Change rear diff fluid
07-15-2003, 09:53 PM
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Change rear diff fluid
Do I have to buy another gasket or do I use gasket snot and make my own, also what fluid do I use, my truck is a 2003 2500 4x4 w/ american axles?
07-15-2003, 10:26 PM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
I changed mine out by not pulling off the covers...I went to Napa Auto Parts and they had this thing that looked like a grease gun but no lever for pumping grease. It had a handle on the end like a grease gun that you pulled to extract the fluid. It had a nipple on the end that you attached the included clear hose...then pull the differential plug, stick the hose into the very bottom and start pulling back on the base handle to extract one pint at a time. Made it very easy to do and you could see the quality of the fluid you were drawing out of the diff. Granted, if you saw metal while doing this, I would suggest pulling the cover but this was quick and easy, no metal sighted.
As for what fluid to use, be sure it's GL-5 synthetic spec and you should be fine. If you're concerned about your warranty, you can go to Dodge and buy a few quarts of their expensive stuff. FYI, I believe the rubber gasket on the differentials is reuseable so be sure not to mess it up...you can do a search and read where others have done it.
Napa Lubrication Equipment
Quality Suction Gun
Napa part Number 715-1245
Cost in Anchorage, Alaska with AAA Card was $10.99
As for what fluid to use, be sure it's GL-5 synthetic spec and you should be fine. If you're concerned about your warranty, you can go to Dodge and buy a few quarts of their expensive stuff. FYI, I believe the rubber gasket on the differentials is reuseable so be sure not to mess it up...you can do a search and read where others have done it.
Napa Lubrication Equipment
Quality Suction Gun
Napa part Number 715-1245
Cost in Anchorage, Alaska with AAA Card was $10.99
07-15-2003, 10:45 PM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
Gaskets are very good quality and easily re-usable, you are not likely to damage them when you pull the pumpkin off. I used Mobil One 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic front and rear.
07-16-2003, 11:41 AM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
Spend a little extra and put in AMSOIL 75W-90. The stuff works wonders and won't void any warranty. Also as per the owners book do NOT add equa torque for LSD rear ends. It's NOT required.
07-16-2003, 05:25 PM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
[quote author=Jim O link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#160732 date=1058391733]<br>SuperGewl <br>What makes Amsoil better than a product by a real oil company like Mobil?<br>Jim O<br>[/quote]<br><br>It does-not becouse Amsoild comes from Peanuts
07-16-2003, 07:20 PM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
[quote author=Mark Thomas link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#160371 date=1058 what fluid do I use, my truck is a 2003 2500 4x4 w/ american axles.
Mark;The 2003 Dodge Ram Service Manual says to use 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lubricant in the 10 1/2 & 11 1/2 AA axles. DC recomends to use Mopar lubricants or "lubricants of equal quality". You can find additional info. on page 311 & 340 of your owners manual. I like the Mobil 1, others say Amzoil is good also. ;D Good Luck!!!!!
Mark;The 2003 Dodge Ram Service Manual says to use 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lubricant in the 10 1/2 & 11 1/2 AA axles. DC recomends to use Mopar lubricants or "lubricants of equal quality". You can find additional info. on page 311 & 340 of your owners manual. I like the Mobil 1, others say Amzoil is good also. ;D Good Luck!!!!!
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07-17-2003, 02:32 PM
#8
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
[quote author=Jim O link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#160732 date=1058391733]<br>SuperGewl <br>What makes Amsoil better than a product by a real oil company like Mobil?<br>Jim O<br>[/quote]<br><br>LOL, I'd be interested to hear his answer on that one, since Mobil supplies most of the basestocks for Amsoil's oil, and then Lubrizol makes the additives packages..
08-15-2003, 09:09 AM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
[quote author=Lightman link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#msg161055 date=1058470322]
[quote author=Jim O link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#160732 date=1058391733]
SuperGewl
What makes Amsoil better than a product by a real oil company like Mobil?
Jim O
[/quote]
LOL, I'd be interested to hear his answer on that one, since Mobil supplies most of the basestocks for Amsoil's oil, and then Lubrizol makes the additives packages..
[/quote]
Would you agree that the basestocks that mobil make are a different division than their finished lubricant division? Would you agree that there might be different levels of quality basestocks and that better basestocks might cost more?Would you agree that if it was all about basestocks that you wouldn't have to use quaility additives? Would you agree that there are levels of additive qualitities? So if lubrizol, infinium, ethyl were to produce an additive that there would be bottom dollar and top dollar products?
Lastly would you agree that some products are produced because of price and not quality? I'm not saying that Mobil 1 is not a quality product, but I"m sure they spend alot of money developing a product to only have the bean counters say that it's too expensive and to cut cost here or there. This is a fact of doing business.
From what I understand, Amsoil's main concern is to produce the best possible lubricant, then worry about price later. This is what adds best to the dealer network, they rely on word or mouth and face to face to sell a product that is sometimes 10 times the price of a conventional fluid. If you set amsoil on the shelf like mobil 1 it would not sell. Most folks are very price concience regardless of quality.
Go to Walmat and check out the oil section, stay there for about 15 minutes and see how many folks are buying on price.
For me price is no object, as I feel that I get my money back through the benifits of using something better, if I were to buy oil through local outlets, probably would buy mobil 1 regardless of price.
[quote author=Jim O link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#160732 date=1058391733]
SuperGewl
What makes Amsoil better than a product by a real oil company like Mobil?
Jim O
[/quote]
LOL, I'd be interested to hear his answer on that one, since Mobil supplies most of the basestocks for Amsoil's oil, and then Lubrizol makes the additives packages..
[/quote]
Would you agree that the basestocks that mobil make are a different division than their finished lubricant division? Would you agree that there might be different levels of quality basestocks and that better basestocks might cost more?Would you agree that if it was all about basestocks that you wouldn't have to use quaility additives? Would you agree that there are levels of additive qualitities? So if lubrizol, infinium, ethyl were to produce an additive that there would be bottom dollar and top dollar products?
Lastly would you agree that some products are produced because of price and not quality? I'm not saying that Mobil 1 is not a quality product, but I"m sure they spend alot of money developing a product to only have the bean counters say that it's too expensive and to cut cost here or there. This is a fact of doing business.
From what I understand, Amsoil's main concern is to produce the best possible lubricant, then worry about price later. This is what adds best to the dealer network, they rely on word or mouth and face to face to sell a product that is sometimes 10 times the price of a conventional fluid. If you set amsoil on the shelf like mobil 1 it would not sell. Most folks are very price concience regardless of quality.
Go to Walmat and check out the oil section, stay there for about 15 minutes and see how many folks are buying on price.
For me price is no object, as I feel that I get my money back through the benifits of using something better, if I were to buy oil through local outlets, probably would buy mobil 1 regardless of price.
08-15-2003, 11:17 AM
#10
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
"For me price is no object, as I feel that I get my money back through the benifits of using something better, if I were to buy oil through local outlets, probably would buy mobil 1 regardless of price. "
WELL, lessee... For trannies and differentials, the synthetics earn their added expense, mainly because the added expense is spread over a far longer usage span - engines might raise a few questions as to "benefits" of synthetics...
Would YOU "agree" that the average vehicle is driven approximately 12,000 miles per year? Would you agree that the average Cummins will probably last 300,000 miles or longer without major overhaul? Would you agree that equates to approximately *25 years* of service for the average driver? Would you agree, in the absense of actual documentation from Amsoil - or any other source, that you MIGHT obtain an additional 10% lifespan from the use of Amsoil or any similar synthetic? (I base that figure on the past postings of oil analysis in forums like this - admittedly a seat-of the-pants guesstimate, in the absense of anything better) If you have better *proven, long term* wear rate comparison documentation, have at it...
THEN, would you agree that the added life expectatncy will amount to a rather trivial additional 2.5 years of service - and that the AVERAGE vehicle buyer only keeps that vehicle an average 3 years before trading it off? Would you THEN agree that the REAL (possible) benefactor to the use of synthetics is actually some FUTURE owner several transactions down the line - and that the original owner will probably NEVER receive any actual extended service or payback for the use of the "better" lube - and that it is mostly done for a "warm and fuzzy feeling" by that owner?
;D ;D ;D
HEY - I'm not knocking warm and fuzzy feelings - I have a few such items on MY truck - but synthetic oil in the engine isn't one of them - for all the above reasons... ;D ;D
*I* sure can't see spending 4-5 times a much for a lube that will only benefit some future owner 30 years from now, after I'm dead and gone!
WELL, lessee... For trannies and differentials, the synthetics earn their added expense, mainly because the added expense is spread over a far longer usage span - engines might raise a few questions as to "benefits" of synthetics...
Would YOU "agree" that the average vehicle is driven approximately 12,000 miles per year? Would you agree that the average Cummins will probably last 300,000 miles or longer without major overhaul? Would you agree that equates to approximately *25 years* of service for the average driver? Would you agree, in the absense of actual documentation from Amsoil - or any other source, that you MIGHT obtain an additional 10% lifespan from the use of Amsoil or any similar synthetic? (I base that figure on the past postings of oil analysis in forums like this - admittedly a seat-of the-pants guesstimate, in the absense of anything better) If you have better *proven, long term* wear rate comparison documentation, have at it...
THEN, would you agree that the added life expectatncy will amount to a rather trivial additional 2.5 years of service - and that the AVERAGE vehicle buyer only keeps that vehicle an average 3 years before trading it off? Would you THEN agree that the REAL (possible) benefactor to the use of synthetics is actually some FUTURE owner several transactions down the line - and that the original owner will probably NEVER receive any actual extended service or payback for the use of the "better" lube - and that it is mostly done for a "warm and fuzzy feeling" by that owner?
;D ;D ;DHEY - I'm not knocking warm and fuzzy feelings - I have a few such items on MY truck - but synthetic oil in the engine isn't one of them - for all the above reasons...
;D ;D*I* sure can't see spending 4-5 times a much for a lube that will only benefit some future owner 30 years from now, after I'm dead and gone!
08-15-2003, 11:31 AM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
[quote author=Gary - KJ6Q link=board=17;threadid=17124;start=0#msg172954 date=1060964260]
Would YOU "agree" that the average vehicle is driven approximately 12,000 miles per year? Would you agree that the average Cummins will probably last 300,000 miles or longer without major overhaul? Would you agree that equates to approximately *25 years* of service for the average driver? Would you agree, in the absense of actual documentation from Amsoil - or any other source, that you MIGHT obtain an additional 10% lifespan from the use of Amsoil or any similar synthetic? (I base that figure on the past postings of oil analysis in forums like this - admittedly a seat-of the-pants guesstimate, in the absense of anything better) If you have better *proven, long term* wear rate comparison documentation, have at it...
THEN, would you agree that the added life expectatncy will amount to a rather trivial additional 2.5 years of service - and that the AVERAGE vehicle buyer only keeps that vehicle an average 3 years before trading it off? Would you THEN agree that the REAL (possible) benefactor to the use of synthetics is actually some FUTURE owner several transactions down the line - and that the original owner will probably NEVER receive any actual extended service or payback for the use of the "better" lube - and that it is mostly done for a "warm and fuzzy feeling" by that owner?
[/quote]
Yep I would agree with you on that. Initial high cost would not be offset until the vehicle is long gone.
But with perfect confidence in the product. An extended drain of 10,000-15,000 would offset any upfront cost. So if your not yet comfortable with the extended drains. Using a top quality Conventional base lube is really the only choice.
This is why it's usually a no brainer for Syn Lube in the Drivetrain other than the engine. Synthetics for the engine are up for debate.
Would YOU "agree" that the average vehicle is driven approximately 12,000 miles per year? Would you agree that the average Cummins will probably last 300,000 miles or longer without major overhaul? Would you agree that equates to approximately *25 years* of service for the average driver? Would you agree, in the absense of actual documentation from Amsoil - or any other source, that you MIGHT obtain an additional 10% lifespan from the use of Amsoil or any similar synthetic? (I base that figure on the past postings of oil analysis in forums like this - admittedly a seat-of the-pants guesstimate, in the absense of anything better) If you have better *proven, long term* wear rate comparison documentation, have at it...
THEN, would you agree that the added life expectatncy will amount to a rather trivial additional 2.5 years of service - and that the AVERAGE vehicle buyer only keeps that vehicle an average 3 years before trading it off? Would you THEN agree that the REAL (possible) benefactor to the use of synthetics is actually some FUTURE owner several transactions down the line - and that the original owner will probably NEVER receive any actual extended service or payback for the use of the "better" lube - and that it is mostly done for a "warm and fuzzy feeling" by that owner?
[/quote]
Yep I would agree with you on that. Initial high cost would not be offset until the vehicle is long gone.
But with perfect confidence in the product. An extended drain of 10,000-15,000 would offset any upfront cost. So if your not yet comfortable with the extended drains. Using a top quality Conventional base lube is really the only choice.
This is why it's usually a no brainer for Syn Lube in the Drivetrain other than the engine. Synthetics for the engine are up for debate.
08-15-2003, 11:50 AM
#12
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
YUP - no mistake about it - I would use a top synthetic in my Cummins in a heartbeat if the "return on investment" wasn't so high - and I'm not a believer in long term extended drains, so good 'ol Delo works for me... But for my tranny and differential, the synthetics make excellent sense, and the cost isn't quite so extreme vs lifespan of the lube...
08-16-2003, 01:28 PM
#13
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
Gary, I think you meant to say if the ROI wasn't so LOW
Speculation about basestocks aside, I feel the mobil 1 gear lube is every bit as good as the amsoil. People love to believe the marketing BS amsoil puts out, especially amsoil dealers. Their oils are good but nothing super or extra special. I'd use either the mobil or the amsoil, based on which price was better. Same thing with my ATV. I use amsoil 0w-40 because it's cheaper than the mobil 1 mx4t.
Speculation about basestocks aside, I feel the mobil 1 gear lube is every bit as good as the amsoil. People love to believe the marketing BS amsoil puts out, especially amsoil dealers. Their oils are good but nothing super or extra special. I'd use either the mobil or the amsoil, based on which price was better. Same thing with my ATV. I use amsoil 0w-40 because it's cheaper than the mobil 1 mx4t.
08-17-2003, 10:15 PM
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
I must be nuts cause I shopped for price and used Shell Spirax S 75W90 GL5 an oil rated for extended changes in Eaton/Meritor/ and other equipment out to 750K. I get it for less than $5. qt by purchasing the 20QT pail.I suppose if Amsoil is ever rated by a truck equipment manufacturer for 750K change intervals I might consider using some if the price was below $5. qt.
08-18-2003, 12:20 AM
#15
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Re:Change rear diff fluid
I think of Amsoil and their marketing strategy is very much like Amway only instead of soap mooneys they are oil mooneys. I prefer to deal with a real oil company.
Just the opinion of an opinionated person.
JimO
Just the opinion of an opinionated person.
JimO
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