2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Well, I'll never change front diff fluid again.

[CRSmith]

I changed the fluid in the D60 to Redline last night. When I broke the seal on the cover, what ran out? Brand new clear amber colored oil from the factory. It was too late though, so I went ahead and changed over to the redline. I'm considering it lubed for life now unless I hit some deep water, or start using 4wd every day. If it looks as good as new after 55,000 miles, then it's probably not gonna wear out after 300k.

 

[wyosteve]

I agree with you. With our trucks still having the front axle disconnect, the front lube should last almost forever. I doubt I put over 500 miles a yr. in 4wd.

 

[Bob V]

The stuff that came out of mine with 120,000 mi looked as good as the stuff I put back in.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Same here. I thought like I procrastinated long enough at about 40,000 miles. Then I kind of felt like a fool for even doing the front - it was as clean as the new stuff I put in it. I don't plan on ever taking that front cover off again.

 

[fkovalski]

'Bout to do both my pumkins (45K) and still think I will do the front even though y'all say it looks fine. But what about the time factor? I do use my 4WD often in these thar hills- Prolly 25% of my driving is in 4wd. Been 2 years for me of the fluid out of the original container exposed to air. Whatcha' think? -frank

 

[Fireman Dave]

Frank,



It can't hurt. I'm just saying I wouldn't have done it if I'd have known. If you aren't sure, go ahead and do it. It's worth it for the peace of mind at least.



Dave

 

[fkovalski]

I will be doing all the fluids here one weeekend- both diffs, Xfer case, 5spd- Just trying to figure out what to put in 'em. I know that there is a wealth of info here in TDR land- brands, synth, dino etc. . I think I might try synthetic in both gear boxes as the temps where I am at regularly dip into the teens and lower in the winter. I noticed last winter that shifting was kinda' tough in the AM before the ole' CTD was warm. I am also concerned about oil cavitation at the cold temps. Me thinks I will put the dino type in the pumkins. I would love to search all the threads here for recomendation as to what brand and type to use, but I don't have a spare 20 hours to sit in front of the box. -frank.

 

[zues]

Fkovalski



I put in Amsoil in the transmission and noticed the transmission started to shift hard in the cold weather.



I went to the local Dodge dealer and purchased the transmission fluid. The fluid was about 15. 00 dollars a quart.



The transmission now shifts much smoother in the cold weather.



According to the dealer, the transmission fluid does not have to be replace. It is a lifetime fill from the factory.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by zues

Fkovalski



I put in Amsoil in the transmission and noticed the transmission started to shift hard in the cold weather.



I went to the local Dodge dealer and purchased the transmission fluid. The fluid was about 15. 00 dollars a quart.



The transmission now shifts much smoother in the cold weather.



According to the dealer, the transmission fluid does not have to be replace. It is a lifetime fill from the factory.

In the owners manual it states no time frame for change of fluid and if you must add oil it must be the same as the factory fill fluid. And instruction sticker on transmission use of other than ----- stated oil will void warranty ,I think that changing it is a waste of time and money and will only check it and add the correct fluid as the sticker states. Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by Ron Bissett

I think that changing it is a waste of time and money and will only check it and add the correct fluid as the sticker states.

Couldn't agree more on the transmission. Over 150k on the stock fill on my 5 speed, all I've done is check the level a few times and ran an oil analysis at 100k, still good to go.

50k changes on the rear differential with Delo 85w-90

All the truck does is tow, in fact the GN flatbed has only been disconnected a handful of times.

 

[akline]

I personally like to change all fluid every few years regardless of mileage due to the fact that moisture collects in reservoirs due to the temp changes experienced in normal operation and park cycles, and also from weather changes. Since most all reservoirs have breathers on them, it allows them to collect moisture from outside air. I went to my Dodge dealer and got 8 quarts of the transmission fluid (for me and brother-in-law) and they gave me garage price of about $15 /qt. The list price I think is about $21:--)

 

[zues]

I would have the transmission flushed. I had it done to a friend of mine and now it shifts good. It took like over 20 quarts of fluid.

 

[akline]

The outrageous (in my humble opinion) prices I mentioned were for the special fluid for the manual trannys

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Today I finally got around to installing my front Mag Hytec cover.

To my surprise, the lube that I drained out was like melted vanilla ice cream! Somehow water got into the front axle. The humidity and temperature changes here in Houston TX probably is the reason. Moisture condensing inside the axle on cool nights.

This is the first time I've changed the lube up front. Truck has 51,700 miles on it. I changed the rear when I put the Mag Hytec on about 25K miles ago. Changed it again today and it looked pretty good.

Bought some cheap (not Amsoil yet) 80W90 GL5 from WalMart to flush out the nasty stuff. Now that I have the Mag Hytec on the front it will be a breeze to change.

The ring and pinion looked great, but the spider gears looked a little rough. Even though the lube looked like it did, it still had a lot of lubricity and not grit in it.

Anybody else seen this? The front end is dry as a bone. No signs of any gear oil leaking out and the vent tube looks fine.

Moral of the story is, if you've put off checking the front lube, better think again. It may be fine, but that was what I was expecting today, only to find white gear oil draining out.

 

[JHerrlich]

FYI, Autozone sells Synchromesh fluid that meets the specs for the 6-speed for $4. 99/ct. Autozone is the only place I've been able to find it.

 

[CFast]

run synthetic. We use 75-90 at work in the freightliners, that stuff goes for 250,000 miles. VERY seldom do we pull rearends for damage. If something is damaged it's usually the power divider,or driving with the axle lock engaged for too long.

 

[Berrigan]

Does anyone who has drained out water contaminated gear oil launch boats with there trucks? Ive heard that after pulling the boat to the lake and the diffs are hot, then submerging them in cold lake water, they cool and pull a vacuum through the vent. If the vent is under water it pulls in h2o. Also if the seals are bad the water can come in the axle seal areas if diff is in a vacuum. This seems to make sence to me. I just cant see normal condensation putting that much water in gear oil. Any thoughts? Bill

 

[John]

Originally posted by Chris N5CWM

Anybody else seen this?

Just a thought but...



did you wash your engine compartment without first covering the front axle (plastic) breather "valve" located on the passenger side inner fender? That "valve" is pretty notorious for not sealing real well. A good shot of water in that region to an unprotected breather "valve" could result in water intrusion.