Axle service requirement

[EGroeneveld]

I would not exceed 20K with OE.

Shoot, I just passed 23K on my 2016.
I've been watching the oil / fuel filter lives like crazy, guess not thinking about other stuff. LOL. They are both at about 40% now. 1st round was changed right at 15K.

If oil and fuel filter is basically in 15k increments, why the heck would they put the axle fluids on a 20k increment?

One of the nice things about this truck has been the - not having to go to the dealer for oil changes every 3-5K miles like my 2011 needed.

Time to open the glovebox and read. LOL.

 

[SnoKing]

post #29 appears to be a opinion. anyone know what the factory states? Manual is very vague. Hard to believe the rear can only go 20,000 without a change.

The manual is very vague and has no real table entry for normal use much less heavy towing. No where does it state a number for normal use. SNOKING

 

[Kirwin]

What is the mileage or time interval for diff fluid change if truck never towed?

There is no specified interval for normal service, unless you meet one of these, its not required: *Inspect the front and rear axle surfaces every 20,000miles (32,000 km). If gear oil leakage is suspected, check the fluid level. If using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid every 20,000 miles (32,000 km)."


My personal opinion is that it should be changed at 20K and then every 50K thereafter no mater what. Unless you submerge the axle in water, then I'd change it immediately!

 

[gsbrockman]

Use a Jay's Easy Funnel to refill.

A piece of 3/8" ID vinyl tubing (a small section cut for use of draining my rear separator) works well, too.

 

[Newsa]

The manual is very vague and has no real table entry for normal use much less heavy towing. No where does it state a number for normal use. SNOKING

The manual(s) is/are vague in several areas. It doesn't specify an ATF4+ change interval for the G56 (light duty use). It only has a change interval for the automatic transmissions. For manual transmissions, it only says to change the G56 fluid @60,000 miles/4 yrs if used for police, fire, towing, etc. I wiill change my G56 fluid at about 35,000 miles/4 years to be safe. I will also change the T-fer case fluid at the same time. I have less than 5000 miles towing, so i can not claim to be towing frequently.

These trucks don't have passenger car rear ends, so i think 20,000 miles is about the limit even if not towing freqently. These differentials get hot on the hwy even when not towing. And if you haven't broken in the differential properly, you could be creating problems. The differential should be broken in without a load for 500-1000 miles. And will go through some more seasoning if you tow with it.

 

[2013megacab]

From the owners manual: every 2 years, 20,000K miles or 24,000 KM, if your truck is used for frequent trailer towing.

Of course there is no definition of "frequent trailer towing". I have put 28,000 miles on my truck and 11,000 of that was towing 6000# or 9000#. I wonder if they call that "frequent".

Al

 

[gsbrockman]

Of course there is no definition of "frequent trailer towing". I have put 28,000 miles on my truck and 11,000 of that was towing 6000# or 9000#. I wonder if they call that "frequent".

Al

A friend and I wondered the same thing......maybe "frequent" is 51% ???

 

[JR]

Reading through this thread I'm shocked 75w140 isn't recommended in these axles.

I know Ford spec's 75w140 in many of their light duty vehicles, SUV's, Mustang, etc. that don't even tow.

Same with the Dana axles used in 2nd gens.

 

[GSykes]

Getting ready to change mine, looking at purchasing either Lucas Oil Synthetic SAE 75W90 or Valvoline SYNpower SAE 75W90, both manufacturers state they meet all three requirements: GL-5, MT-1 and SAE-J2360. The same three requirements on the Mopar stuff but a heck of a lot cheaper. Any thoughts guys?
Both Lucas's and Valvoline's' 75W140 do not meet the SAE-J2360 requirement.

 

[Jim W]

I use Amsoil which is a little pricey but I change my diff oil every 40,000 miles now. I changed out the original factory fill at 14,400 miles when I installed the Mag-Hytec diff cover. Since than I have changed at every 40,000 miles using 75W-90 Amsoil Severe Gear differential oil.

If you have read the full thread you will see what my temps are when I am pulling my 34RL Cedar Creek 5th wheel.

Just my $0.02

 

[2013megacab]

After my experience I WON'T run the Mopar axle lube. My Manual states 15K if towing and in SNOKING's Diesel supplement it says 20K. At 20K I started getting "grabbing" on take off. I sampled at 24K the lube was toast. AMZ/OIL 75/110 in my 11 HO Dually was in good shape at 50K towing a combined 29K.

I have had the "grabbing"/"slipping"/u-joint vibration since I bought the truck at 22K miles. I probably should change the diff fluid and see if that helps. I was assuming it was the drive shaft alignment thing and I had my choice of it doing it when loaded or when unloaded as mentioned on here.

Al

 

[EGroeneveld]

Of course there is no definition of "frequent trailer towing". I have put 28,000 miles on my truck and 11,000 of that was towing 6000# or 9000#. I wonder if they call that "frequent".

Al

I'm going to assume ''frequent'' means almost daily.....according to the gauge I have 6k miles of towing on my 2016 with 23k miles. With a tow rating of 30k on my truck, the toyhauler weighing about 12k is not even 50% of the tow rating. The truck camper is only 5k and the enclosed trailer is even lighter.....

It will be interesting when I go in for my next oil change at 30k if they ''suggest'' or say the axle servicing is needed.

 

[Kirwin]

I'm going to assume ''frequent'' means almost daily.....according to the gauge I have 6k miles of towing on my 2016 with 23k miles. With a tow rating of 30k on my truck, the toyhauler weighing about 12k is not even 50% of the tow rating. The truck camper is only 5k and the enclosed trailer is even lighter.....

It will be interesting when I go in for my next oil change at 30k if they ''suggest'' or say the axle servicing is needed.

If they don't know you tow, they wont know to suggest it. I wouldn't rely upon the dealer for this type of reminder. Only you know what you use your truck for; therefore only you can follow what the manual calls for for your intended use. Otherwise "I am my own warranty station" comes into play.