[2.0T Cherokee]

I have a 2019 Jeep Cherokee 2.0T, just created 70,000 miles, the dealer states do not change gear or Tranmission fluid, “it’s life time they said”at the dealer ship. Any one changed

your fluids and at what year?

 

[rumrunner]

200k. never

 

[sanghill]

Never.

 

[rumrunner]

View attachment 222353

love this photo

 

[2.0T Cherokee]

200k. never

Holy moly, no issues?

 

[jcool001985]

Changed ptu and rdm fluids at 100k. RDM fluid was dirty with some fine metal slurry in it. Ptu fluid was not bad looking but was not easy to access. After using suction hose (no drain plug) basically pumped fresh fluid in to push out what remaining I could until it looked clearer. Rdm doesn't have a drain plug either but more working room to get a suction hose into it to pull fluid out. Transmission never touched since mine was replaced under warranty around 75k with a new trans. Though I will say fluid is lifetime of the warranty. If you want to hit 250k miles or more change them all around 150k max or sooner if you can.

 

[rumrunner]

Holy moly, no issues?

it’s a little weird sometimes but it’s kinda always been weird

 

[rumrunner]

I wonder if some maintenance would help prevent the PTU & RDM failures mentioned on the forums. I’m kinda looking forward to moving on to a newer unit in the near future. It’s been reliable but it would be fun to start fresh again

 

[sanghill]

Reference Post #6.
I am concerned about "some fine metal slurry it it". How thick were the filings on the magnet(s)?
My fear is the RDM is wearing excessively.
I have never removed oil from the RDM but I top it up once a year because the left axle seal weeps.
I wipe off the magnets so they never have a large amount filings.

 

[jcool001985]

Reference Post #6.
I am concerned about "some fine metal slurry it it". How thick were the filings on the magnet(s)?
My fear is the RDM is wearing excessively.
I have never removed oil from the RDM but I top it up once a year because the left axle seal weeps.
I wipe off the magnets so they never have a large amount filings.

It was similar to any rear diff that had not had the fluid changed often. Just that cloudy semi metallic look to it. It was not full of metal nor was the metal anything large or something you could pick out with your fingers. Ie no chunks or slivers etc. Though I did run a magnet pickup tool through it and it did get some metal sludge on it. I suspect most probably came from initial break in when the Jeep was new. Since we have no service interval for the rdm that would be when most would probably occur. I have not had any RDM issues and rolling up on 127k miles as we speak. Knock on wood hopefully changing the fluid helps keeping it happy and from grenading itself down the road. Its odd we have no service interval recommended since I know on the GC for the rear diff its like every 30-45k if you follow severe driving or go off-road. Different platforms but both have a rear diff with gears and parts to lubricate and where wear occurs.

 

[sanghill]

I think you should be ok. I considered sucking out the fluid but never figured out how to do it.
Couldn't get the tubing down inside.
Probably should check the fluid fairly regularly so you can clean the magnet(s).
If you have a TH you have 2 fill plugs. Maybe AD2 has 2 also?
I just stack 2 2X10X2ft boards and drive the rear wheels up onto them, then I don't have to jack up the TH and
it can't fall on me.

 

[Gary Kline]

I'm at 160k. I changed my RDM gear oil about 2 months ago. I'm really thinking to go to a shop to get the transaxle fluid and PTU gear oil changed out. (from the videos I've seen, they're much easier to do with the car on a lift, esp. the PTU)

 

[Flybynightcru]

it’s a little weird sometimes but it’s kinda always been weird

Apparently weird is the new cool...😳😎

 

[MaineHawk]

I just did a drain and fill of my transmission last week. It is 8 years old and has 53k miles, I bought it used in December. ZF has a recommendation to change at 8 years or 100k miles. The drain and fill replaces a little over half the fluid. Attached are a couple of pics of what came out. I have had several vehicles in the past that have improved with a fluid change and have taken them to 200k. 6 3/8 fluid is what moves this car. Typical recommendations for automatics is if you are well over 100k, its too late to change. I like seeing clean fluid.

 

[rumrunner]

Apparently weird is the new cool...😳😎

I'm a little weird, so I try to take it in stride. but I do need performance & reliability

 

[rumrunner]

8 years old and has 53k miles

wow where'd you find that?
there's a bare bones "sport" near me w/ 30k miles that just went down $1k in price

 

[MaineHawk]

wow where'd you find that?
there's a bare bones "sport" near me w/ 30k miles that just went down $1k in price

Actually, very close to you. Found it on Facebook marketplace in Haverhill, MA. It was a lucky find. $16.5k. Old couple didn't drive much. I have been catching up on missing maintenance, but oil was changed regularly. Hopefully it will last long so it can be my toad in a few years.

 

[sport_4x4]

The RDM has a clutch pack that allows partial engagement of the rear axle.
I think the particulate in the RDM fluid is probably particles shedding off of the clutch pack.
Some amount is normal I would think, but how much is a totally different matter...
It's supposed to be a lifetime fluid though, so changing it repeatedly might lead to the rear end not engaging kind of like an old transmission starting to slip after a fluid change.

 

[rumrunner]

Found it on Facebook marketplace

oh interesting my spouse looks on that I haven't ventured into that arena

 

[sanghill]

The clutch pack is a separate fluid reservoir from the gears.
The clutch pack uses an ATF type of fluid. The gear reservoir uses gear oil, the magnetic fill plugs are for this reservoir only.
The metal filings on the magnetic fill plug are from the gears, not the clutch pack.
The clutch pack is for the rear locker and is only used on the Trailhawk.