Rear differential service

[gsbrockman]

you guys can do what ever it is you feel right for yourself.

personally I think you overservice your differentials. but its you money. go for it.. last I have to say on the subject.

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[Cummins12V98]

I think we should all find out 6V9T2A's address and send him all our "lightly" used gear oil.

 

[MJWenrich]

So if the MOPAR fluid might be suspect is there something else better or at least as good without having to go to a dealer to get the oil?

 

[Cummins12V98]

There are skeptics but AMZ/OIL Severe Gear 75-90 or 75-110 if towing a lot has a VERY good reputation. I went 20K on my last run with Severe Gear with ZERO grabbing that I had at 17-18k with MOPAR.

 

[sourdough]

At 15,000 I changed to 500,000 Amsoil and a Magtech cover. I like over kill. Now at 30,000 right rear axle seal leaked and soaked pads and parking brake shoes. I've read on another forum some say the Magtech causes foaming and seal leaks. Made no sense to me.

 

[DaveHess]

Mine turns 15 years old today and I am a serial oil changer. I sleep better at night and it's my money I am wasting. I will keep this truck until the day I no longer need a pickup, or the day they take my license away or the day I die. Like I said, I sleep better at night. BTW, I run a MagHytec cover and Redline 75-140. Change every 20,000. I don't put a lot of cold weather miles on mine. Mostly summer and almost always when out in the summer, she's pulling something. Just rolled over 101,000.

 

[RBertalotto]

YIKES! 193,000 miles and never changed diff lube......Tow 50% of the time. Guess I should do it one of these days

 

[m37]

One thing I do is to remove the (magnetic) plugs regularly and clean off the debris so they can collect and hold more. Whether you change the oil or not.

 

[BarryG]

I dont know how the maghytec cover could cause leaks in the axle seal unless you overfilled it which you could do, probably same with the foaming. I know on my 01 never had a problem front or rear axle with over 350k on it when I sold it. I used the aforementioned amsoil 75-110 for at least 250k miles in it as well. Just ordered a case of it for the 17 the other day should be here today might go in this weekend if the weather cooperates.

 

[MegaLonghorn14]

BarryG:

Are you using the Amsoil 75-110 in front and rear? I am getting ready to put Mag-Hytec's on the front and back and would like to put the correct stuff in the first time. Towing about 75% of the time.

 

[Newsa]

At 15,000 I changed to 500,000 Amsoil and a Magtech cover. I like over kill. Now at 30,000 right rear axle seal leaked and soaked pads and parking brake shoes. I've read on another forum some say the Magtech causes foaming and seal leaks. Made no sense to me.

I think if there was foaming, it would be observed through the sight glass?

 

[BarryG]

I use it in both front and rear, have never seen a need to use a separate weight between the two (perhaps more a function of laziness of getting and stocking two different fluids) though you would probably be fine with 75-90 in the front.

 

[sourdough]

I think if there was foaming, it would be observed through the sight glass?

What sight glass Some models have a sight glass ?

 

[Newsa]

What sight glass Some models have a sight glass ?

I don't have the Mag Hytec. I have the AFE power diff cover. Like the AFE, I think the Mag Hytec has an optional sight glass. (But you have to purchase it separately.?)

You are suggesting a design flaw with the design of the Mag hytec. However, there are enough mag hytec owners with the sight glass to show there is no foaming and no design flaw with the Mag hytec.

 

[sourdough]

I don't have the Mag Hytec. I have the AFE power diff cover. Like the AFE, I think the Mag Hytec has an optional sight glass. (But you have to purchase it separately.?)

You are suggesting a design flaw with the design of the Mag hytec. However, there are enough mag hytec owners with the sight glass to show there is no foaming and no design flaw with the Mag hytec.

LOL, I said," I've read on another forum some say the Magtech causes foaming and seal leaks. Made no sense to me."

I don't believe any Mag-hytec covers have a sight glass.

 

[Newsa]

It's easier to overfill with the after market diff covers.

 

[6V92TA]

LOL, I said," I've read on another forum some say the Magtech causes foaming and seal leaks. Made no sense to me."

I don't believe any Mag-hytec covers have a sight glass.

to be honest, how can a splash lubrication system, whether overfilled, underfilled or at the correct level have a foaming problem, no matter the type of cover used?

 

[m37]

Only if the incorrect oil or additive was used

 

[KATOOM]

This thread is comical...

So many people up in arms about changing certain fluids like the differentials, but probably never look at other critical components so cautiously, like power steering lubricants. Replacing PS components are VERY expensive but how many people are swapping out their PS lube every 20k miles or sending fluid analysis reports to make sure their fluid is applicable...

A lubricants life is rated on heat and contaminants based on its values. That means the larger the stock capacity the life span of the fluid application will increase mainly because of the reduction in heat. This is why the larger diff covers are worth their money and why you dont see class 8 trucks getting their differential fluids swapped out every week. The type of lubricant used is always a factor too but generally speaking if its rated for the application then your safe.

When I started using my truck more for towing I was curious about the driveline conditions so I ran temperature sensors to the transmission and differential. Then after some real world driving I added transmission coolers and a Mag-Hytec diff cover.....replaced fluids and did a couple other things not worth mentioning right now. The results were impressive and helped me understand what the fluids were doing in there and how much stress I was or wasn't placing on the driveline at a given time. Drivelines components like differentials dont fail from use unless they're worn out (which can take forever depending on the usage) or somethings wrong, typically from the factory too. Heat, contamination, or parts failure is generally the culprit based on what the problem may be. If your fluids are running well in the safe temperatures for that application then swapping fluids out daily isnt going to help anything.

 

[Kirwin]

Not sure what your trying to say with this post. There are really only 2 power steering components to replace, the steering gear box, or the power steering pump. Neither of which normally require routine service IAW the owners manual. It says to maintain the correct oil level with the correct fluid, and if the fluid becomes contaminated to replace it, but there are no other service requirements for these components listed. As far as sampling the fluid, that only really works if you have something to compare it too. Not many people sample their power steering fluid. Power steering fluid also is not subject to increased load while driving like the driveline is; it takes no more fluid pressure to move the front wheels at 45 vice 65 MPH. The driveline on the other hand has enormous changes in load based on truck loading, angle of the grade, ambient temperature, amount of oil degradation from past use, as well as oil impurity level, and most importantly speed. This is the purpose of oil replacement: to remove the impurities that build up in the oil with use, and to restore the additive package that the oil uses to perform its functions. The power steering system is close to a sealed system and as with most hydraulic systems, subject to little contamination unless there is a break in the piping/hoses carrying the fluid. No one is advocating changing the differential oil daily, but we post here to let people know what we are seeing and to get feed back to what is normal.

This thread is comical...

So many people up in arms about changing certain fluids like the differentials, but probably never look at other critical components so cautiously, like power steering lubricants. Replacing PS components are VERY expensive but how many people are swapping out their PS lube every 20k miles or sending fluid analysis reports to make sure their fluid is applicable...

A lubricants life is rated on heat and contaminants based on its values. That means the larger the stock capacity the life span of the fluid application will increase mainly because of the reduction in heat. This is why the larger diff covers are worth their money and why you dont see class 8 trucks getting their differential fluids swapped out every week. The type of lubricant used is always a factor too but generally speaking if its rated for the application then your safe.

When I started using my truck more for towing I was curious about the driveline conditions so I ran temperature sensors to the transmission and differential. Then after some real world driving I added transmission coolers and a Mag-Hytec diff cover.....replaced fluids and did a couple other things not worth mentioning right now. The results were impressive and helped me understand what the fluids were doing in there and how much stress I was or wasn't placing on the driveline at a given time. Drivelines components like differentials dont fail from use unless they're worn out (which can take forever depending on the usage) or somethings wrong, typically from the factory too. Heat, contamination, or parts failure is generally the culprit based on what the problem may be. If your fluids are running well in the safe temperatures for that application then swapping fluids out daily isnt going to help anything.