Rear Differential Service Interval

[mxaaron]

The manual says 15k service interval. This sure seems excessive to me.



I am at (or should say a little over) the first service interval, and see that they also recommend the front differential for service also.



I have plans on putting a Mag-Hytec or something to that effect on so that I can service myself.



My 01 had an standard service interval, and a heavy service interval, but this truck doesn't differentiate between duty cycles.



I am going to service it, but has anyone had any advice on how crucial it is to stick to the 15k service interval?

 

[ata]

I would do the 15000 miles to get the wear and brake-in metals out of it. Then go longer after that. If the truck sits a lot or short trips or pulls heavy a lot then I would go 25000 miles. If it's driven a lot and over 25 mile trips but empty then 50000 miles. But that's my opinion.

 

[Edgemann55]

I run the PML covers on my diffs with Amsoil in both. There fluids are rated to go 50K severe duty,100K light duty. I know there are guys here that have gone 100K plus before changing out and thet said it looked fine. Changed mine at 50K and it looked great. 15 thousand is a joke IMHO. Just another way for the *******'s to get $. Like the 3K oil change-LOL.

 

[AH64ID]

I did mine at 15K, went with Amsoil and now do it every 15K. I have a MH rear installed, and MH front going on this next fluid change.

I beleive the owners manual stats never change it for schedule "A" and 15K for schedule "B"

 

[mpaulson]

I put on a PML pan for the capacity and the drain plug. I do mine every spring before camping season starts which amounts to about every 32,000 KM'S which is about 20,000miles. Oil is cheap compared to the alternate and I like the peace of mind while traveling.

I use a screen in the fullel that I drain into and as long as I don't see anything that scares me in the screen or on the magnet, I'm happy. I also do the transmission at the same time and the transfer case/front diff every other year.

 

[HBarlow]

I have had Mag-Hytec covers on the differential of my '06 and '08. I changed the differential lube on the '06 the first time at 25k and it came out clean so I extended the interval to 50k and it was fine. The differential was as quiet as new at 230k when I sold it. My '08 was serviced today at 100k, it's second service, and came out clean as new.

The 15k may be more appropriate with the factory cover. The MH cover almost doubles fluid content and keeps it cooler. 15k service is hepful for the dealer's service department profit and loss statement bottom lines.

 

[mxaaron]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I figured as much but sometimes it's nice to have others confirm your suspicions.



I'm going to keep on truckin.

 

[Cosmo]

I changed my rear at 60k and it was clean as new... it may have been changed when I bought it at 45k. Running full synthetic I don't really see a reason to do the 15k mile changes unless you're beating the snot out of them. My 86 W250 with Dana 44/60 never looked that good and I ended up changing the fluids a lot more often. I think the tolerances and materials are a LOT better now.

 

[RVTRKN]

Has anybody had the oil analyzed, to see what the actual oil has in it per wear like some do with the engine oil?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Its such a cheap and easy thing to do, why not change it per the recommended interval? Its like a 15 minute job!

 

[TulsaOkie]

50k using Amsoil has not failed me yet... after 355k the proof is in the pudding. No signs of metal or wear...

 

[AH64ID]

Its such a cheap and easy thing to do, why not change it per the recommended interval? Its like a 15 minute job!

There is nothing I would call cheap about it! Thou I do run amsoil and have a MH cover. . It's over $10qt. It is rated for 50K severe and 100K normal service.

 

[Regcabguy]

I drained my rear diff @ 9K in order to install a Mag- Hytec. The fluid was jet black like our engine oil and stunk to high heaven. Replaced with Amsoil Severe Gear 75-90. At 34K now the Amsoil looks like honey.

 

[KYOUNG]

I bought a 94 4x4 new and changed the factory synthetic at 200k miles, it looked as clean as the Amsoil i put back in it!!