HELP, Mechanic problem with rear end?!

[taxman9]

Hello, I was a victim of a hit and run and the back passenger side of my 96 Jeep GC was crashed in. My insurance is not covering this since I do not have comprehensive coverage, the body work alone was 2100 dollars and I had to have a new axle put on the rear, another 500 dollars. I got my car back friday and today (monday) is the first time driving it for an extended amount of time (25 miles). About half way to work the back end of my car started to fill up with smoke, I pulled over and noticed the smoke was coming from the rear gearbox and it looked like the gasket was melting off as well. Im not sure if the mechanic shop will take responsibility for this since it is 3 days later. Does anyone know what is done when the axle is replaced and what could cause the rear end to smoke like that? Im looking to see if I can find something that might not have been done so they can take responsibility, I had no problems with this Jeep until the accident? THANKS!

[JDPascal]

Possibly the used axle was drained of oil at some time and your mechanic "forgot" to check and fill it.

Bad news!!!!!!!!

There should be a warrenty of the work and parts from the shop that did the work.

JD

[taxman9]

JDPascal thanks for the response, I was told that a new axle was being put on, so Im not sure if they used a 'used' axle that may have been drained, is there anyway to visually see if a new axle was infact installed? Is the axle inside the rearend or is it the entire rearend besides the gears considered the axle? THANKS AGAIN!

[Cam7]

I agree with JD sounds like no oil in the Diff. Did they replace just a Axle shaft or did they put in a new Diff?

[taxman9]

The replaced the rear drivers side axle only, I had them tow it back down to the shop and they said that it was fine and nothing was wrong. All they did was drive it around the block, I had them take it out onto the highway in 4 wheel and it seemed to be working ok, I think the problem is when you try to switch from 4 wheel to 2 wheel, the front two wheels dont fully disengage. I could still smell the burning gear oil from the rearend. Their response was its normal for the first 50 miles, that theres a breather that lets out the excess. Still seems funny to me that there was no roblem and they changed one axle and now the 4 wheel drive isnt functioning right, does the axle or installation have any affect on the 4x4 or the changing between 4 and 2 wheel?

[JDPascal]

That rear axle should have a rubber plug for the fill/level check hole. You can see it from under the back of the vehicle.

I would check it myself if I were you. Park on a level surface and slide under from the rear. Pry the plug out and put in your finger to the first joint even with the edge of the hole. You should have oil on your finger to the top of your nail. Lower than that will need a top up and if it is higher than that or running out it is over filled.

The purpose of the breather is not to let out excess oil, it is to prevent pressure from building inside the housing and forcing oil past the pinion seal or axle seals.

The axle change should have no effect on shifting between 2wd and 4wd.

The appearance of "melting the gasket" is probably just the RTV silicone they used to seal the cover.

The apparent heat you describe is troubling though.

Let us know what you find when you check the oil level.

JD

[JDPascal]

Originally Posted by taxman9

JDPascal thanks for the response, I was told that a new axle was being put on, so Im not sure if they used a 'used' axle that may have been drained, is there anyway to visually see if a new axle was infact installed? Is the axle inside the rearend or is it the entire rearend besides the gears considered the axle? THANKS AGAIN!

Sorry I didn't reply to this post before.

I understood from your reply that the rear axle assembly was replaced.

The "rear axle" is the total assembly that mounts under the back end of the vehicle. There are two axles in it (left and right). Inside the center section is the differential assembly, made up of the ring and pinion gears on the outside and the small differential gears onside the case.

If only the one axle was replaced, they still needed to drain the oil or at least lost some and should have topped it up.

The way to tell if a new or used axle was installed is to take the tire off that side. look at the wheel studs. You should still be able to tell if they are new or not.

JD

[taxman9]

I took the Jeep to a highly recommended place, turns out the previous shop did not use a 'new' axle, it was either the same one or a used one from the junk yard. Also I checked the inspection plug, it was cracked and the shop had tried glueing it back on. Also was told that the entire rearend is smoked and needs to be replaced. The shop cant tell for sure if the axle replacement caused the damage or not, they said that this model had many problems with the rearend to begin with. Anyone know of any reliable places to buy a new rearend below dealer/manufacturer costs?