aam axle servise

[ToddK]

Manual says to change diff fluid every 15k. At around 20k I changed fluid using Amsoil. I decided that I would change it once a year and see how it looked. So, today, with 64k on the odo I did my annual diff service. The Amsoil coming out looked the same as it did going in.



What are others out there doing? I don't mind buying the oil and changing it if that is really what it needs. It just seemed as though the oil was still in good condition.



Also, any tricks to keep the dirt from in between the cover and diff, and on top of gasket from falling into the gears. Its not much, just annoying.



Thanks

 

[MMeier]

What do you do with your truck? Why not fill out a signature also while you're at it, can help a bunch when asking for answers later on! I run Lubrication Engineers LE 607 in my diffs and try to change it out every 25-30 k.

 

[ToddK]

MM,

I have an '06 CTD, MC, G56, 4X4. I use it daily to go to the office and drive around checking on jobs. Then I also tow an 11. 5k tt toy hauler on the weekends. I have had 2 PSD's prior to the CTD and never changed the diff fluid or was told that it was necessary before 100k.

 

[Doupe]

First change 30000 miles, oil was almost like new, no wear, next one will be at 90000, than at every 60000, Mobil #1, when I start some real towing I may shorten the distance.

 

[BDeMartile]

I tow 12500 most of the time and have a full bed the rest of the time (heavy0 I changed diff s at 30k it was clean at around 58k cleaner (like new) I use chevron synthetic 85-90. Also changed t case at 30 and it was a little darker but no foul smell changed it again at 58k and it was as pure as new... used mopar atf+4 in t case changed nv5600 at 45k and it was also clean and nothing on the magnet used penzoil synchromesh.

 

[rbattelle]

Well, I've been following the manual and going 15k between diff fluid changes. I've been meaning to go longer, but now that I'm in the habit...

I've got <1k left before the next 15k interval is up. I'm thinking I'll probably change it. "Old" fluid always looks brand new.

Ryan

 

[MFalkinham]

The first change on my '03 at 15k I noted the gear lube was dirty and had normal break-in metal debris in the oil and on the magnet. I just changed it again at 45k and the oil looked much better, just slightly darker than when it went in with very little debris.

Based on that I'm going to do the next change at 100k. I do infrequent towing of between 2k-8k pound trailers, and the majority of my driving is interstate.

 

[AKaiser]

What service schedule? I'm going to read mine tonight. I don't recall a 15K interval on mine.

 

[steved]

There are two service schedules... "A" and "B". One is for "severe service" and the other is for "grocery getter" (for lack of a better term. The 15k interval is excessive and for the severe service schedule... I don't think the grocery getter schedule has a drain interval...

With this said, I run mostly unloaded, but haul a camper and trailer occasionally. I changed the first round at 25k (Mobile 1 75w90), the second around 50k (Royal Purple 85w140), and the last at 120k (for installation of an aluminum cover, Royal Purple 85w140). I do not anticipate changing the fluid before 200k, possibly 250k.

I would recommend NOT using the OE recommended 75w90, and using at least a 75w140 or 85w140, or even Amsoil's new 75w110.

steved

 

[AKaiser]

Steved, I think you hit it on the money. I haven't towed, and I don't otherwise qualify for severe service, which would explain my not recalling a service interval. I am going to drain and refill this fall with Amsoil gear lube.

 

[JDerrick]

I ran the LE 607 lube in both front and rear diffs on my 99 CTD 4x4 , the truck was always on the highway, towing trailers, and saw a fairly severe off road service and almost all of its life was in the hot Las Vegas desert. I purchased Mag hightec diff covers at MM 01 installed them with the LE lube, and ran the truck for another 100 K miles and NEVER touched the diffs other than to check the levels. the front looked new as it came out of the bottle, and the rear was ever so slightly darker than new .



IM SOLD on LE lube, it will be in my 06 CTD as soon as i install the mag hightec diff covers on it.



My $0. 2



Jim D Oo.

 

[steved]

I ran the LE 607 lube in both front and rear diffs on my 99 CTD 4x4 , the truck was always on the highway, towing trailers, and saw a fairly severe off road service and almost all of its life was in the hot Las Vegas desert. I purchased Mag hightec diff covers at MM 01 installed them with the LE lube, and ran the truck for another 100 K miles and NEVER touched the diffs other than to check the levels. the front looked new as it came out of the bottle, and the rear was ever so slightly darker than new .



IM SOLD on LE lube, it will be in my 06 CTD as soon as i install the mag hightec diff covers on it.



My $0. 2



Jim D Oo.

I will only point out that the Dana differentials seem to be a LOT easier on oil compared to these AAMs... I rarely changed the lube in my 99, and it ran plain old conventional 80w140... it always drained clean with very little signs of wear on the magnet.



I feel the AAMs are one application the "designer" lubes such as Amsoil and RP really have a place... if you do decide to extend the mileage, you do need to inspect the fluid at least every oil change, regardless of the oil used.



I burnt that first fill of 75w90 Mobile 1 (turned brown and smelled burnt) in 25k with 99% highway driving in the rear 11. 50AAM (the reason I recommend something a little heavier). I think my bad experience with M1 might have been abnormal because I know a lot of guys run it with good results... but since changing to 85w140 RP, I have seen next to nothing on the magnet and the fluid never seems to change physically.



And one last though, if you are intent on following a "severe" schedule, I would recommend changing the front axle's fluid half as often as the rear, simply because of the fact that even though that axle is still turning the same number of times as the rear, it is doing it with almost no load on it... that is unless you're driving in 4wd all the time of course. This serves to save you a little $$ in fluid changes.



steved

 

[Mindbndr]

I took my truck to the dealer on Monday because the front axle is leaking. Truck has 16,300mi on it and the first thing the dealer asked was if I had the diff serviced at 15,000. I had not serviced the diff yet and this gave him the opportunity to let me know that being that I was over the recommended service mileage this may not be covered under warranty. So if for no other reason except to retain your warranty with out a fight I would service at 15,000 until out of warranty. I still have not heard from the dealer to let me know is they are going to cover new seals or not but I will post the outcome



Erin

 

[rbattelle]

And one last though, if you are intent on following a "severe" schedule, I would recommend changing the front axle's fluid half as often as the rear, simply because of the fact that even though that axle is still turning the same number of times as the rear, it is doing it with almost no load on it... that is unless you're driving in 4wd all the time of course. This serves to save you a little $$ in fluid changes.

Good advice.



Ryan

 

[evldsl]

let me ask you guys a question? Why do you change the oil if there is no leak in-other words if the oil is not contaminated why change it. I beleave the oil will last ( wont break down) for quite a while in a stable state if its not desturbed ( contaminated by water, etc. . ). Sure heat will change the charistics of the oil but that is only while it's hot and that is what oil is suppose to do, correct.

 

[rbattelle]

let me ask you guys a question? Why do you change the oil if there is no leak in-other words if the oil is not contaminated why change it.

I guess I assume it'll accumulate small particles shed from the gearset.



Ryan

 

[trqmnstr]

I need to service my 11. 5 rear. I think I'll just run some heavy conventional oil from an auto parts store. What should I do about LSD additive? Does Auto Zone, Advanced, etc sell the additive? Thanks

 

[klenger]

Conventional gear lube is not approved by Dodge. Auto Zone sells Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic, which is approved. I just did mine today.

 

[trqmnstr]

OK, thanks for the advice. I'll go get some tomorrow. How much does it take? What about the additive?

 

[klenger]

4 Qts, no additive required.