Rear Locker Failure Update

[Zimm]

"Wedment" is perhaps a typo for "weldment"?

I've no idea what a "wedment" is but I know what a "weldment" is.

perhapse. work on it some more, and i'll let ya know.

 

[holdmybeer]

Oh wow, I only *just* read this @Mountain4x4 ... I have not logged in for a while but I just did to report my latest failure:

Thread '"Drivetrain error" and truck is out of commission'

Sunday at 10:33 PM

Hi. I haven't been on the forum for months. Having too much fun in the Grenadier, partly. But lately the truck has been ... misbehaving. Thought I'd share this latest event, in case it rings a bell with anyone else's situation.

Since the truck's first service at around 17,000 km, I've experience a handful of times when it feels/sounds like a diff may be locking when the truck is cold around the first few 90 degree turns. Tire chirp/skid. Likely the rear diff? Maybe centre or transfer case. It was reported and went back in for investigation but dealer couldn't replicate. Diff and fluid...

• holdmybeer
• back dealer error tow
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Transmission, Transfer Case & Axles

• 
• 

And it sounds a LOT like your situation. Thank you for sharing that. This is exactly why I logged in today, looking for clues, and I posted my experience before reading yours!

Back from the dealer last night, new rear diff installed. Still no technical conclusions other then a mechanical failure. However, after the dealership had the first road lock they were able to repeat it consistently, so the problem would have grown worse. A few thoughts;

1. Be sure to know the warning signs as this could be dangerous. Extremely long delays getting the rear locker out. Say 10 minutes or more off road, rolling backwards, taking it out of center lock does not seem to get it done. And and chirp of tires on road especially with dash lights on a turn.
2. yes, its rare. HOWEVER, 2 more have cropped up since mine in October. 1 other in Colorado and 1 in Illinois. So while not wide spread yet, we now have 3.
3. Cost according to dealer to replace complete rear end 14,780.00. However parts are available to fix the mechanism, but the dealers have no technical direction yet and Ineos needs to understand the problem.
4. Initially only a little metal in diff, but dealer did another diff fluid change while diagnosing and the fluid became dirty right away. So again, verifies a bigger issue was coming.
5. Diff came from Belgium, total time from diagnosis, claim approval and fix about 6 weeks.

Currently this is a rare occurrence and we have no idea where it will go. So just be aware. If it becomes widespread it will have to be a safety recall like the drive shaft issue will have to be.

 

[Mountain4x4]

Its a tough one. SUPER dangerous potential, but intermittent makes it hard to diagnose. Same thing happened when I took mine in, but they kept driving it and it happened. I think there are less reports of this failure because its starts out as so innocuous. The problem is, it eventually gets worse and more consistent.

 

[agcheck]

In other applications with locking differentials, I have found the quality of gear oil to be a major factor in how well the locking diff operates. I've just changed all the gear oil in my Grenadier (both diffs and tbox) to high grade Motul Gear 300 75W90. The factory fill and spec is basic Dino oil. This stuff is much "slipperier" and more stable to degradation.

 

[Mountain4x4]

That was what Ineos has been throwing at us. I think they have even asked for proof of oil changes. However, I don't buy it. The first time I changed the diff fluid it was clean. 2K miles later it was roasted from locker failure. In my Power Wagon I usually do every 100K - 125K...and it has a LSD. Granted the last generation would not lock the front at all due to Nannies, lol. The mileages are too small to be oil related.

 

[Roach]

In other applications with locking differentials, I have found the quality of gear oil to be a major factor in how well the locking diff operates. I've just changed all the gear oil in my Grenadier (both diffs and tbox) to high grade Motul Gear 300 75W90. The factory fill and spec is basic Dino oil. This stuff is much "slipperier" and more stable to degradation.

Curious…as crazy as it might seem, is that an argument to turn down a warrant claim?

 

[Zimm]

That was what Ineos has been throwing at us. I think they have even asked for proof of oil changes. However, I don't buy it. The first time I changed the diff fluid it was clean. 2K miles later it was roasted from locker failure. In my Power Wagon I usually do every 100K - 125K...and it has a LSD. Granted the last generation would not lock the front at all due to Nannies, lol. The mileages are too small to be oil related.

They definitely wanted mine. I sincerely recommend having that done on time at a dealer.

 

[Mountain4x4]

Being that we know the lockers may be an evolving issue, I would advise changing the fluid at the dealer as scheduled until we see where this is going. Eventually this should be a pretty easy swap of internals. If only the front drive shaft issue was so easy.