Rear axle service.

[GBergen]

Made this today.... (based on the FSM excerpt about using a coat hanger or Zip-Tie)... Interesting, I put her down (off the lift) and after sitting, both axles were ~ 1/4" below the fill hole........... so perfect!

So based on my "checking and confirmation study", I think I will start selling them... $2.49.. , but wait.... I'll send ya a second one free!!!! (just pay separate shipping and handling)..

View attachment 130955

I like the tool and may "borrow" your design! I'll give it back when I'm done..
Fill level presumes your truck is on level ground. My driveway has a pitch to it and I can't get enough of the truck in the garage to get it level, the truck is too tall.
the road has a significant crown to it. Sheesh, I'll have to go to the school parking lot that is mostly level. I hope they don't mind my doing maintenance there!

BTW, I had a local service manager tell me this about my 2004: " Tool much oil in the differential will cause it to foam up." Any truth to that?

 

[GBergen]

One more question...
I'd like to confirm that if Amzoil severe gear is used, the replacement schedule doesn't change, RIGHT?

$150 per rear diff change for Amzoil isn't chump change to some folks. ( and that doesn't include the friction modifier)

 

[AH64ID]

One more question...
I'd like to confirm that if Amzoil severe gear is used, the replacement schedule doesn't change, RIGHT?

$150 per rear diff change for Amzoil isn't chump change to some folks. ( and that doesn't include the friction modifier)

Amsoil rates their fluid for 50K miles severe and 100K miles normal. In my 05 I ran it 50K miles and on my 03 4Runner I go 100K miles. The fluid always looks great.

The factory service interval is pretty inconsistent, IMO... 20K miles for regular towing and never if you don't tow.... You could probably get away with 40-50K mile changes and keep warranty happy unless you tow very frequently.

 

[GBergen]

Amsoil rates their fluid for 50K miles severe and 100K miles normal. In my 05 I ran it 50K miles and on my 03 4Runner I go 100K miles. The fluid always looks great.

The factory service interval is pretty inconsistent, IMO... 20K miles for regular towing and never if you don't tow.... You could probably get away with 40-50K mile changes and keep warranty happy unless you tow very frequently.

Thanks for the quick reply, John!
The truck is at 19450 so it's time for the first diff change. That's probably towing at between 16 to 17000 miles of that.
I had the engine oil changed at Dillon's on the blvd and they put a sticker on the window that was about 1/2 of the RAM recommended interval. They must be fishing for extra cash.

 

[SnoKing]

I took my RAM to Ron's Garage for the first diff fluid changes!! Things looked good and Amsoil was installed!!!! Of course you already knew what gear oil was going in! And yes that ring gear had 41 teeth!!! With 12 on the pinion!

 

[bcbender]

Fill level presumes your truck is on level ground.

Yeah... I'm spoiled and my shop is level inside and can fit several of these trucks.

Best of luck on your service, if you have to, go to a level spot, lot and put a level or angle finder in the truck bed and determine where (how much tip angle) the truck needs to be to be "level" then duplicate with jack and stands in your driveway.

 

[NIsaacs]

I am going to go off on Dodge/Ram methods of checking axle oil level Why does it have to be so difficult? Use a wire because it is uncouth to touch oil or not safe? Why is the 2500 procedure different than the 2500 Power Wagon or the 3500, all axles. Is the standard 2500 axle pinion angle different or is the cover different? This is how I do it with any gear box with a fill/level plug, including my 2500 Ram. Not a recommendation to you Ram owners, this is just me and has worked for the past 60 years.

 

[Wiredawg]

I am going to go off on Dodge/Ram methods of checking axle oil level Why does it have to be so difficult? Use a wire because it is uncouth to touch oil or not safe? Why is the 2500 procedure different than the 2500 Power Wagon or the 3500, all axles. Is the standard 2500 axle pinion angle different or is the cover different? This is how I do it with any gear box with a fill/level plug, including my 2500 Ram. Not a recommendation to you Ram owners, this is just me and has worked for the past 60 years.

View attachment 135085

Me too. Never in 50 years of driving ever had a problem.

 

[AH64ID]

Bizarre that there is a difference, as all SO motors get the 11.5” rear axle regardless of the truck.

Power wagons have different carriers and likely different pinion angle.

2500’s don’t come standard with a LSD, but 3500’s do.

None of that really should make a big difference on the fluid level.

 

[Ozymandias]

I took my RAM to Ron's Garage for the first diff fluid changes!! Things looked good and Amsoil was installed!!!! Of course you already knew what gear oil was going in! And yes that ring gear had 41 teeth!!! With 12 on the pinion!

View attachment 135074

Very very nice pattern, that gear set is setup just perfect!

 

[NIsaacs]

Bizarre that there is a difference, as all SO motors get the 11.5” rear axle regardless of the truck.

Power wagons have different carriers and likely different pinion angle.

2500’s don’t come standard with a LSD, but 3500’s do.

None of that really should make a big difference on the fluid level.

I agree and it drives me crazy I can't understand why Dodge/Ram makes it so complicated. The axle manufactures fill instructions are plain and simple and are used in multiple applications. For sure, the fill plug location is not changed for every application. They say fill the sucker to the bottom of the fill hole.

Some copy and paste info from Dana lubrication service manual.

Note: Dana mentions different application capacities depending on install angles. Not that the fill plug location is changed to accommodate the application.

"Remove the filler hole plug from the side of the carrier and fill the axle with the approved lubricant until level with the bottom of the hole"

"Always use the filler hole as the final reference. If lube is level with the bottom of the hole, the axle is properly filled."

"Note: Lube fill capacities are basic guidelines and will vary based on the angle the axle is installed in a particular chassis. Torque fill plug to 40–60 lbs. ft. (54–82 N•m).

 

[NIsaacs]

To add and continue my rant

My '01 Dodge 2500 manual says to fill the rear axle to 3/4" below the fill plug, plus or minus 1/4". It doesn't say which axle. I think the 2500 used the Dana 60-70 and 80 depending on power unit and transmission. 3/4" low minus 1/4", means 1 inch low is acceptable.....

Then on my '21 2500 it is worse. They use 4/5" below the fill pug and plus or minus 1/4" How do you add or subtract fifths and quarters Without getting into a math class, pretty sure 4/5" and 1/4" is over an inch low, yet that is acceptable??? Not to me isn't, grrr....

 

[AH64ID]

Don't do math, just use the metric conversion

I wonder if the cover is different?

 

[NIsaacs]

Don't do math, just use the metric conversion

I wonder if the cover is different?

Parts list two for the 2500 w/Cummins, 68458238AA or 68458937AB, the 3500 lists just one, the 68458937AB. I don't understand what all the letters mean in the descriptions, there is probably an indicator there.

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...filter=(E=ETL;T=DG7;M=Tradesman Crew Cab 4WD)

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...filter=(E=ETL;T=DG7;M=Tradesman Crew Cab 4WD)

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/parts/mopar-cover-kit-differential~68458937aa.html

 

[AH64ID]

They are axle codes for both 11.5" and 12.0" axles, which makes sense as the axle housing is the same on both.

Best I can figure is

DRQ: SRW 11.5"
DRX: DRW 11.5"
DR7: SRW 12.0"
DRC: DRW 12.0"

DME: 3.73's
DMF: 4.10's

DS8: Open diff
DSA: LSD
DSE: e-locker's

So my truck would be a DR7/DME/DSA.

Power Wagon uses 68458238AA
Everything else uses 68458937AA, but that was superseded by 68458937AB.. which is no longer available.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have always filled til the fluid ran out of the hole with no issues.

 

[bcbender]

I have always filled til the fluid ran out of the hole with no issues.

Me too... just trying to follow the warranty on this one.