Rear Diff Cover Torgue Setting

[muzzy]

Getting ready to change the diff fluid on my 03 3500 Dually Diesel 2 wheel drive and wondering what ft. lbs. the bolts should be set at and if there is a specific pattern for tightening.

 

[Ladders]

Book lists 30'#'s (40Nm) for torque but no specific pattern. I would use a criss-cross (as I did with the Mag cover when I put it on). Fill plug is: 24'#'s (32Nm).



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

That's too much for the M8 x 1. 25 bolts used with American Axles. About 15 ft lb is OK.

 

[draymorris]

Torque Spec

I just looked at a copy of the service manual that someone put on this site - I downloaded it (took about 20 min with DSL).



The manuel does show 30 ft/lbs for the bolts and 24 for the filler plug. Although, with the rubber reusable seal, I would rather error to the lesser side and just watch for leaks.

 

[muzzy]

Thanks for the replys think I will start with the lower and see how it goes. Funny I went into the 5 star dodge dealer to get the fluid it took the parts guy about 15 minutes and 3 calls to the service department to figure out what I needed. ended up costing me 20 per quart ouch! but I do alot of towing and would rather be safe in the long run.

 

[draymorris]

I would not pay for that mopar fluid! I went with Amsoil throughout my truck and gained 2 MPG (empty). Amsoil has a website and there are many dealers on TDR. I had mine changed at the dealer because I thought since the paint was peeling on the rear-end it had a problem. The tech removed the cover, sprayed the inside out with break parts cleaner, (you should have seen the grime that removed) and put it back together. Nothin to it. If you don't use Amsoil, I would still look into another sunthetic besides factory.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The diffs are designed really nice. There's a flat reusable seal around the cover so you don't have to scrape or apply silicone and the bolts bottom out to give the precise amount of compression on the gasket. You'll feel it when it's tight enough.