had differential service today - help!!!!

[mr plow]

today i had fluid changed in both front and rear diff's. first dealer put dion fluid in, then i made him change it, but tech put lsd additive in rear diff without consulting me. am i going to have any problems? the other thing that ****** me off was that they sealed diffs with silicone instead of the gaskets, and it is really sloppy. i will go back next week after the storm and have them do it properly. I am not going to run into any problems am

I? any help would be appreciated.

 

[y-knot]

I believe they did everything right, the axles don't use gaskets anymore, seems ATV is the new trend. They could have been a little more conscientious and cleaned up the rear after they were done, but have they didn't. I have always waited 24 hours before filling the axle with gear oil, that is also the way the manual I have states it should be done.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That's why I always do my own servicing as much as possible - the the mechanics, it's just another truck to check off the days work orders - as fast as possible - to ME, it's my baby, and I'll take as long as it needs to get the job done rignt!

 

[y-knot]

You are absolutely RIGHT, and that to is why I do all my work. When I am working on MY truck, It is the most important thing happening at that moment in time, and there is know one I could take it to that would feel that way. And probably know one that would know as much.

 

[frijole]

Diff Service

mr plow:

I haven't been into my '03 diffs yet, but I understand they, (AAM axles), have re-usable gaskets. Haven't heard of anyone having a sealing problem after servicing. I also emailed, called AAM on the use of lubricants that already contain LSD additives, (namely Royal Purple), and what effect, if any, will that element have on a diff which doesn't require it for proper LS operation. I never got a straight answer, and even got in their face about that fact. My guess is it probably doesn't matter if the lube contains LSD additive. I hope you at least got the proper weight lube installed. My . 02 worth. Ron

 

[Prairie Dog]

Make them give you new gaskets because they are indeed reusable - kind of a flat o-ring affair, very nicely designed. The LSD additive shouldn't hurt anything, it just shows they didn't know what they were doing.

 

[Hunter1]

When they changed mine, they put on new gaskets, said they don't like to use the old, minimal charge for new



Hunter1

 

[CTDCAL]

The gaskets are reuasable and are very good quality. No leaks here after changing the fluid myself. I don't think the additive will hurt anything, however make sure they put in the proper wt. synthetic fluid. That is B. S. that they used silicone and probably tossed your good gaskets in the trash! What morons, they probably used an airgun to reef the bolts down too, hope not, sorry for the sarcasm, it just steems me to hear about stuff like this.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Make them do it right

Now if they did that to me? I would make them change the oil out with the RIGHT oil and WITHOUT lsd additive. Personally I believe the friction modifier is detrimental to the proper operation of the brake shoes in the limited slip although I don't believe it will damage it. They would also replace the gasket with a new one AFTER cleaning the RTV off. Sounds like the tech doesn't knows what he is doing.



Like proctologists, some mechanics keep up to date on the latest, some don't. Which would you want working on your rear end? FWIW

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: Make them do it right

Originally posted by Casey Balvert

Like proctologists, some mechanics keep up to date on the latest, some don't. Which would you want working on your rear end? FWIW

:-laf :-laf Well said, Casey. That is true about the wrenches keeping up with the product, it is also true of many of us. The old ideas are hard to change.



Dean

 

[Bertram65]

I thought I have read here that the diff cover bolts bottom out in the diff so they cannot be over tightened causing the cover to warp. Although you can snap the heads off the bolts if you over tighten them. I would think without the gasket, it would not be tight enough, the gasket is some type of rubber not paper or cardboard. I have removed mine and reused it without any problem. Isn't the purpose of the friction modifier to increase the clutch packs ability to grab by somehow decreasing the lubricants ability to allow the clutches to slip? It must be ok for gears and bearings so I would not think it would cause any problem in the 3rd gen rear ends even with the LS.

 

[VStahl]

diff fluid changed last weekend

I changed my differential fluid in both the front and rear axel this last weekend. Reused the gaskets and have absolutely no leaks. It was the first time that i have ever changed Axel Fluid and it went smoothly without a problem.

When you channge your fluid be sure to use a torque wrench to be sure to not over titghten the bolts.

 

[Dean Upson]

How much torque did you tighten them up to?



Dean

 

[Rosco]

Mr Plow,



I would have your dealer change out that fluid ASAP. If you had silicone all over the outside of your cover just imagine whats on the inside (silicone worms) .



Also, on the second try did your dealer use the proper 75w90 synthetic or did they use the synthetic 75w140 that is specified for the 2nd generation trucks?



It's a shame that these 3rd gen truck's have been around for over a year and some dealers still don't know how to service them properly. That's one reason why I bought a case Amsoil and did the job myself.

 

[VStahl]

torqued to 30 pounds

Dean,

I had read in several posts after doing a search that 30 pounds was what to torque it to so that is what I did. Seems to have been correct, I did not have any trouble or leaks.

Vern

 

[Spooled-up]

Correct me if I'm wrong,

I just did this service myself the other day front and rear. The gaskets are very thick and sturdy, so if Bertram65 is correct, they would have to use a lot of silicone.

Also, I believe the reason these axles don't need the additive is that there are no clutch packs. It's all gears in there.

I'd definately get the dealer to get you some new gaskets as the next time you need to change the fluid, you'll probably want to use them.

I'd be worried about the silicone in the diff as Rosco stated.



That's pretty sad that the dealer totally botched the job. When you think about it, he did everything wrong. Wrong fluid (additive and non synthetic), threw away good gaskets, Used RTV when it says right in the Service Manual not to, and did a sloppy job to top it all off. I hope they didn't have that five star flag up on the wall, I'm losing all faith in that whole rating system.

 

[GLolas]

So when serving the diffs. , how much gear oil does it take to refill to the proper levels. I have an SO with an a/t so its 10. 5 back there. Not sure what is up front?

 

[mr plow]

THANKS GUYS FOR ALL YOUR RESPONSES

IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ANAL ONE. i BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF MY TRUCK, BUT IN TURN, I ALSO SERVICE IT PROPERLY. The dealer is aware of the incorrect fluid, and has agreed to perform a third fluid change, and at that time, i will make sure that they use gaskets. you should see the mess the silicone made, it was the sloppiest job i ever saw. thank god i havent paid for it yet. also, they wanted 31 bucks for each bottle of fluid. unbelieveable. Also, its a 5 star dealer.





you guys are the greatest.



thanks again.



Oren.





p. s. - what was the total fluid you guys used in both axles, and what weight?

 

[rbattelle]

I used 4 quarts in back (about 1/4 inch below fill hole), and 3 quarts up front (running out the fill hole). I used 75w-90 full synthetic as recommended.

 

[FParlee]

Gentlemen,



My first even Ram/CTD should be here next week. So I know not what I speak of... ... .....



But, what is the diff. change interval on the 3rd Gen trucks? Everyone is talking about changing their diff oil on 03' trucks. Are these super hi mileage trucks? Shouldn't it last for a few years?



HELP!!??