axle service recomendations

[KWard]

My 2003 4x4 is coming up to 15000 mile service and the service book the dealer gave me has draining the front and rear axles and replacing the synthetic gear lube. ( and this is scheduled every 15k) . The owners manual says there is no scheduled service unless extreme conditions are involved . My truck has seen none of these. I am used to draining axles with standard gear oil every 30000-50000 miles and longer with synthetics. Any thoughts from the group on this. And for humor the dealer wants $189 per axle.

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by KWard

I am used to draining axles with standard gear oil every 30000-50000 miles and longer with synthetics. Any thoughts from the group on this. And for humor the dealer wants $189 per axle.

I think you'll be fine going 30K on synthetic in these axles. However, if you haven't ever changed the fluid since the truck was new, the sooner the better. I usually do the first change between 500-1000 miles on a new gearset, because a lot of metal will be in that oil from break in. After the first change, you should be OK with the extended interval.

 

[Dean Upson]

I think it is a good idea to change the gear oil early on as stated above by thejeepdude but I just changed mine for the first time at 12k and the old oil was pretty clean and I saw no signs of metal deposits in what was drained.



Dean

 

[e-man-da-warranty-man]

I just did my first axle service this past weekend (15k on the truck). I regularly tow 7-8k and figure I'd follow the severe maint schedule. Found the lube in good condition. Very little metal on the fill plug magnets too. You gotta love the re-useable cover gaskets! But anyway, I think you'd be ok on the 30k interval.

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by Dean Upson

I think it is a good idea to change the gear oil early on as stated above by thejeepdude but I just changed mine for the first time at 12k and the old oil was pretty clean and I saw no signs of metal deposits in what was drained.



Dean

I changed mine around 15,000 miles, first change an old oil was still clean looking also. I have'nt towed that much lately an was more curious than anything to check out the AAM. Even though a person tows very little, or none at all I think it's still a good idea just for the sake of condensation build up to change the gear oil. I will probably start thinking about changing again around the 45K to 50K time frame. Used the Castro Syntec 75w-90 full synthetic gear oil, that has the GL-5 rating, ran around $53. 00 bucks for the 7 quarts.