Front diff fluid change

[mfrost]

Have been changing the front diff along with the rear every 15K. I was looking at schedule A today and it doesn't even mention changing the diff fluids at all. I pull 11K 75% of the time and run 75-140 in the rear and 75-90 in the front and do schedule B. Does anyone else not change the front diff fluid at 15K intervals? It would seem that the heat in the front diff would be minimal since it is just turning with no power to it. Only use 4x4 in low range to back a trailer uphill or exercise it every couple months. Thoughts?

 

[SNGLESHOT]

I am no expert at all. However I think the 15,000 mile interval for diff fluid changes is designed for someone like you who pulls a heavy trailer all the time. I havent changed my diff fluid for several stupid reasons over the past three years. I rarely pull my camper trailer due to work demands and I am the worlds biggest procrastinator. Out of sight, out of mind. That being said... when I finally did get around to changing the fluid out... (84,000 miles) it looked like it was brand new inside that differential. There was No grit or metal filings found like some of the guys talk about either. I refilled with the GL-35 syn 75-90 for both differentials.
I don't recommend anybody following MY interval but my point is that I dont think it would hurt your front end not following 15 k intervals for the very reasons you pointed out. Just my opinion of course. I will be changing my diff fluids sooner than before however.

 

[steved]

If you're not towing in 4WD, I see no reason not to extend the front differential change.

 

[TCDiesel]

15k is just to soon . . even with severe use. Again (PP) personal preference.

 

[NIsaacs]

If you're not towing in 4WD, I see no reason not to extend the front differential change.

I agree, unless you spend time four wheeling in the swamps like my three boys always did After they left and quit driving my stuff, I change all gear boxes at 36,000 miles except my front axle, I change it at 100,000 but I almost never use 4x4 and live in an arid area. If I drove in the rain a lot I would change sooner. I always say, keep it clean and full they will last a long time.



Nick

 

[Jim W]

I changed both the front and rear diff's at 15K miles for the first diff oil change. Cleaned out the diff's, there was a small amount of debris in the pumpkin which is normal. I then installed Mag-Hytec covers and Amsoil gear oil in the diff's front and rear. I will be changing the diff fluid at 45K mile intervals after that.

I tow my 5er in the camping season and put on about 10K miles in towing. Then just drive the truck as a second vehicle putting another 5K miles on the truck.

Jim W.

 

[mfrost]

The oil in the rear diff looked great with and with a new smell. It only had a thin grey film on the maganet. The book says that a friction modifier is not needed but from my experience it eliminates the noise produced when starting off in a turn with 11k behind you. I think I will do a taste test of the diff oils every time I change the engine oil and go from there depending on my driving habits and if I tow much in over 100 degrees. Mostly tow in fall, winter and spring. Thinking 30k on the rear and 50k on the front if not more change interval.

 

[steved]

Not that I tow heavy by any means, but I ran the last fill out 100k, this fill has about 40k, and the shortest interval I've ran so far was about 25k (oil did turn ugly in that interval). The front hasn't been changed in over 200k, but I rarely have the hubs locked in either. I also had to run LSD modifier with the current fill to eliminate shudder.



I typically run it by the visible condition, I don't buy into the short recommended change interval. The truck sits with about 265k on the clock.