Bet your rear axle is over full now

[sag2]

I heard that American Axle was going to add a fill line to the diff cover in September. Well I went by the Dodge dealer today and climbed under a 2500 with a 10. 5 axle. Sure enough, there is a fill line, and it is about an inch BELOW the fill hole. So everyone that added oil because it wasn't to the hole is now over full, and I bet the oil is foaming running down the road. Foaming oil does not lubricate very well. I posted many months ago the recommendation I got from the DC training folks, and it appears they were right all along. Didn't crawl under an 11. 5, but it should have the mark a little higher than the 10. 5.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

When I read the specs on the fill level from here, I made the same conclusion. I was conflicted because my experience said fill it to the bottom of the hole level like I had for years, but the specs said no.



It is funny how nervous it makes me to change from what I am used to.

 

[sag2]

I think your exactly right. It has been the same for 100 years, then they go and change it, by a bunch!

And I think the 03 owners manual was different than what the tech guys said. I should walk out and look again. The 04 owners manual matched the fill line spec.

 

[RayB]

So if you fill it to the bottom of the hole it will foam, so what happens when you put on a ma tec cover that has more oil capacity dose it make it foam also?

 

[lmills]

I could be wrong, but the mag hy tech probably increase the fluid capacity by being a larger cover. The fluid is still the same depth, so it is still at the same fill level, just there is more of it.

 

[CannanW]

I could be wrong, but I believe the ring gear is supposed to be submerged, So oil foaming would not be an issue.

 

[TCDiesel]

Over full

I call AAM talk to their spec guy,Who informed Me that DC spec out the fill hole to be higher , This would eliminate certain liability issues. He also said if you fill to hole level,it would be fine.



One liability issue would be if it leak in some ones driveway.

 

[Agades]

the owners manual says



3/4" below bottom of hole +/- 1/4"

 

[realsquash]

I can't imagine that 3/4" makes much difference. Drive down the highway and pull that plug while it's all still hot and see what happens... .



Andy

 

[Buffalo]

Rear axle fill

I , too, spoke with Amer. Axle, the other day and, also, was told that it "was O. K. " to fill to the bottom of the hole. If interested, check what I found out from Amer. Axle and Texaco regarding gear oil in the 3 Gen. Engine and drivetrain section, Mopar Rear end Fluid. I have 2 reply's under the name,Buffalo. Not sure whether Amer. Axle or Texaco is right. You"ll have to decide. Joe Donnely, also, has a very interesting reply, as usual. Hope this helps. Joe Fihn (Buffalo)

 

[PJensen]

The 3/4" below the fill hole +/- 1/4" is for the 10. 5" rear axle

if I remember correctly. The 11. 5" rear axle has a higher level requirement.



Check your books

 

[CAKUZ]

Originally posted by Agades

the owners manual says



3/4" below bottom of hole +/- 1/4"

They must have changed the info. in the owners manual since I took delivery on my 03 3500 on 12/20/02. On page 311 of my manual it reads; (Quote)



"When checking the fluid level the vehicle should be in a level position. The fluid level should be 1/4" +/- 1/4" below the fill hole on the 9. 25" Front Axle. The fluid level should be 1/4" +/- 1/4" below the fill hole on all 10. 5"/11. 5" Rear Axles. "



There is NO mention of "3/4" inch below fill hole in ny o3 manual.



I added over one qt. of Mobil 1 synthetic to my 11. 5" rear axle to bring it up to the bottom of the fill hole. Wonder why they would have the 'Fill' hole 3/4" above required oil level?

 

[Badunit]

High, low, or whatever, I filled mine to the bottom of the hole and that's where it's staying. If I have a problem and they blame it on the level being too high, I have the owners manual (and factory service manual) to show I filled it according to Dodge specs. If they changed their specs, they should issue a change to the owner's manual and send it out.

 

[Phil Howell]

My '04 manual says 1/4" +/- 1/4" below fill hole for my 11. 5" ring gear. My rear diff was WAY below that upon delivery. By the way, 1/4" + 1/4" is at the bottom of the fill hole.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Mag Hytec's dipstick puts the oil level between the bottom inside of the axle tube and the bottom of the axle shaft. This level ensures the outer bearings get enough lube. For decades, lower levels have been used with success, but there is no problem with running this higher level, and it may help. I once ran a Dana 70 for several days after wiping the axles with solvent, and filling to the relatively low stock spec. Upon removing the axle shafts, they were still dry. It also has been somewhat common in humid areas for the inside of the axle tubes to rust. The rust eventually washed onto the carrier bearings and trashed them.

 

[Buffalo]

Joe Donnelly re. Rear axle fill

Hi Joe. I'm Joe Fihn, the guy that camped next to you at Tulare, with the white '03-QC-3500-4X4 and the 25' Nash trailer (approx. 7000 lbs. ). I know You like the LE-607 (90wt. ) with the Mag-Hy-Tech. cover. I remember Kevin Dinwiddie's (from LE) talk at May Maddness. He really liked the 607. I phoned Kevin and explained my trailer towing situation (mountain driving, etc. ) and He said that if I did not use the Mag-Hy-Tech cover, to use the LE-9920 Synolec, 75w-140 synthetic. If I chose to use the Mag-Hy-tech that the 607 would be O. K. due to the greater volume of oil. I was really impressed with what I heard about the LE-607 but, to be honest with you, I don't know "diddly" about gear oils. I called Amer. Axle and was told to use "ONLY" Mopar Gl-5, 75w-90. That's probably baloney but, the guy sounded really serious about it. I'm, also, a little concerned about the warranty issue. I keep hearing "being your own warranty station" echoing in the background. I know I'm probably making too much of a "project" out of this damn gear oil thing but, I do respect your opinions. Thank You, in advance, for your input. Joe Fihn (Buffalo)

 

[adsharpe]

Lotsa commotion about that AA rear. Joe D. 's comment was to check the gear lash, as in if the gear lash is out of spec the oil in there doesn't matter much.



Naturally, the hype is to buy the Mopar crap.



However, since AA supplies the same crap to other manufacturers, do you think GM tells its customers to buy Mopar gear lube?



Put in a 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic and run it. If you get pumped by paying for expensive lube, pump up. If you don't throw money around, buy a 5 gal pail or more and save. Oo.



Fill level: if a stream of lube knocks your eye out when you remove the plug, it might be too full. If there is no explosion when the plug is removed, it maybe low on fluid.



I will have a "CheckRear" tool available soon for $35 but am waiting for the large paper clips to arrive at my manufacturing facility. The tool will provide foolprof checks for oil level and are disposable. By that I mean, after you check the fluid level, just drop the tool into the fluid, replug and then drive normally. When you drain again, if the tool is missing, gear lash is about right.

 

[LightmanE300]

Guys, all I hear about is the rear diff. What about the front, or is there not a need to change/fill the front axle? I may be confused regarding the front setup on my 4x4, however I thought when under there today I saw a fill plug much like the rear... .



Forgive the newbie questions, I've had my truck 3 days...

 

[Ladders]

Axle(s)

The front is not forgotten but, everyone has a REAR not everyone has a 4x4. The problem originated back last year with rear noise and lost axle(s). So we just "write" about the rear and it also includes the front AND the trans. If the rear is low, then its possible all are.



2 B SAFE check ALL fluids as soon as possible after delivery (coolant, p/s {which gives you brakes}, trans, washer, etc). The low paid lot boy that does some of these cks at some of the dealers may not be ed-u-ma-cadeted enuff to know. It is your truck/car/ride and even tho you paid 100k for it, we know that some dealers need to "watched".



WAIVER (or DISCLAIMER): Just MY opinion and has no reflection on any dealer/lot boy/mechanic/. Any similarities between real persons (living or DEAD) and this story above are purely coincidental.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[CAKUZ]

AXLE OIL LEVEL

Good info. as usual from Joe Donnelly!



Many of us including myself often neglect or forget to express our thanks and appreciation to Mr. Donnelly and others like him that know what they are talking about and go out of thier way to help us with our problems and concerns with our trucks. I think I speak for most of us when I say, THANKS Joseph.



I have enjoyed the useful posts he has written and the articles in the Register by him very much. Keep up the great work !