Shavingsl and muck on diff plug.

[SCOTTY088]

Went to change rear diff gear oil, pulled check plug. I found muck and metal shavings on the magnet. I don't want to waste $ 80 bucks worth of Amsoil 75-90. 2014 Ram 3500 Cummins 40k on the clock. I wouldn't think this should be normal. What would you do ?

 

[gtwitch]

Picture might help here!
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[16longhorn]

Is this the first time you've changed the fluid? If so, mine was they same way the first time I changed it.

 

[Newsa]

I found muck and tiny metal particles (so small they were barely visible). I wouldn't call them shavings.

It's from the break-in on the gear surfaces.
It's normal

I changed mine at 16k and 31k. I've changed mine twice. But now that I'm through the break in period, I will go 30-40,000 on a fluid change.

 

[SCOTTY088]

I purchased this tuck in June with 36k. I have been changing all filters and fluids and performing all maintenance tasks. Rear diff is the last task. All other fluids and filters were in fairly good shape. I have a awesome pic of the plug. I can't figure out how to post it.

 

[SCOTTY088]

I guess I did figure out how to post pics... L.O.L.

 

[Bob4x4]

normal for that many miles

 

[DonFitzwater]

I purchased this tuck in June with 36k. I have been changing all filters and fluids and performing all maintenance tasks. Rear diff is the last task. All other fluids and filters were in fairly good shape. I have a awesome pic of the plug. I can't figure out how to post it.

Looks normal.

 

[16longhorn]

normal. break in left overs.

 

[seafish]

Exactly what I find on mine every time I change the diff fluid.

 

[EDankievitch]

That's why Ram wants you to change the lube. The manufactures, in our case American Axle, of the gears saves money by not doing the final polish on them. They now rely on us driving to wear in and do the final polish of the gear teeth. That first lube change is super important to get the break in metals out.

 

[SCOTTY088]

Went out to the shop this morning Pulled the diff cover. Let it drain for about one and a half hour. I found it to be remarkably clean inside, aside from the muck and shavings on the plug. I cleaned around the sealing edge and the gasket. reinstalled the cover hand tightening the bolts with a 3/8 drive ratchet. and pumped in almost 4 qts. Amsoil 75/90 syn. Thank you all for your expert advice. Scotty

 

[Cummins12V98]

40K, was this the first fluid change? If so that's WAYYYYYY too long on OE fluid.

 

[SCOTTY088]

I purchased the truck in June with 36k. I don't know whether or not it had been serviced. I have gone over all the service steps laid out in the owners manual. Now I know what has been done and can move forward.

 

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO never exceed the recommendations with OE lube. Mine was over a few thousand and I did a Blackstone report and the fluid was TOAST.

Here is mine when I dumped the OE lube.

 

[SCOTTY088]

Mine was way cleaner than that, My only issue was the muck and metallic specks on the magnetic plug. Judging from the interior looks, It had been serviced prior. As I said I purchased my truck used in June with 36k. Now I know for a fact all service has been completed.

 

[gsbrockman]

The particles on the magnetic drain plug will be there every fluid change, more so if you tow heavy and less so if you are towing light or none at all.

 

[Newsa]

Went out to the shop this morning Pulled the diff cover. Let it drain for about one and a half hour. I found it to be remarkably clean inside, aside from the muck and shavings on the plug. I cleaned around the sealing edge and the gasket. reinstalled the cover hand tightening the bolts with a 3/8 drive ratchet. and pumped in almost 4 qts. Amsoil 75/90 syn. Thank you all for your expert advice. Scotty

My only c9mcern with the picture of your metal.plug was the larger shavings. Mine at 16,000 miles looked like GSBrockman's pics. With only very tiny particles, no larger "shavings". At 31,000 miles, many fewer particles. (Also much less towing.)

Now that I have done the service after break in, I don't feel the need to continue 15-16,000 mile differential service. I will probably now extend it to 30-40,000 mile service.