grey rearend oil @2k miles

[DBentley]

Opened the rear end plug today and stuck in my finger and out came a lite grey colored finger tip. It smelled like clean gear oil but was not clear like the front is? Mabey because its limited slip it runs a bit different than the front?

Or am i in trouble

 

[roperteacher]

Hey there, your not in trouble!! My brand new 06 rear diff fluid looked like that with 200 miles on it!! Grey usually means water contamination. I bought my truck from a dealer who had traded for it from a dealer on the coast. The ocean air had snuck in there probably thru the vent tube. I immediatly changed it out and put Amsoil in it and has been fine ever since. Just service it and get it out of there. . Oo.

 

[Buffalo]

You're not in trouble. They're all like that. I believe it's a compound that they put on the gear teeth to help them seat, initially. It's not moisture.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[roperteacher]

Way cool, makes me feel better but when I posted the same findings here on TDR when my truck was new I was told it was moisture, but better yet!!!

 

[South Dakota]

I bought my truck in Nebreska, a looonnnggg way from any water. Changed the fluid at 3,400 miles and it was also grey. I did notice some very fine reflections when the sunlight hit the fluid so its a good thing to change it. Clean and clear ever since. Inncidently my fathers 06 quad was the same way.

 

[sag2]

It is from the gear marking paste they use to check the gear pattern during assembly. Completely normal.

 

[Cal Brewin]

Same here, changed @ 14,950, grey. I used a 50/50 mix of Redline 75W90, and 75W90 NS.

 

[DBentley]

Thanks so much for info on why the fluid looked grey. (had nitemares of truck at dealer for a month to get new rearend).

Saved me a trip to the dealer and a day or more for them to look at it.

I will run it up to 3k and change it out with the good stuff.

 

[JFlagg]

If it was moisture, it would be milky, not gray. Kinda tan looking, and it doesn't feel slippery at all if you put your finger in it.

 

[TowPro]

15000 miles, mine was a little gray also.