Question about rearend lub for new 05 3500, help

[DMcGalliard]

I have about 8000 miles on my truck and I am getting ready to pull my 14k fifth wheel up the east coast, I81. Checked the rearend fluid level, the plug was coated, 1/8" thick and the fluid was real gray with real fines in it. The level was about a quart low. Concerned about the condition of the fluid.



Questions?? Should I be worried? Should I drain and change the fluid or take it to the dealer?

I have not noticed any noise and I was careful during the break-in until I had 2500 miles before I towed the fifth wheel, have towed the fifth wheel since 2500miles. I changed the fluid in my 98 and did not notice this problem.

Your input will be helpful??



Thanks, Davem

 

[Cryppie]

I'd get your truck into your dealer at the earliest opportunity. If there is a problem, it's documented in your service record, and at the very least they can (and should) annotate that you had low fluid level and metal particulate. Yours isn't the first truck I've heard that was delivered with low fluid levels, and it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially with 14k rolling behind you. One good point about the new AAM axles over your '98 is the gasket is reusable. Good luck!

 

[BHolm]

Are you sure it was a quart low? The spec is 1/4" below the plug if I am not mistaken. I don't think I would rush to the dealer. All they will do is change the fluid and send you down the road until something actually breaks. For what they will charge you for fluid and labor, I would do it myself and document that you changed the fluid at xxxx miles. Remember, you have a 70k mile warranty on the axle, so there is no huge rush. It is pretty unlikely that you have any actual damage, and if you pull the cover to drain the oil, you will get a first hand look at the internals anyway.



Has the truck been in deep water? If it is really light grey there may have been some water contamination. Some metal is normal wear in and you will probably see some everytime you do a change.



Be sure to use a good synthetic oil, and no you do not have to buy it from the dealer. If you can get your hands on some in time for the trip I would run Amsoil. I have it in all of my pulling pick-ups for hundreds of thousands of miles and have always been satisfied.

 

[bombero]

Ya, go to your DC friendly dealer. I would get some of the fluid out and show them what is in there. Make sure that they doc what you have. If you dont they will change it and send you on the road. PS Take two samples and keep one with the time and date on it.

 

[DMcGalliard]

Pulled the cover on the 05

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses, I pulled the cover and replaced the fluid. The cover has a really good reuseable gasket, so it was not much trouble. The old fluid was almost black but the gears looked ok. I will run it and hope for the best and keep an eye on the fluid. If I lived near Tomygun I would take it in.

Very happy with the truck other than this problem. By the way I checked the fluid in the front axle and it was clear as water, but it did have gunk on the plug.



Thanks, Davem

 

[DMcGalliard]

Pulled the rearend cover on the 05

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses, I pulled the cover and replaced the fluid. The cover has a really good reusable gasket, so it was not much trouble. The cap bolts are cheap and were put in to stay, you need a good grip on them to not damage the bolt head. Had to get one out with a vise grip. The old fluid was almost black but the gears looked ok. There was minor amount of particles, I have seen more out of the 98 auto. I will run it and hope for the best and keep an eye on the fluid.

If I lived near Tommygun I would take it in. Very happy with the truck other than this problem. By the way I checked the fluid in the front axle and it was clear as water, but it did have gunk on the plug.



Thanks, Davem

 

[Texasrattler]

The cover on my 04 11. 5 has a scribed oil level mark that is an inch below the hole. Supposidly, if it's overfilled it causes foaming. There is a lot of flaming going on about this subject. I do know that my dealer only uses 75W140 now. They say they had too many failures with 75W90.



Pete

 

[mconstable]

The first time I had mine changed, the mechanic said he was surprised at how much stuff was in there, but it's been clean since, getting ready to do it agagin, and I'll post how clean it is at 45,000 miles