2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler Rear Axle Noise TSB 03-005-24 REV. A

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler vehicles may notice a distinct sound originating from the rear axle. The primary symptom described by Stellantis in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 03-005-24 REV. A is: "Intermittent grinding, screeching, ratcheting noise coming from the right hand side of vehicle on the rear axle."

Cause

The root cause of the "Jeep Wrangler rear axle noise" is identified as a lack of lubrication between the axle shaft and hub splines. This deficiency can lead to fretting or corrosion on these critical components. Over time, this condition manifests as the audible grinding, screeching, or ratcheting sounds reported by vehicle owners.

Repair Procedure Summary

Technical Service Bulletin 03-005-24 REV. A outlines a specific procedure to address the "Jeep Wrangler rear axle noise" by thoroughly cleaning and lubricating the axle shaft and hub splines. This process ensures proper function and eliminates the noise.

1. Disassembly: Technicians will begin by carefully removing the brake caliper, rotor, wheel speed sensor, and parking brake cable. Following this, the four hub nuts are removed and explicitly marked to "DISCARD the four hub nuts". A pry bar is then used to extract the hub assembly from the tube.
2. Inspection and Cleaning: The axle shaft, hub, and bearing assembly are removed from the vehicle. The O-ring is inspected for any signs of damage and replaced if necessary. The axle shaft is then separated from the hub. Both the shaft splines and hub splines are meticulously cleaned using brake cleaner and a wire brush to remove any fretting or corrosion. It is crucial that "After cleaning the interface use forced air to remove any remaining debris on interface" to prepare the surfaces for lubrication.
3. Lubrication: Mopar® Wheel Bearing Grease (Part No. 05083150AA) is applied generously to both the hub splines and axle shaft splines, ensuring complete and even coverage. Additionally, the inside diameter of the tube flange is lubricated with 75-85W sump lube. This lubrication aids in O-ring guidance during the reassembly process.
4. Reassembly: The axle shaft is reinstalled into the hub by hand until it bottoms out, with a note that "Air may purge through the shaft splines at any time throughout the shaft installation process." The axle shaft, hub, bearing assembly, and backing plate are then installed, ensuring precise alignment of the wheel speed sensor hole. Four "NEW hub nuts" (Part No. 68003275AA) are installed. Finally, the parking brake cable, wheel speed sensor, brake caliper, and rotor are reconnected, completing the repair.

Required Parts

To perform the repair outlined in Technical Service Bulletin 03-005-24 REV. A, the following parts are specified:

• 05083150AA: Mopar® Wheel Bearing Grease (supplied as 1/100 of a 14.5 ounce cartridge)
• 68003275AA: Hex Flange Lock Nut (four required, used for the tube flange to hub unit nut)
• 68651258AA: O-Ring (one required, for the wheel hub bearing, to be replaced if found damaged during inspection)

Important Warnings

Several critical instructions are highlighted in TSB 03-005-24 REV. A to ensure a successful and lasting repair:

• The TSB explicitly states to "DISCARD the four hub nuts" that are removed during the disassembly process. New hub nuts must be used during reassembly to ensure proper fastening.
• Technicians are instructed to "Inspect the O-ring for damage and replace if needed." This step is crucial to prevent potential leaks or further issues if the existing O-ring is compromised.
• After cleaning the splines, it is critical to "use forced air to remove any remaining debris on interface" to ensure the surfaces are perfectly clean for optimal lubrication and fit.

Owner Action

If your 2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler is exhibiting "Intermittent grinding, screeching, ratcheting noise coming from the right hand side of vehicle on the rear axle," it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your authorized Jeep dealer. When you visit, reference Technical Service Bulletin 03-005-24 REV. A. This repair, which addresses the Jeep Wrangler rear axle noise, is reimbursable under the provisions of your vehicle's warranty. The estimated labor time for this procedure is 0.6 hours.

NHTSA ID: 11005000