Folks,

Should I take the Jeep to the dealer? 2010 Sport, with 10,200 miles on the clock. I did not abuse my Jeep.

 

No. I would pull the covers, re seal them and change the oil in them. No reason to take it to the dealer, and u are due for a axle fluid change.
I'm sure there is a write up on here, but basically remove all these bolts, scrape old silicone off axle and cover, use brake cleaner to clean everything, and re apply NEW AXLE RTV to diff cover In a bead on inside sealing edge and circle all bolt holes. Bolt up and fill with gear oil.

Job done!

 

You have a couple of choices. It looks like you have a slow leak with your gasket. You can do nothing and you'd probably be fine. Or, you can get a gasket (or RTV), and some gear oil and replace it yourself.

If you are going to pay someone, I strongly suggest you don't go to the dealer. It will be expensive.

I'm not sure if Northridge sells lubelockers for a D30. If so, pick one up with some good gear oil and do it yourself. The lubelocker is a resusable gasket.

If you want to go further, you could get an aftermarket diff cover at the same time and do a 30 minute upgrade! Since you're at 10K miles already, chaning your fluid out isn't a bad thing.

This is an easy and fun upgrade!

 

Agreed!

The dealer is unlikely to do anything other than ask $200+ to do this same thing you can do for less than $50.

 

Unfortunately, routine service is not covered under the warranty. He could always try asking the dealer to fix it, but odds are pretty high they'd point out that he's close to needing it serviced, and last I checked my dealer wanted $199 an axle for a diff fluid change.

 

Wait a minute.... You're saying that a differential that's leaking fluid is normal wear and tear on a 2010 with 10k miles!? That's absurd! So maybe the fluid is to be changed every 12k, but it's not supposed to drain itself! Not on a vehicle that isn't even a year old. Dealer fix for sure. All I can say is raise hell!

 

 

I had an issue like that but with my brakes. Got my service done and the dealer came to me saying that my brakes needed service and rotors needed replaced. I raised all kinds of hell. Not because the pads needed replacing but there is no way that the rotors would be worn completely down in 32k miles. After a second inspection, magically, my rotors were fine and I just needed pads.

You can do almost anything yourself but if its covered, get them to take care of it.

Its a matter of principle. They are always trying to take us to the cleaners, if you get the chance to get one back....take it.

 

A while back I had my Jeep in at one of our local dealers, and they called me to tell me my Jeep was done. They also told me I was due for a diff fluid change, when I asked them how much it would be for them to do it they quoted me $199 an AXLE.

I couldn't help but literally laugh out loud at the service manager on the phone.

 

Take it to the dealer. You can do the repair yourself, but why pay the money for gear oil and RTV(not to mention your time) when the dealer will fix it for free? It WILL be covered under warranty as long as there is no evidence of any impact to the diff cover. My t-case had a slow leak just like this and they fixed it no questions asked. They should also give you a loaner if you ask for one. It might be an emerald green Compass like the one they gave me, but its better than nothing.