[rumrunner]

the outside of your case is an interesting color. must be from the geography?

 

[rumrunner]

Case? You mean the RDM case?

Yes! as Gary mentioned ours tend to get rusty at least mine is not the same as yours. or maybe I was just thinking of my fill plug

 

[rumrunner]

I Had no idea about availability, kept putting it off. What the hell is going on? Do I need to start Hording everything? Maybe filter the used oil to remove particulates ? What’s next , coolant.
Ughh

when I went looking for mine some dealers had it some dealers did not. don’t think it’s a high demand item

 

[rumrunner]

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

that sounds familiar. I think I remember calling 1 & they told me who else to call. which I did to confirm they had it before driving there. pretty common for retailers. I do it all the time at my PT job at the big box home improvement store

 

[rumrunner]

My 2018 Trailhawk just rolled 81,000, and I'm pretty sure it's on the original oil. So I think I'm going to do this sooner than later. But I'm confused as to what oil to order. Should I be ordering both oil types or is the hydraulic oil all i need for both sides? Checking mopars website, the 68227766AB hydraulic oil is a fitment for my Cherokee, but the 68227765AA(Gear Lubricant) is not.

for my "RDM" got this from a local dealer. they don't all have it in stock. had to call around

 

[rumrunner]

Dumb question:
What type and size of wrench do I need to get the drainplugs out of a RDM on a 2018 trailhawk?

Ordered some square male sockets, and I ran into a couple of problems. Too large, and... can't even get into the driver side bolt, cause everything's in the way. As I type this, I suddenly had the crazy idea to just shove a 3/8 ratchet into the hole and see if it would work.

Actually, that is the move

 

[rumrunner]

I was able to insert a 3/8 extension in it; however, it felt a little loose when inserted into the plug. I have not tried to remove the plug yet because I don't have the correct fluid yet. My main concern with using the extension is that the extension is a little loose inside the square hole of the plug and I am concerned that it will eventually strip the plug if I keep adding fluid periodically. Wouldn't it be better to use a proper tool such as a square head drain plug socket that fits more snugly?

originally I couldn't get it off myself

my mechanic, with the car on a lift, who hand good leverage, was able to use the 3/8 extension w/ just 1 little grunt. then he only snugged it up. when I topped mine off, in my parking space, when I put it back on, I added a trace of anti seize. haven't tried it again since last September, so I'm due to check the level soon. I'm not expecting a struggle

 

[rumrunner]

Do you mind posting an update once you check the level? I am curious how much has leaked out.

Ok sure thing

 

[rumrunner]

Oh wow I just realized you have a 2014 Sport? How many miles do you have on it and what work/maintenance you have had done on it?

fwiw - I added to another thread. some comments & photos may be of interest to you & not just from me

mine kinda start w/ #88 here
4wd system temporarily unavailable

for example

 

[rumrunner]

Oh wow I just realized you have a 2014 Sport? How many miles do you have on it and what work/maintenance you have had done on it?

still working on my 1st cup of coffee, let's see what foggy brain can remember

since my Dad fell & eventually passed a way 2 years ago I've driven about 80k miles to my parents house, now my Mother's house. all that driving finished off Cherokee #1 (also a 2014) w/ 204k miles, it was a limited. got Cherokee #2 last April w/ 24k & now it's up to either 60k or 70k. sorry can't remember, it's such a moving target

so on the sport I've done tires, topped my RDM oil, changed spark plugs & ignition coils. I had 1 coil fail on one of my road trips. the guys here helped me diagnose & fix it roadside w/ the help of an auto parts store. you picked a good forum!

 

[rumrunner]

Oh wow I just realized you have a 2014 Sport? How many miles do you have on it and what work/maintenance you have had done on it?

67K miles ... & counting ... ;-)

 

[rumrunner]

You make me laugh! 🤣 or I could just be extra unsafe and jack up the rear while the front is on low profile ramps! lol!

go on crawl on under

 

[rumrunner]

Were you not able to drive it at all with that one failed coil?

1. You mentioned changing spark plugs and ignition coils on your Sport, but I noticed the maintenance schedule says to change spark plugs at 100k miles? So is it better to change them way sooner than 100k miles and also change coils at the same time?

2. Have you had any trouble with he shifter? I heard some people get a "Service Shifter" warning on their dash and they end up having to replace the shifter bezel and wiring which seems to be easy to do for a DIY'er. I am curious if I should order these (bezel and wiring) because it will soon happen to my Cherokee. Again, I only have 39,000 miles on mine.

do not fear all possible negative thoughts. work the problems as they arise
keep you ears & eyes open
get to know your machine, so you can recognize something amiss
if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

it was drivable but just barely. you can read the roadside repair issue, as-it-happened ... here
Darnit on the side of the road

I think I posted a link earlier in this thread toward "4wd temporarily unavailable" turned out to be the battery, but I topped off my RDM anyway

 

[rumrunner]

@Gary Kline copious amounts of anti-seize

 

[rumrunner]

I'm the KING of anti-seize!!!

 

[rumrunner]

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.

ha! reminds me of an exterior window sill

 

[rumrunner]

I think we AD1s have a right (passenger) side, but no left (driver) side

 

[rumrunner]

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

 

[rumrunner]

Number 2 Correct? That's going by the attachment above 237604.

yeah that's what I was saying. but don't trust me yet, wait for confirmation, I could have it backwards