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I just purchased a 2004 Jeep Liberty 3.7L Limited 4×4 with 109,500 miles. I noticed when accelerating from a complete stop with the front wheels turned to go around a corner I get a slight shutter and vibration from the rear of the vehicle. I don’t feel it is the transmission doing it because you can accelerate hard or lightly with wheels straitht from a stop and it doesn’t do it. Also if I and costing slow in a parking space and turning the wheels I gets a low pitched squeaking or running sound from the rear end. I have check the rear diff fluid and it is at the right level, but I’m sure if can use a change. The pinion seal is damp but not tripping. Also when I tugged in the axle at the U-joint it felt tight.
The transmission fluid is clean and fresh. It looks like it was recently rebuilt due to the clean bell housing and clean fluid. The transfer case fluid also it topped off and clean.
For all I know the vibration could be normal for this type of rear end. I’ve never owned a Jeep before only GM.
Thanks for reading my post!
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All you can really do is service the rear differential with the right fluids.
Hopefully that’s all it will need.
Make sure you check the owner’s manual for the fluid types.Thanks! I did some research and found that my issue will be caused by incorrect gear oil in the rear differential that doesn’t contain the limited slip additive. I see Advance Auto Parts sell 75-90 Mobile One LS oil. Do I still need to purchase and add this LS additive and how much do I put in if yes? I am getting mixed information. Two mechanics said I don’t have to put the additive in with this fluid.
The owner’s manual says to use SAE 75W-140 unless it’s an 8.25 rear.
Here’s your 2004 Jeep Liberty Owner’s Manual if you don’t already have a copy of it:
https://www.jeep.com/download/pdf/manuals/2004_KJ_Liberty.pdf“]Mopart SAE 75W-140 (API GL5) Synthetic Gear Lubricant or equivalent.
The 8.25 Corporate Rear Axle should use a SAE 75W-90 Gear Lubricant.
For trailer towing, the lubricant should be replaced with SAE 75W-140
Synthetic Gear Lubricant. Models equipped with Trac-Lok™ require a friction
modifier additive[/b].”The “LS” on the name of the Mobil 1 means it has the additive already
(LS = limited slip) .
Quoting Mobil’s product description.”It contains special friction modifiers designed for limited slip-type differentials. In most applications, the addition of special LS (limited slip) additives is not required. For axles requiring the highest level of limited-slip performance, OEM specific LS additives can be added to this fluid.”
There is no harm in using 75-140 even if you have the 8.25 .
The 75-90 versus 75-140 means the 75-140 lubricates as well as a heavier oil at higher temperaturesThe friction modifier additive allows for some slip of the diff. clutch discs.
Many people simply use the synthetic with the LS already in it and if there’s any chatter/shudder while turning, they add 1 ounce at a time of friction modifier to the rear until the noise disappears.You don’t want an excess of the friction modifier.
This thread shows both the ” open ” and the ” Trac-Lok “differentials and even shows the 8.25
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/trac-lok-axle-gear-oil-transfer-case-oil-1137041/If you’re curious to know exactly what your Jeep Liberty is equipped with, you can contact Jeep and they will send you a copy of the build sheet.
A kind counterperson at a Jeep dealership can provide you with a printout of the build sheet, too.One thing I’d be sure to do is check for any recalls (such as the Takata Airbag Recall), while it’s still easy to look them up online:
https://www.mopar.com/jeep/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.htmlI changed rear wheel seals and put 75 90 mobile one LS with friction additive in it and the shudder is gone when accelerating with wheel turned. Previous owner must have had wrong fluid. Thanks everyone
Glad it’s resolved.
The shudder may have just been from fluid in which the additives wore out.
There’s a recommended service interval in the owner’s manual.
If you tow at all, be sure to use the 75-140 to protect the clutches.The pinion seal is leaking. I’m afraid to change that due to horror stories of people not setting he load right and ruining their rear end. The yoke and entire front of the rear diff was covered in gear oil. Not dripping, just wet with dirt stuck to it. It also splattered up on to the floor board. After replacing the rear wheel seals that where also leaking and installing new gasket with gasket maker on diff cover and putting in new fluid I used engine degreaser to clean the entire diff, floor board and around the yoke. I power washed it and drive about 50 miles tonight to test everything out. Only sall a few specks of gear oil around the yoke.
Do you think I should just keep and eye on it and the fluid level and just drive it or replace the pinion seal? For all I know it may have taken years of driving for it to get as wet as it was. I’m thinking too the universal joint maybe starting to go bad and possible the vibration of the yoke is causing the fluid to sneak out when driving past the seal. U-joints are cheep enough for it and I’ve done them before on a Chevy so I should be able to handle this at least.
Also engaging into reverse and drive takes 2-3 second. I’m not familiar with Jeep Chrysler transmissions. Is that normal? The fluid looks brand new and smells good. Perfect level. I’m thinking it was rebuilt due to how clean the tranny is compared to the motor and it shifts great down the road.
Thanks again!
I’d be inclined to watch it and see how badly it leaks.
As for the delayed engagement, there is a fix.
See this TSB
http://www.xkjeeps.com/TSB/tsb_xk_2101505.pdf
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