen with AD1.
When you look at the RDM aluminum case under the axle there is a little groove to guide the oil when it weeps. Guess they planned on it weeping.

 

[sanghill]

10k miles since last top up. The reason why so much oil drains from the left side is that when the oil migrates from the right side to the left side, it does not migrate back. So the left side gets overfilled, which is why the left axle seal weeps.

 

[sanghill]

I am testing it out currently and keeping thorough documentation. I am going to top it off again right before a 1500 mile trip and then check after the trip how much fluid is missing. I am hoping I can just get on the schedule to top off the fluid every 3000 miles. Although I am also concerned the seepage will get worse over time to the point I would need to add fluid like every 1000 miles.

That would be me. Designed to leak. Just keep topping up and clean the fill plug magnets. I have a lifetime supply of RDM gear oil. Make me an offer I can't refuse.

 

[sanghill]

& you only have to fill the one on the right, because it seeps to the other side?

That is correct. When enough gear oil migrates to the left side there is no way the seal can NOT leak.