Changing gear lube AAM front and rear differentials

[Turbo Terry]

9.25 front and 12 rear. I have now have the Amsoil severe gear lube . How long should a take a Indy to do it? This is all new to me. Never hired these kind of things done before. Remember I did it myself. I would say 1 hour maybe 1.5 at most. What do you think?

 

[Ozymandias]

What is it good for to change the front axle oil? It is barely used because of the front axle disconnect.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would change it and never change it again unless you use 4wd a lot!

I changed my 15's front at 24k and has the same 75-90 SevereGear now at 93k. Have ZERO reason to change, not sure I ever will as I rarely use 4wd.

 

[Turbo Terry]

7 month of winter. Lots of four wheel drive here in Alaska

 

[Turbo Terry]

Also I think gear lube needs to be changed every 18 months or 36 k to keep the warranty so at 3 k then a couple times before max care runs out at 60 k about right. I did my old 99 Dana’s about every 40 k the grease always looked and smelled good but hauling 3 k plus on a Dana 70 and I never had any issues. It needs to be changed out I think it’s important

 

[lpennock]

I would think a shop should be able to do the change in 1hr or labor. The gasket is reusable so there isn't even time need to clean the old gasket off.

 

[AH64ID]

An hour seems appropriate for a shop. I think waiting until 10K miles is a little better for break-in on the gear and OEM fluid.

The front still gets some wear in 2wd since the disconnect doesn't keep the carrier from spinning.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Yes 10 k seems like a good idea but i will be on my trip somewhere in the lower 48 then.I’m most of 12 foot high when loaded so hard to just take it anywhere and get it in. Saw two Canadian geese and 4 swans yesterday. Some open water but more snow tomorrow. Spring has a hard time coming to Alaskan

 

[Alan Reagan]

A tech at the dealership here told me they suck it out instead of pulling the cover. They had to replace the differential internals on my truck under warranty because the lash wasn’t set correctly when it was manufactured. I asked him about reusing the gasket the next time I changed the lube and he said they suck it out instead of pulling the cover.

 

[Turbo Terry]

That shouldn’t take long then. Good to know. I have seen those oil lube vacuums on videos etc pretty cool

 

[nukegm]

for your first change, i would pull the cover and change fluid. you can inspect the differential that way and see if there is any debris in the fluid etc. just my .02 cheers all !

 

[Alan Reagan]

Agree on first change for pulling the covers. As far as the suckers, I have one called the Little Green Sucker and I use that thing for everything from bleeding brakes, hydraulic fluid, oil, etc. Never thought I would use one as much as I do. I did the differentials and transfer case with it recently. I usually pull the covers but this time I sucked it out. A lot faster and it gets pretty much everything.

 

[Topzide]

@Turbo Terry, They're Canada Geese, don't think they carry passports.

 

[Cummins12V98]

A tech at the dealership here told me they suck it out instead of pulling the cover. They had to replace the differential internals on my truck under warranty because the lash wasn’t set correctly when it was manufactured. I asked him about reusing the gasket the next time I changed the lube and he said they suck it out instead of pulling the cover.

That is such a lame way to do the service with a quality reusable gasket involved.

 

[lpennock]

Dealer services are flat rate. If they can do two 1 hours jobs in 1 hour they make twice as much money. Anything that saves them time they will use.

 

[Turbo Terry]

So got my gear oil changed in my 2022 ho aisin srw 3500 yesterday. My fluids AMSOIL. Front took 3 quarts rear 5 quarts. Not by dealer new Indy that I never used before and might not ever again

 

[Turbo Terry]

But heres the saddest news of all it took them two hours and they charged me $260 $130 a hour shop time. They did pull the covers off.The price I pay for being creeper impaired.

 

[nukegm]

comrade terry - the shop time doesnt sound nuts to me. at least you got the fluid changed. thats good. just read an article about the average american is gonna pay 7000 more per year for same stuff due to inflation. might chalk the shop rate up to that. cheers !

 

[Turbo Terry]

Yes probably true. I can afford it I’m lucky that way. Should count my blessings. Life goes on

 

[Turbo Terry]

And you can’t take anything with you right ?