Front and rear differential covers and fluid recommendations

[mgr1001]

Hi Y'all

I'm new to this forum, so please forgive any mistakes.

I have a 2016 Ram 3500 SRW FWD Laramie which I use to tow a fifth wheel (GVWR 16,500 lbs). I also have the Aisin transmission upgrade. So far, everything is bone stock.

Getting ready to service my drive-train and was looking for some recommendations/experience in this area.

First off, I am considering replacing both differential covers with some aftermarket ones that will allow for easier service in the future (drain plugs which Ram conveniently left out). How can I determine which differentials I have so I can get the correct covers for my axles? I don't care about "fancy", just functionality.

Also, was wondering what I might find when I pull the covers off, gaskets or RTV? Is one really better than the other? Not knowing any better, my inclination is to go with RTV since I don't plan on cracking the pumpkins open much afterwards.

Also, hoping to hear experiences you guys have had with various differential fluid brands and viscosity? Again, from the little bit of online research I've done, it looks like Amsoil 75w-140 might be one of the better choices for my situation.

All advice and recommendations seriously welcome.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Mag Hytec. Excellent covers. They have good lube also.

 

[6V92TA]

you know, with a properly sized drill bit and a pipe thread tap, you could install your own drain plug in the differential housing and save your money for something more important

 

[Cummins12V98]

you know, with a properly sized drill bit and a pipe thread tap, you could install your own drain plug in the differential housing and save your money for something more important

Why would you not want to keep an eye on your axle innards??? With the re usable gaskets it's a quick job!

 

[Cummins12V98]

mgr1001 please fill in your public signature so we all can better assist you and you don't have to spell out every post what you are talking about.

AMZ/OIL 75-110 SevereGear is what you want to use when towing heavy and or frequently. Just look on the AMZ/OIL users guide!

 

[Newsa]

Why would you not want to keep an eye on your axle innards??? With the re usable gaskets it's a quick job!

And why wouldn't you want a sight glass????
because some of these axle seals weep.

I have the cheaper AFE Power diff cover.

But I would recommend the Mag Hytec. I took the cheaper route and it works for me. But the Mag Hytec is the better cover.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"And why wouldn't you want a sight glass????" I don't think I said that.

I have one on my 98 that my Son owns without the site glass. My 11 HO Dually had one on it with the sight glass til I traded it at 65K on current truck. I prefer to remove the cover to keep an eye on the gears and it's a no brainer with the OE gasket. I do have the finned cover.

My cover from the 11 is setting on my shelf since I was told it would not work on my 15 with 4.10's and rear air ride. Not sure why that is. If it would fit my 15 I would put it on but I would still be removing it to keep an eye on the gears.

You will easily see if the gasket is leaking.

 

[seafish]

you know, with a properly sized drill bit and a pipe thread tap, you could install your own drain plug in the differential housing and save your money for something more important

I did this on my 2005 before I could afford the MagHytec covers. I drilled and tapped a 1/8 IP thread into the diff housings the first time I did the factory required lube. Then I used Harley Davidson Part #739A, which is their primary case oil plug with a magnetic tip to plug the hole. It works GREAT, but I finally decided that I also wanted to be able to check fluid level and condition in between changes, so I went with the MH covers, which are ALSO great.

 

[seafish]

Why would you not want to keep an eye on your axle innards??? With the re usable gaskets it's a quick job!

You can still keep an eye on your diff gears by removing the cover anyway once the diff is drained.
But being able to drain the fluid without pulling the cover is certainly more convenient and less messy with a drain plug.
Also, with a magnetic dipstick like the MH covers have, it also means that you can at least get an idea of fluid level, as well as fluid and gear condition in between changes.

 

[6V92TA]

Why would you not want to keep an eye on your axle innards??? With the re usable gaskets it's a quick job!

I don't have a problem with taking the cover off and re using the gasket as I have already done, but short of using a dial indicator what would there be to see anyway. but fact of the matter is the original post remarked about the lack of a drain plug and I was simply pointing out how easy putting a drain plug would be in a cast iron differential case would be, if the end user desired one... since the end would have to take the cover off in order to do the initial drain and drill and tap it anyway, cleanup of those metal shavings wouldn't amount to a giant problem at that point, would it.? sounds like something for a magnet and a rag.

 

[6V92TA]

I did this on my 2005 before I could afford the MagHytec covers. I drilled and tapped a 1/8 IP thread into the diff housings the first time I did the factory required lube. Then I used Harley Davidson Part #739A, which is their primary case oil plug with a magnetic tip to plug the hole. It works GREAT, but I finally decided that I also wanted to be able to check fluid level and condition in between changes, so I went with the MH covers, which are ALSO great.

you know, for about 100 years now people checked the fluid level in the diff by removing the fill plug and sticking there finger in there. LOL . fact of the matter is unless the axle housing shows signs of a leak, there really isn't much need to do much but check the level when you service the truck

 

[Newsa]

you know, for about 100 years now people checked the fluid level in the diff by removing the fill plug and sticking there finger in there. LOL . fact of the matter is unless the axle housing shows signs of a leak, there really isn't much need to do much but check the level when you service the truck

You are the first guy I ever had a chance to converse with who can tell how fast a visible leak is leaking.

Once I thought I had a "slow leak" in a manual transmission Hyundai Excel. But accidentally let it run dry and failed on me

My sight glass is peace of mind.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Never had an issue removing a diff cover and making a mess.

I liked my MagHytecs with or without the site glass mostly because of the extra capacity.

 

[Larry Willard]

"My cover from the 11 is setting on my shelf since I was told it would not work on my 15 with 4.10's and rear air ride. Not sure why that is. If it would fit my 15 I would put it on but I would still be removing it to keep an eye on the gears."

I don't know why they say that either, but I have had the one off my '08 on the '13 for 70000 miles now with no problems.
Larry

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

I've towed a 18,000 lb 5th wheel for dang near 30,000 miles, and I've been using the 75/90 Valvoline synthetic gear oil. Trucks got 64,000 miles on it now, and when I pull covers it all looks good inside. I usually always go with what the manufacturer recommends. Back during the last Ice Age I was a Dodge tech, and did mostly all the Diesel work until 1999, so I've been down this road a few times.
The OE differential gaskets are awesome, and I've re-used them 4 times without a single leak. I might get some new ones next service though. My luck ain't that good.
Another thing I will add, is that with the stock OE gear oil that came in the rear end wasn't that great and chattered when turning tight and slow. This Valvoline stuff never has. The main reason I use this stuff, is that I can find a Napa anywhere I travel, and they always stock it along with the 75/140.
This is just how I maintain my truck, and for me it works. If you feel you need heavier oil, go for it. I'm not here to judge, just sharing what works for me.

On a side note my Honda Pioneer 1000 calls for 75/90 gear oil in both diffs as well, and I use the same Valvoline synthetic gear oil. Other folks on that Honda forum like to use the 75/140 to help quiet the gear noise down, and claim it works for them. I work my SXS pretty hard, and so far the manufactures recommendations works like it supposed to.

73

 

[6V92TA]

You are the first guy I ever had a chance to converse with who can tell how fast a visible leak is leaking.

Once I thought I had a "slow leak" in a manual transmission Hyundai Excel. But accidentally let it run dry and failed on me

My sight glass is peace of mind.

since it was a hyundai, it running out of oil did you a favor. I'm a pretty good judge of how bad something is leaking, but that comes from 40 years of letting things develop in a fleet atmosphere and deciding if we needed to fix it or just let it develop. LOL

 

[TCDiesel]

PML sells the cover I use, I like the fact it fills form the Top, when it starts to reach the Level Hole, I screw the Plug Back in and Give it 10 More Pumps, Been doing this for Decades Never a Leak or problem Form Minor overfilling. the factory Level IMO is just that , the minimum level, If you check the level hole and tubes its 1/4 to 5/16 above the tubes.. if your filling it would require waiting for the tubes to fill.

 

[NIsaacs]

and deciding if we needed to fix it or just let it develop. LOL

Yup I agree Back in the day when I had a small fleet of log trucks, the weekend was for repairs/maintenance. I always had a list in my head of things I had to fix, things I should fix and things I could let go.

Nick

 

[Newsa]

Yup I agree Back in the day when I had a small fleet of log trucks, the weekend was for repairs/maintenance. I always had a list in my head of things I had to fix, things I should fix and things I could let go.

Nick

That's why I like the sight glass and don't want the inefficiency in my maintenance routine that has existed for 100 or so years.
I don't have to remove the plug.... check fluid level, and find a torque wrench to put it back in. In fact, don't need a tool at all! I can check it without digging around for tools.

My differential used to get hot enough to fry an egg on. Now it runs cooler with the extra fluid capacity and surface area.

 

[TCDiesel]

No rear cover will make your diff run cooler.. More fake info..its this simple... unless you install a plate and Fin cooler your diff will run the same temp. The only change you will see is the additional lube will TAKE LONGER to heat. So Guess you could make claims of running cooler for a time That's it. All My Big trucks form 2500 Up All have Rear diff temp sensor . The pictures are Trutrac.. If you look you will see the lead wire for the sensor.

The finned cover maybe will run 10-20F lower for longer periods of time but the Lube will reach MAX temp vs use and load.

The plate and fin cooler was installed on My twin turbo setup. I have live gages for all the fake EVIC readings OIL PSI / Oil Temps Etc. Some of the readings are correct.. The 5.9 / 6.7 / 3.0 PSI form the EVIC are false. they all have a switch that will trigger CEL at 10 PSI, at that PSI your wallet is already suck up or running away for its life. I will try and find a picture of the diff gage