Differential Oil Change Intervals.

[Grizzly]

Regardless of what the Owners Manual says, what do you believe should be the Intervals for changing Differential Oil for each generation and what brand and weight oil do you recommend? Obviously if you tow heavy, you should change it more often.



george

 

[RVTRKN]

What ever Dodge recommends if under warranty, and when out of warranty whatever works for you, but keep in mind the damage may not show up for awhile. My personal opinion is every 20-30K unless it is used for towing heavy 100% of the time, then recommended intervals. This is just an opinion so don't rake me under the coals for it.

 

[Jim W]

George,

I had the same axle configuration on my 2001, Chevy 2500HD. Per the Chevy service guide they recommended axle diff oil changes every 30K. With the first one at 30K and then every 30K after that.



I change diff oil of both axles at 15K and checked the wear pattern of the gear sets. Clean out the housing really good and then used a magnetic probe and passed this under the gear set and over the cast housing. I just wanted to make sure there was no metal shavings in the housing. I then reinstall new Mag-Hytec covers for added oil amounts and cooling. I will now be changing at 30 K intervals. I also check the dipstick in the Mag-Hytec for wear particles. There has been some small fuze but this is normal wear.



When towing my 5er I have measured the diff covers with a heat gun and my highest diff temps were 145F. Ambient air temps were 90+ and I had towed for two hours straight.



Jim

 

[meanmatt]

I did my first axle oil change at 30k . The oil still looked new . Diff housing was also clean . the new oil I used is the Eaton Roadranger sever duty oil good for 500k miles. The trucks at work never get axle oil changes . Only top offs when wheel seals leak. Only 2 power divider failures in the past 6 years . I know my diffs will never see that kind of use . So I will just check oil level and color for here on out .

 

[Grizzly]

I know a very well respected TDR member, who says he prolongs differential oil changes long past the scheduled intervals and has not had a problem with any differential. He also tows heavy.



george

 

[AABEN]

If you are still in warranty do as the book tell you.

 

[Grizzly]

AABEN, Well that's just it. The book, or Owner's Manual say to change the front and rear axle fluid every 15K miles under Schedule "B", however under Schedule "A", which is more where my truck is driven, it never says to change the fluid but to merely check the level of the manual transmission and transfer case. It never says to even check the fluid level of the front and rear differentials. I may tow heavy only 20% of the time.



I don't mind changing the fluid more often, but the Owner's Manual is very vague between Schedule A and B.



Same applies to Manual transmission. Schedule "B" says to change fluid every 75K miles on the G56 manual transmission only. No schedule is made to change the fluid on my transmission, which is the NV5600.



What gives, george

 

[Grizzly]

Can anyone answer my question about the Owner's Manual and how vague Schedule A and B are.



george

 

[Barry]

Changed both trannie and diff at 100K... ... ... ... ... now coming up on 200K... will change again along with PSF, brake fluid and coolant.

Was hoping for a Mag-Hytec cover for my B'day but all I got was a store bought cake and ice cream.

Well, when you want something done right... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .....

 

[S.Morris]

I change fluids all the way through at 75000mile intervals and use synthetics. Oil is still in good shape, not burnt or broken down.

When I worked with my brother in our specialty driveline rebuild shop (5 ton and up trucks). We always recommended annual oil changes based on experience and historu of components we saw. Most unabused components would run close to a million miles on highway tractors at the rate of 150k per year. Then rebearing and go again.

 

[Grizzly]

Changed both trannie and diff at 100K... ... ... ... ... now coming up on 200K... will change again along with PSF, brake fluid and coolant.

That's what I plan on doing. Worked fine on my '95.



george

 

[DavidPratt]

This is the fifth dodge that i have put on over 350,000 miles and have yet to change the front or rear axel lube . I do change the oil every 10,000 and have only had to replace one supply pump and an everapotor fo the ac and the fuel filter about 60,000 miles, i bought a tough trucke and it last me i dont beat it o yes breaks and tires every 100,000

 

[MO'Kelley]

Real Oil Specifications

I running 75W-90 weight oil in my rear 3500 dana 80 Axle, I thought I read somewhere in the MAg that one should use a dillerent weight if doing heaving towing, and recomendations? Also Do I need to add the Friction Modifier when I change ?

 

[Bob4x4]

David Pratt I doubt many that follow that advise would get the same results you claim