Consequence of Over-Filling Rear Differential

[Briman]

I filled my '03 and '04 to the brim (fill hole) shortly after bringing them home. I currently have 50K on the '04 with the last 25 K using 75-140 in the rear, to the brim. I used 75-90 in the front to the bottom of the fill hole. I just changed the trans and T-case and will be doing the pumpkins again soon. I will be filling them to the hole again. Perhaps the leaking is because the pumpkins were low and the seals are dry, when you fill them up properly the seals are already compromised and of course appear to fail imediatley.

 

[JHardwick]

There are axle seals at the hubs on a floater.

There is a difference between a seal and a gasket, unless the AAM is totally different than the Dana?

 

[kmcdonough]

I changed my rear end fluid at 30K. I used Amsoil sythetic lube this time around. Shortly thereafter, I developed a kind of grinding noise in the rear end. It only happened when I made a left turn from a dead stop. Very pronounced when trailering. My dealer told me that I should add the limited slip additive (I have the limited slip option). AAM told me that no addiitive was required on their Track-Rite axles (this is also stated in the 03 Ram service manual. AAM also said they only provide Track-rite axles for Dodge Rams. I put in the additive and the noise stopped. Anyone else have this problem? I changed the fluid at 15K, using another synthetic (I think Mobil) and had no problem. Could it be the Amsoil?

 

[mberry]

I changed my rear end fluid at 30K. I used Amsoil sythetic lube this time around. Shortly thereafter, I developed a kind of grinding noise in the rear end. It only happened when I made a left turn from a dead stop. Very pronounced when trailering. My dealer told me that I should add the limited slip additive (I have the limited slip option). AAM told me that no addiitive was required on their Track-Rite axles (this is also stated in the 03 Ram service manual. AAM also said they only provide Track-rite axles for Dodge Rams. I put in the additive and the noise stopped. Anyone else have this problem? I changed the fluid at 15K, using another synthetic (I think Mobil) and had no problem. Could it be the Amsoil?

Seems to be a common fix with the Amsoil. The difference is that most gear oils already have the limited slip additive in them. That would be the same as using Amsoil then adding their friction modifier. It never hurts to put the additive in. I used Royal Purple and it has the additive in it already.

 

[flattracker]

Fill to the bottom of the hole, has been the industry for over 50 years do you really think if the manufacturer wanted the fill level lower they wouldn't of lowered the hole we aren't talking rocket science here. For the leaking axle seals when you dissasemble them check the bearing tolerance nine times out of ten they are set up too loose and this in turn causes the leaking seal.

 

[DPelletier]

DC Tech Tip # 40 (supercedes Tech Tip #34)



... . 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 recieved and should be serviced with sae 75W90 gl5 synthetic fluic p/n 051022322aa. additive not required if equipped with a trac-rite differential... .





9. 25" front axle has always been 1/4" + or - 1/4"



Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Subby]

Maybe I've had too many barley pops, but if the spec says 1/4" below the fill hole + or - 1/4" wouldn't that make filling to the bottom of the fill hole within spec?

 

[DPelletier]

Maybe I've had too many barley pops, but if the spec says 1/4" below the fill hole + or - 1/4" wouldn't that make filling to the bottom of the fill hole within spec?

Yep.



Dave

 

[rbattelle]

I fill until it runs out the fill hole. No trouble yet. Dino oil.



-Ryan

 

[MMead]

Ryan,



I thought full synthetic was required for the diffs?

 

[Kirwin]

Full synthetic is the required fluid

Ryan, are you really using non-synthetic oil? Ken Irwin

 

[LightmanE300]

Fill to the bottom of the hole, has been the industry for over 50 years do you really think if the manufacturer wanted the fill level lower they wouldn't of lowered the hole we aren't talking rocket science here. QUOTE]



Exactly. Fill it till it runs out of the hole and be done with it.

 

[rbattelle]

OOPS! You know, sometimes being a goober is really inconvenient.



SYNTHETIC, I'm using SYNTHETIC, not dino oil in my diffs.



I don't know what I was thinking when I typed that.



Sorry!



-Ryan