advice for differential fluid change

[Paddy McMahon]

I am finally (80k miles) planning on changing the differential fluids in my truck. in other vehicles I simply removed the cover and used silicone RTV to seal the cover to the housing after draining & cleaning the metal mating surfaces. Does the 2005 truck require a gasket? What are the capacities front & rear? Can anyone give me a recommendation for fluid weight & manufacturer? Do I need to add a limited slip additive?

 

[Grizzly]

I am finally (80k miles) planning on changing the differential fluids in my truck. in other vehicles I simply removed the cover and used silicone RTV to seal the cover to the housing after draining & cleaning the metal mating surfaces. Does the 2005 truck require a gasket? What are the capacities front & rear? Can anyone give me a recommendation for fluid weight & manufacturer? Do I need to add a limited slip additive?

Do a search on a resent thread, "Differential Fluid Change Intervals". 1 Oct 08.

 

[wcjp]

My 06' came from the factory with reusable gaskets. Don't recall the capacity. I used full synthetic Valvoline 80-90. Also used full synthetic ATF+4 for transmission/transfer case.

 

[RRB]

My '06 has reusable gaskets. Capacity is 4qts on the rear, 2qts on the front. No additive req'd. You'll need a funnel with a flexible tip to get the oil back in. About a 30 minute job... I don't remember the torque requirements. I use 75W90 Amsoil.

 

[RRB]

I change the rear every 15k miles, front 30kmiles... . cheap insurance if you tow often.

 

[DZink24]

E-a-s-y

possibly the easiest maintenance item on these trucks. put a waste oil pan under the pumpkins, loosen the bolts starting at the bottom, drain the oil until she's empty, then completely remove the covers, clean with rags, check and clean the gears, tighten the bolts back on in a star pattern, don't overtighten! SNUG is the key word. get yourself 8 quarts of a synthetic gear oil, you'll use 4 for the rear, 3+ for the front. fill until it flows out the fill hole, snug up the plug, drive, check for leaks...

 

[firemansdiesel]

possibly the easiest maintenance item on these trucks. put a waste oil pan under the pumpkins, loosen the bolts starting at the bottom, drain the oil until she's empty, then completely remove the covers, clean with rags, check and clean the gears, tighten the bolts back on in a star pattern, don't overtighten! SNUG is the key word. get yourself 8 quarts of a synthetic gear oil, you'll use 4 for the rear, 3+ for the front. fill until it flows out the fill hole, snug up the plug, drive, check for leaks...

X2, same as I do it. The gasket is also reusable. I use 75w110 Amsoil... ... .....

 

[RobertMay]

FYITSB NUMBER: 03-001-04 REV. A

GROUP: Axle

DATE: May 11, 2004





The axle fill holes on some 2004 Dodge Truck axles may be located considerably higher

that the actual fluid level. Filling the axle until the fluid comes out of the fill hole will over fill

the axle, which could cause fluid foaming. When checking fluid level or filling a rear axle

with fluid, you must measure distance from the bottom of the fill hole to the actual fluid

level. This can easily be accomplished using a pipe cleaner or piece of wire. Make a 90

degree bend in the wire 2 inches from the end. The wire can then be inserted into the axle

fill hole to use as a dipstick. Measure the distance from the bend to the oil level, The fluid

levels for the axles are shown in the table below.



NOTE: The limited slip feature on 2500/3500 series Ram Trucks utilizes the Trac Rite

locking feature which does not require Trac-Lok additives or friction

modifiers.

 

[RobertMay]

FYITSB NUMBER: 03-001-04 REV. A

GROUP: Axle

DATE: May 11, 2004





The axle fill holes on some 2004 Dodge Truck axles may be located considerably higher

that the actual fluid level. Filling the axle until the fluid comes out of the fill hole will over fill

the axle, which could cause fluid foaming. When checking fluid level or filling a rear axle

with fluid, you must measure distance from the bottom of the fill hole to the actual fluid

level. This can easily be accomplished using a pipe cleaner or piece of wire. Make a 90

degree bend in the wire 2 inches from the end. The wire can then be inserted into the axle

fill hole to use as a dipstick. Measure the distance from the bend to the oil level, The fluid

levels for the axles are shown in the table below.



NOTE: The limited slip feature on 2500/3500 series Ram Trucks utilizes the Trac Rite

locking feature which does not require Trac-Lok additives or friction

modifiers.



FLUID CAPACITY

10. 5 Rear Axle 25 mm (1 in. ) ± 6mm (1/4 in. ) 2. 5L (85 oz. ) SAE 75 W 90 Synthetic

11. 5 Rear Axle 6 mm (1/4 in. ) ± 6 mm (1/4 in. ) 3. 6 L (122 oz. ) SAE 75 W 90 Synthetic

9 1/4 Front Axle 6 mm (1/4 in. ) ± 6 mm (1/4 in. ) 2. 2 L (76 oz. ) - SAE 75W-90 Synthetic