American Axle - Fluid Spec, Fill Level And Break-in Procedure

[Bill Stockard]

dmurdock,



Yep, you are right... . and I'll bet that AA has built a lot more axles than Dodge in the last 10 years!!



Bill

 

[jlevesque]

1. all 2003 2500 and 3500 series rams use american axles only.

2. use mopar p/n 05102232aa for vehicles that tow.

3. use mopar p/n 05102232aa for vehicles that don't tow.

4. use mopar p/n 05102232aa for top ups.

5. 11. 5" american axle 1/4" + or - 1/4" below fill hole.

6. 10. 5" american axle 3/4" + or - 1/4" below fill hole.

7. front american axle 1/4" below fill hole.

8. american axles use the trac rite posi, no addititve required.

9. any american axles that had 75w140 installed should be drained and filled with the proper p/n

10. tsb about using 75w140 for towing does not apply to american axles.

11. p/n 05102232aa should be used in american axles only.







James

 

[Casey Balvert]

Looks like that just about covers it. Thanks James.



Casey

 

[dmurdock]

no, no, we can't let it die yet!!!



Just one more question... if AA uses texaco lube for their axles, is texaco 75-90 full synthetic the same thing?? Has anyone seen this stuff in stores?



I want to stick to what AA says, but if I can buy the lube somewhere else, it'd be cheaper.





ps. . bill, you order an '03 yet? I'm driving a cavalier while waiting for my truck to get here (can you imagine me fitting in that car?? i've lost some weight, but i haven't shrunk by a foot! )

 

[Bill Stockard]

dmurdock,



Yep, the '03 is on order... no build date yet. We are expecting it sometime in April... ... .



We're spending the kids' inheritance ..... picking up our new Lance 1121 camper today.



Hey, your '03 will feel great after punishing yourself in that econo-box. Congratulations on the weight loss program--Good Luck



Cya at the next Texas Rally



Bill

 

[Casey Balvert]

Has anyone priced the Mopar p/n 05102232aa lube oil?



Casey

 

[Casey Balvert]

Huh

I went to the dealer this morning to pick up four quarts of the above part number. Of course they don't stock it. Before I can order the stuff, the service manager advises me that he got a letter from DC recommending synthetic 75W140 if you tow. Huh??? I ask for a copy but he can't produce it. I then ask him if he isn't confusing the requirements for the Dana axles used prior to 2003. No. Then he says since DC put the wrong fluid in, he is replacing the fluid under warrantee for customers with towing packages. Now I am really confused because this is totally contrary to what James posted a few days ago. Totally contrary to what AAM has advised me.



I have an appointment on Friday to have the gear lube replaced at no charge but I am suspicious that they are making a mistake. James, can you shed any light on this? I just want to do what is best for my rear axle.



Casey

 

[jlevesque]

Casey. do not allow the dealer to change your fluid, as they are

wrong with what they said.

here is the d. c. letter sent to all canadian dealers, referred to as

tech tip #40



this tech tip supersedes tech tip #34 which should be removed from your files. All revisions are highlighted with **asterisks**

2003 dr trucks-rear light duty and heavy duty axle fluid levels

during pre-delivery inspections or regular scheduled maintenance

interval service technicians may notice that the rear axle fluid levels may appear to be low. prior to adding axle fluid, service technicians must ensure they are checking the correct level

requirement for the axle application as listed below.



(the paragraph below refers to 1500 series trucks)

2003 light duty 9. 25 corporate rear axle fluid safe level should be **6 mm (1/4") + or- 6mm(1/4")** below the fill hole. all 2003 light duty dr received and should be serviced with sae 75w140 gl-5 synthetic fluid p/n 04874469. if the 9. 25 axle has a limited slip differential, a limited slip additive p/n 04318060ab must be added.





(the rest of the info below refers to 2500 and 3500 series trucks)

2003 heavy-duty 10. 5 american axle rear axle fluid safe level should be 19mm (3/4") +/- (1/4") below the fill hole. all american

axle's received should be serviced with sae 75w90 gl-5 synthetic fluid p/n 05102232aa. additive not required if equipped with a trac-rite differential.



2003 heavy-duty 11. 5 american axle rear axle fluid safe level should be **6mm (1/4") + or - (1/4")** below the fill hole.

all american axle's received and should be serviced with sae 75w90 gl-5 synthetic fluid p/n 051022322aa. additive not required

if equipped with a trac-rite differential.



note all american axles that have limited slip differentials, are

referred to as trac-rite.



hope this helps

James

 

[Dean Upson]

James,



That clears it up for me. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

James, Thanks a lot. I was going to cancel the appoinment until I could verify what they were saying is right. They have me going in circles. My subscription may just have paid for itself.



Any body find a decent price for the "correct" fluid from Mopar?



Casey

 

[jlevesque]

Casey the list price at my dealer is 29. 25 i can buy it for 19. 95,

if you are just topping it up to the new spec, 1 litre should do.

your dealer should order the correct fluid and do it under warranty. do you ever come to the mississauga area??



James

 

[Blue Goat]

Dealer replaced the 75W140 with 75W90 today. They added the 75W140 when they replaced the entire rear axle. Gear shift came loose on the way to the dealer. Thought it was the nob but the lever was rotating.

 

[MRay0324]

Rear oil part number

My very first post! I bought a 2003 Ram 2500 HD with SO CTD on March 19th. I had the oil changed on March 31st at my oil change place and he said that rear differential fluid was a little low. I took to Dodge today and they added approximately a quart of 75W-90 GL 5 fluid, part number 05010320AA. This part number doesn't match the part number recommended by American Axle. My theory is it shouldn't matter since it was a 75W-90 fluid meeting GL 5 standards. What do you think? Thanks!



Mark

 

[drtrox]

Hi MRay0324,

I would check with the dealer to be sure that the part number fluid they used is the proper "synthetic" oil recommended by American Axle. ~ Don ~

 

[Casey Balvert]

I just change my rear end lube using the specified part number. The Mopar bottle I have in front of me has part #05102232AA on it and states "Formulated for use only in Heavy Duty DR 2500/3500 vehicles and axles produced by American Axle". While the owners manual specifies 75W90 GL5 for the axle I wasn't going to take any chances especially in light of the bulletin the dealers were sent regarding the specific oil to use. See an earlier posting in this thread. I guess if it was my truck, I would change it out using the specified fluid. That said, other have used other brands without an detrimental effects so far. Time will tell. Just seems funny that DC is very specific in that bulletin about which lube to use.



Casey

 

[MRay0324]

American Axle Fluid Spec Update

Hi Guys,



I took my truck to another dealer who had the correct part number 05102232AA and had them totally change out the old fluid (05010320AA) which was non-synthethic GL-% 75W-90 and replace with what American Axle recommended (05102232AA) I drove about 75 miles on the combo of wrong and new fluid before having changed so I hope it didnt do any damage. I seriously doubt it in 75 miles. The tech said he filled it to approximately 1/2" below the fill hole. According to owners manual it is in spec 1/4"+-1/4" so I am going to leave it alone. At least I can quit worrying about it



Mark

 

[Evan A. Beck]

TTT...



Just wondering, but are you guys being sure to fill the differential to the correct level??? It's not like the older rigs where you fill it until it spills out...