[erikrj]

Hmmm, in that posting, it looks like a sticker saying "SAE 70W-80" was put on the bottle. There are other photos on eBay of the same bottle without the sticker and there's no mention of GL-5 or 70W-80. Just be sure that's the genuine rating.

You are totally right, that sticker seems very suspicious 😕

 

[Gary Kline]

You are totally right, that sticker seems very suspicious 😕

Some dude is bottling left over McDonalds cooking oil

 

[M_Outdoors]

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.

 

[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

 

[Gary Kline]

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.

Yes, 3/8 ratchet end

 

[Gary Kline]

Note, on some Cherokee's it's a tight fit so you may need either a swivel or a wobble extension.

Alternately, you can head to Harbor Freight and pickup their $5 Socket Cap set. This allow you to use a regular wrench with the 3/8" socket cap inserted into the fill plug hole.

 

[M_Outdoors]

Thanks fella's!

 

[Okinawa Diver]

I have a 2017 Cherokee Latitude 4WD 2.4L with only 39,000 miles and just noticed seepage from the rear-left axle seal. I want to add gear oil to the RDM but I have never seen a square fill plug like that and I am not sure what tool to use. Looking at different options online, it looks like I need to buy a square head drain plug socket but I don't know the size. Would that be a 9mm square head drain plug socket? I understand some managed to remove the plug using a simple 3/8 ratchet but I want to try to avoid stripping the plug.

 

[Gary Kline]

I have a 2017 Cherokee Latitude 4WD 2.4L with only 39,000 miles and just noticed seepage from the rear-left axle seal. I want to add gear oil to the RDM but I have never seen a square fill plug like that and I am not sure what tool to use. Looking at different options online, it looks like I need to buy a square head drain plug socket but I don't know the size. Would that be a 9mm square head drain plug socket? I understand some managed to remove the plug using a simple 3/8 ratchet but I want to try to avoid stripping the plug.

Hi @Okinawa Diver,

Do you have an AD1 (single speed) or AD2 (also a "Low" mode) Cherokee? If AD1, there's one fill plug. If AD2, there are two. Both are on the back surface of the RDM (closest to/facing the muffler).

You just need a normal 3/8" socket driver (with square end). It's the actual 3/8" size. Above, you'll see in my post Harbor Freight also sells a socket/hex head adapter set as well as you may need a swivel/wobble 3/8" as there's limited space (and depending on what 3/8" extensions you do/do not have, it's may be a tight fit). But first try with whatever 3/8" socket/extension you have and see if you can get it securely enough in the hole to loosen. The plug just unscrews. Once you've done it once, getting it off in the future is easy.

BTW, the left (drivers) side "weep" happens a lot. Choices are either replace the seal or periodically top off the oil (myst use Mopar 70W-80 available at your Jeep dealer)

 

[Okinawa Diver]

Hi @Okinawa Diver,

Do you have an AD1 (single speed) or AD2 (also a "Low" mode) Cherokee? If AD1, there's one fill plug. If AD2, there are two. Both are on the back surface of the RDM (closest to/facing the muffler).

You just need a normal 3/8" socket driver (with square end). It's the actual 3/8" size. Above, you'll see in my post Harbor Freight also sells a socket/hex head adapter set as well as you may need a swivel/wobble 3/8" as there's limited space (and depending on what 3/8" extensions you do/do not have, it's may be a tight fit). But first try with whatever 3/8" socket/extension you have and see if you can get it securely enough in the hole to loosen. The plug just unscrews. Once you've done it once, getting it off in the future is easy.

BTW, the left (drivers) side "weep" happens a lot. Choices are either replace the seal or periodically top off the oil (myst use Mopar 70W-80 available at your Jeep dealer)

View attachment 234308

I appreciate your response. Thank you so much! I am not sure if mine is AD1 or AD2. Please see attached picture of the dial next to the shifter. I believe I only have one plug and 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? I suspect the correct size of the square head drain plug socket should be 10 mm but I wanted to find out for sure from the people on this forum. A 3/8 inch extension when converted to millimeters is 9.525 millimeters and so if 9.525mm is a little loose, then 10mm should be perfect?

Also, can you please confirm this is the correct fluid: MOPAR 68227765AB?

 

[Flybynightcru]

I appreciate your response. Thank you so much! I am not sure if mine is AD1 or AD2. Please see attached picture of the dial next to the shifter. I believe I only have one plug and 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? I suspect the correct size of the square head drain plug socket should be 10 mm but I wanted to find out for sure from the people on this forum. A 3/8 inch extension when converted to millimeters is 9.525 millimeters and so if 9.525mm is a little loose, then 10mm should be perfect?

Also, can you please confirm this is the correct fluid: MOPAR 68227765AB?
View attachment 234313

You have ADI, which is the single speed RDM. Yes, that is the correct, and only fluid you want to use. ADII is the 2 speed RDM, on Cherokees with 4Low. This is a Trailhawk, with 4Low and rear locker, plus crawl control and hill descent modes...😁😉😎

 

[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

 

[Okinawa Diver]

You have ADI, which is the single speed RDM. Yes, that is the correct, and only fluid you want to use. ADII is the 2 speed RDM, on Cherokees with 4Low. This is a Trailhawk, with 4Low and rear locker, plus crawl control and hill descent modes...😁😉😎

View attachment 234315

Thank you! What's interesting is my dad has a 2017 Cherokee Latitude AD2 and I just examined his rear axles and they are bone dry and not leaking at all. His vehicle is the same year as mine and has twice the miles. Mine was manufactured in September 2016 although it's a 2017 model. It's possible that his was manufactured way later.

 

[Okinawa Diver]

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 summer, so I'm due to check the level soon. I'm not expecting a struggle

Do you mind posting an update once you check the level? I am curious how much has leaked out. Just ordered me a Koken square bit 10mm socket to see if I can use it to unscrew the plug. It was $12.50. I am still hesitant to use a 3/8 extension.

 

[rumrunner]

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

Ok sure thing

 

[Okinawa Diver]

Ok sure thing

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?

 

[Gary Kline]

Do you mind posting an update once you check the level? I am curious how much has leaked out. Just ordered me a Koken square bit 10mm socket to see if I can use it to unscrew the plug. It was $12.50. I am still hesitant to use a 3/8 extension.

10mm may be ok but again, the slot absolutely is made for 3/8" (hence it's square the same as the socket. It's a 3/8" in the photo below). Note, you may have debris/rust in the square that's just making it feel tight. If you have a wire brush or something similar, take out any debris in the hole. This plug is pretty wide and thick. Even using a breaker bar, you won't damage it. Good luck.

 

[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!

 

[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.