Preventative Maintenance Videos

[rbattelle]

Pardon me if I'm not the first to think of this...



With the new 3rd gen trucks it seems like there's been a surge in new users here. Many of them are people who are not accustomed to performing their own preventative maintenance. Wouldn't it be cool if the TDR (or someone) sponsored an effort to make an instructional preventative maintenance DVD? It could show someone with a good "TV" face performing:



Oil + Filter change

Chassis lubrication

Fuel Filter change

Front/Rear differential fluid change

Transmission fluid change



Perhaps each of these would need to be demonstrated on a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen truck?



Might be really really useful for some first time owners! Maybe instead of a DVD it could just be provided as a link for members only here at the TDR so people could download the entire thing.



-Ryan

 

[TAllen]

Ryan, good idea. I just spent 30 min. figureing how to drain the front and rear axles, NO DRAIN PLUG . I guess you suck it out, thats what I did. Now I have to figure out how to change the fuel filter, it looks like a bear. I did a search but couldn't find an explaination. ( $34,000 and no drain plug, unbelieveable)



Tim

 

[rbattelle]

Usually the procedure for changing differential fluid is to remove the cover. The gaskets on your truck are reuseable, so you don't even need a new gasket or any RTV.



Do a quick search in the 3rd gen forum on "fuel filter change"... you'll get some very good advice!!



-Ryan

 

[dodge cummins]

i agree there needs to be a instructional video on preventative maintenence on these trucks. right now all you have is the class at carson dodge in neveda. i don't think i am going to drive from jersey all the way out west for a 2 hour class and then come home. i contacted the gentlemen that instructs the class to maybe put it on video about a month ago but he only said that he can mail me the handouts for the class only.

 

[DEickhoff]

I think this is a great idea. I've had my truck for about a year now and still am uneasywhen doing maintenance (more scared I'll muck something up) so a video would be great. I read everything I can get my hands onto to learn but seeing is even better.



dawna

 

[WBusa]

Hey, maybe I could be the model for the "don't do it this way" part of the transmission fluid change section of the video. I just did it for the first time last week... ended up with ATF streaming down my arms, my face, in my hair, all over the garage floor. YECCCHH, what a mess. Had a few choice words for the bean-counter at Chrystler who decided a drain plug wasn't necessary. Gotta get me a Mag-Hytec on the transmission, too.

 

[TAllen]

I just drilled a 3/8 hole in the trans. pan to drain the oil, then pluged it with one of those screw in plugs they use for water tanks :-laf

 

[MABurns]

Usually the procedure for changing differential fluid is to remove the cover. The gaskets on your truck are reuseable, so you don't even need a new gasket or any RTV.

I am annoyed because the exact same AAM axle on the GM trucks has the bottom drain plug!

 

[rbattelle]

Personally I think it's good to remove the cover. Then I can inspect the differential for wear.

 

[Neibe]

I'll second that.

 

[Joe G.]

If anyone makes a video you should include brake system PM too.

 

[Jefff929]

Hey, maybe I could be the model for the "don't do it this way" ...

I bet you could make a complete set of don't do this _______:-laf

 

[john3976]

I think the transmission is the one item that we are not properly equiped to service on our own.



The reason is there are now machines that completely flush all of the fluid in the transmission, where when we do it on our own we are missing a lot of fluid, almost 1/3 of what is in the transmission.



Now if you have access to one of those nice machines that flush the system go for it, but I would feel much better getting all of the old fluid out.



Just my two cents.

 

[rbattelle]

I think the transmission is the one item that we are not properly equiped to service on our own.

Great reason to buy a 6-speed! [Sorry, couldn't resist].



I rebuilt an automatic once. I swear that thing leaked fluid even after I had it stripped down to a collection of clean parts and a big aluminum case. I'm convinced it was hiding fluid from me during the day and leaking it out slowly over night.



-Ryan