Rear Axle Fluid Change

[Cummins2014]

Just completed my rear axle fluid change. A website I was looking at called for 8.3 pints. I bought 5 quarts.

My 2014 3500 has a Fluid level line on the outside of the cover, now not sure what thats all about, or how one could possibly use that mark, makes no sense to me, I guess make a dip stick ??

Anyway I removed the cover, cleaned everything up, replaced the cover, dumped in 4 quarts, and the level was just below the fill hole, well above that fluid level mark. Tip of my finger reached the oil level not far below the fill hole. I am thinking to much more ,and it would have been running out the fill hole, which is usually what I have always done on previous trucks ,filled to the top of the fill hole.

Any thoughts on this fluid level line, and the 4 quarts filling it up past that line . Thanks for any insight.

 

[Bob4x4]

The fill line is the level it should be at.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My aluminum cover has no line. I fill to the bottom of the fill hole.

 

[Cummins2014]

The fill line is the level it should be at.

Thats got to be quite a bit less then even the 4 quarts. The original fill from the factory, I checked before changing, and it was well above that mark, I could just barely put the tip of my finger in the fill hole ,and reach the oil level. This 4 quarts I put in, was also right at that level, above that fill mark.

This is not making sense, the capacity is supposed to be 8.3 pints, thats just over 4 quarts ,thats well above that fill mark at just 4 quarts . Is it even possible to reach the fluid level with your finger at that fill mark. So what amount of fluid would it take to fill to just the fill line ???? Something is not adding up here .

 

[Cummins12V98]

Lube was still in the axle bearing areas after draining. Your level is fine.

 

[Cummins2014]

My aluminum cover has no line. I fill to the bottom of the fill hole.

This fill line is not making sense, compared to the capacity of the axle .Could your aluminum cover allow for more fluid, and maintain that level ??

 

[Cummins12V98]

From what I have read the aluminum cover has the same capacity.

I’m ok putting 11 2/3 qts in a 12 qt engine! It puts me right on the full mark.

I just add diff fluid til it pours out the hole then put the plug in. I consider that the full mark also.

 

[Cummins2014]

From what I have read the aluminum cover has the same capacity.

I’m ok putting 11 2/3 qts in a 12 qt engine! It puts me right on the full mark.

I just add diff fluid til it pours out the hole then put the plug in. I consider that the full mark also.

Gotta smile on that one

 

[Jim W]

I have a third gen truck but I believe we have the same axle size for an SRW truck. Unless you have the HO truck with the larger axle size. Nothing is in your signature to tell us what you have.
I use 7.5 quarts every time I change my fluid in the rear axle. The Mag-Hytec cover has more fluid capacity over a stock axle cover. The cover is AL and finned, plus there is a drain plug with a magnetic installed to allow the fuzz to be captured. The fill plug has a dip stick for checking the fluid level. The Mag-Hytec cover that are sold by Geno's garage has a slight gage installed to check the fluid level. Very easy to confirm the correct level for the rear differential.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I do believe that the MagHytec has you run fluid level higher than OE.

I have owned two MH's and have the one setting on my shelf for my 11 HO DRW that's for sale it even has the Geno's exclusive sight lense.

I still removed the MH every time I changed the fluid to keep an eye on the gears.

 

[Cummins2014]

The fill line is the level it should be at.

I have a third gen truck but I believe we have the same axle size for an SRW truck. Unless you have the HO truck with the larger axle size. Nothing is in your signature to tell us what you have.
I use 7.5 quarts every time I change my fluid in the rear axle. The Mag-Hytec cover has more fluid capacity over a stock axle cover. The cover is AL and finned, plus there is a drain plug with a magnetic installed to allow the fuzz to be captured. The fill plug has a dip stick for checking the fluid level. The Mag-Hytec cover that are sold by Geno's garage has a slight gage installed to check the fluid level. Very easy to confirm the correct level for the rear differential.

Maybe you mean 7.5 pints, if I poured in 7.5 quarts ,after 4.5 it would be running out the fill hole.

As I said 4 quarts filled mine to just below the fill hole, and well above the fill mark on the cover. If I was to maintain the fluid level to the fill mark on the cover, first I would need to make some kind dip stick, then I would have to measure the exact distance from that fill mark to the bottom of the drain hole, then mark the dip stick to get the proper level.

I would be curious to see what a dealer or whoever when someone brings in their Ram to have that rear axle serviced. My son took his in awhile back. I am going to check his ,and see where the old level is. His is the 2016 3500, mine is 2014 3500 both SRW ,should be the same axle.

Pretty crazy, all the trucks I have ever had, you added the oil until it was about to run out the fill hole, no guessing there, and you checked it by using a finger to see where the level was at, if you touched oil just inside the fill hole all was good . Now we got fill marks dip sticks whatever

I would like to hear from someone that has a stock fourth generation 3500 SRW , and changes their rear axle fluid, and how much they put in. If its much over the 4 quarts, then its going to be running out the fill hole, and above the fill mark. Putting in my trucks info, the Amsoil's website listed the 11.5 AA W/LSD axle capacity at 8.5 PINTS.

 

[Cummins2014]

I do believe that the MagHytec has you run fluid level higher than OE.

I have owned two MH's and have the one setting on my shelf for my 11 HO DRW that's for sale it even has the Geno's exclusive sight lense.

I still removed the MH every time I changed the fluid to keep an eye on the gears.

Do you remember on those trucks how much oil you were putting back in .

 

[Cummins12V98]

I put in most likely what he said as I remember the capacity nearly doubling with the MagHytec..

I helped SnoKing change his rear axle fluid to AMZ/OIL and it was filled to the bottom of the hole. I'm guessing his truck has not fallen apart yet???

 

[JR]

I've got a 14 3500 SRW. I honestly don't remember what it took but I filled to just beneath the hole, right or wrong. The oil is constantly in the axle tubes and I dont believe that little extra will ever in itself cause a leaking seal.

Unrelated but Can Am has been doing this for many years. Spec calls for 20 mm +/-5mm from bottom of hole. Well, keeping track of how much that is...11 whole ounces! This on a bike clearing 90hp. And in factory form they have been known to eat rear ends. So I just fill to the hole, which adds another 4+ ounces or roughly 35% more. I've never had any leaks resulting from over filling.

 

[Cummins2014]

I put in most likely what he said as I remember the capacity nearly doubling with the MagHytec..

I helped SnoKing change his rear axle fluid to AMZ/OIL and it was filled to the bottom of the hole. I'm guessing his truck has not fallen apart yet???

And that amount was what . Its apparent SnoKing will not share that with me, if so he would have already have done so. This seems to be a secret with some

 

[Learjet]

My aluminum cover has no line. I fill to the bottom of the fill hole.

I have the aluminum cover also...and it has a blue dot below the fill hole...@ 1/2"...is that the fill line?

 

[Learjet]

here is the blue dot on my cover...is that the fill line or min. level line?#ad
?

 

[Cummins2014]

here is the blue dot on my cover...is that the fill line or min. level line?#ad
?

Sure looks like this fluid level, amount to use etc is a bit of a mystery. Oh! well I tried to make sense of it . 143 views ,and no one knows

 

[JR]

143 views ,and no one knows

Bob, which happens to be a long time FCA employee, gave you the correct answer as far as the manufacturer is concerned. You have also been given lots of hands on feed back that, IMO prove the level isnt as critical as some make it out to believe. If you can not take the information provided and make your own educated decision, perhaps you would be better off taking your truck to a dealership and let them worry about such important matters

 

[Learjet]

I found this thread https://www.turbodieselregister.com...spec-fill-level-and-break-in-procedure.68166/

which says...

American Axles

Dodge Trucks are now using American Axles for 2003 and later. Please make sure your Service Department is using the correct lubricant and adhering to the correct fill levels.

These axles do not require Friction Modifier, but do require a special synthetic lubricant. According to American Axle, this 75W-90 lubricant part number listed below is a pure synthetic lubricant and does not contain Phosphates. This is different from the 75W-I40 that is used on DANA and Corporate Axles.

Please use Mopar Part # 05102232AA on all American Axles

Caution: Overfilling these Axles may result in lubricant foaming and overheating!

9. 25 Front: 1/4" +/- 1/4" (Total of 1/2" below fill hole)

10. 5 Rear: 3/4" +/- 1/4" (Total of l" below fill hole)

11. 5 Rear: 1/2" +/- 1/4" (Total of 3/4" below Fall hole)