Differential PM Schedule/ Fluid Specs

[roperteacher]

I really didn't want to go back to the dealer to see if they filled my rear diff to the fill hole ( Which the shop forman swore is perfectly fine)... maybe I'll take it to a local place and have them check it... I'm tired of " Dealers" not knowing what they are doing!!!

 

[jimnance]

Originally posted by bballard

The B maintenance schedule for the '04 model says to change differential fluid every 15000 miles. This seems pretty excessive. Is it a CYA for warranty purposes, or do you guys think it really needs to be changed that often. Also, it makes no mention of useing anything but 75W90 regardless of duty. My '01 recommended 75W140 for heavy towing, which I do, with a longer change interval. Was just wondering.



Bob

I'm with you. I've never had a truck diff that required fluid change so often, especially when using synthetic fluid!



I'll probably change mine at 36K along with the NV5600 transmission fluid. I'll refill with the factory stuff.



The dealer doesn't touch my truck except for warrantee service. The local lube shop lets me help and watch. He's got the lift and equipment so it's easy, and he doesn't care if I bring the fluid and filters.

 

[roperteacher]

What will a foaming diferential cause? I am " Hoping" I don't fall into the " Some" category listed in the TSB above. My shop forman said up to the fill hole is fine... . maybe the actual tech read the instructions and only filled it to the FILL LINE printed on the differential cover!

 

[ropinfool2]

If the oil is foaming then it has air mixed in with it, thus less lubrication as there is less oil doing the lubing. John

 

[klenger]

The subject of axle fluid changes came up on rv.net. See http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15796219.cfm for discussion.



It appears that Rev A to TSB 03-001-03 indicates that 75W-140 should be used on the 11. 5 axles. See http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-001-04A.htm. There seems to be some confusion about the correct weight fluid to use. One of roperteacher's previoius posts on this thread refers to a fax from DC stating that 75W-190 is the correct fluid.



Does anyone have any more receint information on this?

 

[Bob4x4]

The TSB says 1/4 inch below the fill hole on the 11. 5 with 75/90



Bob

 

[klenger]

According to Rev A of the TSB at http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-001-04A.htm, it shows using 75W-140. I'm trying to find out if this is a typo on the website, a misprint from DC, or is it a new recomendation?

 

[Bob4x4]

The tsb as printed by D/C doesn't recommend anything but 5102232aa 75/90 for the american axles. Also in the 05 truck owners manual it is stated no special fluid needed for towing... . implying the fluid it is shipped with(75/90) is what is recommended for all uses. The tsb addresses all the D/C truck axles some of which the 85/140 is recommended for



Bob

 

[nickleinonen]

The TSB says 1/4 inch below the fill hole on the 11. 5 with 75/90

you forgot about the ±1/4" part, so till it runs out the cover is fine, as is 1/2" below the cover

 

[InThinAir]

So I would imaging that this would be the same for an 03? This is what I don't like about the bulletins... They are never completely clear. I haven't had any problems with 75w-90 syn amsoil. I do tow heavy but who knows now. Maybe I will switch to 75w-140 on the next change.



---Doug

 

[LightmanE300]

Did you guys also notice that it specs non-synthetic for the front axle, as well as 75w140 for the rear? I'm also curious if that tsb is misprinted or what. I have simply been using mobil 1 75w90 and filling until it runs out of the hole in both diffs. No issues so far knock on wood. .

 

[JeffreyHahn]

dealer prices

Glenbrook Dodge in Ft. Wayne quoted a price over $700 for both diffs. The engineers at AAM said the initial fill was a very expensive synthetic (didn't mention brand). At $350+ per diff it must be made out of unobtainium.

 

[Tony T.]

Glenbrook Dodge in Ft. Wayne quoted a price over $700 for both diffs. The engineers at AAM said the initial fill was a very expensive synthetic (didn't mention brand). At $350+ per diff it must be made out of unobtainium.

Man! and to think I was crying about paying $45. 00 to $50. 00 bucks for the 7 qts of Castrol Syntec 75w/90 gear oil (GL-5 rated full synthetic) when I did the 15K gear oil change. I didn't know how good I had it. :-laf I do know that I'm going to change it again at 30K about another 300 miles and if the gear oil looks as good then as it did at the 15K mark (factory fill) I doubt I'll be changing it again in another 15K. I'll go back with the Castrol,Mobil 1,or Valvoline what ever is best available at the time at the parts store. I do lite to moderate towing and have not done that for awhile now.



Tony

 

[SCClockDr]

In preping for a trip through Nova Scotia I just checked my levels and found the diff. down. I added 1 1/4 pints of the MOPAR 75W140. I then inspected for where the missing fluid might have come out. All I could find was an old stain around the pinion end of the case. It was quite dry so no recent losses there.



Anyone experience this when their truck was new? I got this one with 6200 on the clock, so I am wondering.



Could the seal have leaked initially and now be holding? I'll be checking this every stop on the trip as a precaution. I was tempted to change it to RP but am not willing to just waste it if the seal indeed leaks.

 

[mberry]

Clock Doc,



Some of them came from the factory low but keep an eye on that pinion seal for a while to be sure it didn't leak down to a point and then stop.

 

[Tim]

Hey roper, did they mention in the fax that you had to use D/C oil or can you use any synthetic 75-90?



The reason I ask is one of the best tech's at my dealer told me I only use D/C's oil or risk loss of warranty on the diff.



Thanks.

They can't void your warranty for not using theif fluid, they just want you to buy their overpriced crap. As long as it meets the spec, it will not void your warranty.

 

[SCClockDr]

I was not concerned about the voiding the warranty so much as going to the trouble of changing out the fluid and then dumping it when the seal gets replaced. It seemed wiser to top it up with MOPAR then check for leaks.



Just returned from about a 90 mile round trip and the dry stain is now damp. More like a weep than a leak. Now I know.





Update:



Seal not in stock at dealer, not listed at NAPA. So I'll keep my eye on it and say a prayer. I have fluid to keep it topped off.