Changing Fluid in Front Differential-Suck it out?

[Fuzz]

Just finished changing gear lube in front differential on 4x4. . looked new,not surprised as really not used too much(4whl).

Wondering if it wouldn't be just as good to suck out the old fluid with suction pump as pulling the banjo cover.

I understand the need to pull cover on rear as it used pretty hard.

Just wondering.

Thnx

 

[Dieselnerd]

I pulled my front cover the first time so I could get all the old stuff out. At 30,000 miles it still looked brand new. I replaced the old oil with the same Amsoil 75-140 series 2000 that I use in my rear axle. I don't plan on changing the front one again unless it gets contaminated since I normally don't use 4 wheel drive unless it's in the snow or ice. I change the rear about every 20,000 miles. I do suck a little out of the front from time to time to see if it's still nice and clear.

 

[Fuzz]

Thanks Ron

Kinda think I will do the same. Just wanted to get a second opinion.

Thanks again

Fuzz

 

[CRuD]

Don't use FWD much

All that great looking country out there and you don't go out and enjoy it ?



Drove through that area and wished I could stop and enjoy.

See Ya

Chris

 

[tjpatte]

This is just me but, I rather pull the cover and make sure I get everthing out and be able to take a look at things. That ounce of prevention thing.



Have Fun.



Tom

 

[RJOL]

Your probably safe in delaying changing the front differential fluid, if you don't do a lot of heavy 4 wheelin. But remember, all the gears are still turning in there unless you have modified your front end with manual hub locks.



Personally, I'd pull the cover, unless you have an after market cover with a magnetic plug. Just my $. 02 .....

 

[DieselDoghouse]

We're supposed to pull the cover and change the oil every 15,000 miles. Gee, I wonder what the bolt holes will look like after a few years of that?? I changed mine at 50,000 and wiped the housing, there was nothing to report! Am still waiting for the Mag-hytec front cover with the drain , fill and dipstick!!

 

[JJW_ND]

Change it every 50K to 75K!

If you live in a colder climate, I would change it every 50K -75K. I had a seal problem on the front axle. Amsoil 75W90 had about 80K on it. It was pretty black and "stinky".



In warmer climate one could get a good synthetic in and them forget about it.



It is very easy to draw a sample (straw) and send it in if ever concerned.



jjw

ND

 

[WOWZY]

Diff Fluid is not the only thing that needs to checked.



Sometimes automotive engineers make things harder for a good reason.



For years I thought it was stupid for some diffs not to come with a drain plug until I removed the Inspection Cover on my '84 Blazer and found a piece of a chipped tooth from the pinion gear lying near the ring gear.



Luckily the ring gear hadn't picked it up. I had to buy a new ring and pinion, but it would've been worse if I hadn't pulled the cover off to look.

From then on I always pull 'em off to do a check once every 6 months.