How Often Do You Guys Actually Change Differential Fluid?

[DieselFiend]

Yeah but sythetic is required in the new axles. Not so much in the older ones. Plus most of the 3rd gens have the anti-spin diff so they are a little different. Different enough to require sythetic.

 

[gsbrockman]

1st gen, 2nd gen or 3rd gen... it doesn't really matter. The axles are the same basic design.

... ... ... ... ... . and I'm quite sure 3rd GEN owners can't find 75W90 or 75W140 GL5 Full Synthetic for $35--$40 per 5 gal pail.

 

[05mxdiesel]

I do it in my current truck because I feel that I am very harsh on axles. Between the 20psi 4x4 launches, quick short drives in town, and moisture, and the fact I have 3 or 4 cases on the shelf, its just makes me feel good to know its clean and fresh.

Must be nice. I just seen that Amsoil upped their price on most of their oils. Of course this doesn't stop me from using their products. I can understand moisture but 20 psi 4x4 launches will do more detrimental things than wear fluid. :-laf

 

[rbattelle]

15k.



Thinking of switching to 30k.



Ryan

 

[Bertram65]

1st gen, 2nd gen or 3rd gen... it doesn't really matter. The axles are the same basic design.

Not really, the 2nd gen are Dana with a clutch based limited slip, the 3rd gen are AAM with a gear based limited slip.

Did they reconmend 15k fluid changes for the Dana axles?

 

[cojhl2]

heh heh,, maybe once in the lifetime of ownership or if it needs working on.



Auto Trans a different story,, I change every couple of years.

 

[Bertram65]

changed at 15k with amsoil and will change the rear every 50k and possible 75k on the front. Amsoil suggests 100k normal duty and 50k severe service for the 75w90 severe gear. 15k to 30k is excessive and gets expensive on a good synthetic lube unless your towing extremely heavy all the time.

How can take the reconmendations of a oil company for changes intervals? How much research have they done on the AAM differentials and what they require?

 

[steved]

Not really, the 2nd gen are Dana with a clutch based limited slip, the 3rd gen are AAM with a gear based limited slip.

Did they reconmend 15k fluid changes for the Dana axles?

Umm, actually the 3rd gen's AAM does utilize clutches, they are called "shoes"...



steved

 

[lil red cummins]

worked on school buses for 7 years earlier in my career. many of our buses were over 10 years of age and over 100,000 miles.



mix of mostly stop & go and a little highway.



never ONCE did we change diff oil and never ONCE did we loose a gear in one of our 34 buses. and this was on regular 90w oil.



also worked on untold volume of cars and trucks of all ages and mileage some up to 700,000 miles.



quite honestly, i have NEVER changed differential oil just to change it. it normally was done during a seal replacement.



i think the race to change differential oil is a little over done for all but those that push their trucks to the limit.



for me, i will probably do it on my truck at 50,000 just to see what all the hype is about.



just my . 02



jim

 

[steved]

i think the race to change differential oil is a little over done for all but those that push their trucks to the limit.

I agree. 99% of us only use our trucks as a cars to commute anyway... not like we are severely loading the differential driving to work...



steved

 

[nickleinonen]

every 2 years for diffs, trans, t-case. .

engine every 6 months



[i don't rack up the distance on my truck]

 

[Regcabguy]

Thanks to the wrenchers!

worked on school buses for 7 years earlier in my career. many of our buses were over 10 years of age and over 100,000 miles.



mix of mostly stop & go and a little highway.



never ONCE did we change diff oil and never ONCE did we loose a gear in one of our 34 buses. and this was on regular 90w oil.



also worked on untold volume of cars and trucks of all ages and mileage some up to 700,000 miles.



quite honestly, i have NEVER changed differential oil just to change it. it normally was done during a seal replacement.



i think the race to change differential oil is a little over done for all but those that push their trucks to the limit.



for me, i will probably do it on my truck at 50,000 just to see what all the hype is about.



just my . 02



jim

These are the posts that indicate real world experiences,from the guys who wrench for a living. Thank you.

 

[rbattelle]

i think the race to change differential oil is a little over done for all but those that push their trucks to the limit.

I also agree. But the 15k interval is addicting. Especially with DC brainwashing us into thinking it's necessary.



Every 15k I think, "but what if... ".



Ryan

 

[steved]

I do know that these AAMs run H-O-T!!! Hot enought to eventually cause the paint to peel off the cover...



I think a magtec or PML cover would be a good addition for someone that tows... I so bad want a laser thermometer to gauge how hot the rear diff is after say 150 miles...



steved

 

[Bachant]

Every 30,000 miles.

 

[CRuth]

I plan on doing my soon (25k) just because I wonder what crap is leftover from the factory. After that probably 50k seems fine, UNLESS, I go through deep water. Many years ago when I young, I stuck my old dodge in mud. Never checked the rear end till I heard a strange noise. That cost me $1800 to repair.

 

[DPKetchum]

I talked by phone to one of the head gurus at AAM about a shudder issue. Any way HE brought up the service interval and it was AAMs advise to service at 15k not D. C. . He stated the reason being was these trucks were built to work and tow a lot. To them that was severe use and 15k was what was needed to make diffs last in that kind of situation. He also stated that they discussed drain plugs and went with the reuseable gasket so the cover would be removed and the bottom of the diffs wiped out to remove depris.

 

[cruiser_2]

well I hate to admit it but mine has 489,000 in it and has not been changed, sample still shows good semi clear and no appreciable odor... may change it soon