This 2008 5500 is my 4th Dodge CTD work truck. I do most of the service work myself, but was puzzeled when it comes to changing the rear diff. fluid with no access at all. Are you supposed to pull an axel and siphon??? Also, I read a thred about an obnoxios smell in the cab on regen that I cannot find again---well I had it bad on a trip the other day and can't remember the fix to tell the dealer-- doubt they will know about it. At the same time I noticed an airy noise when the exaust brake was working, and then heard it slightly as the motor was under load. I'm just at 1500 miles now and like the truck very much with the Asian trans.

Tom in the frozen north

Look in your manual for good pics and diagram for changing the rear diff. The sounds you describe are normal exhause brake function,my truck never smelles while driving, might be a first time thing.

if the diff is the same as the other dodges then you take the cover off. othe wise their is a drain plug

I check my manual P.444, the 4500/5500 diff does not have a removable cover just a drain and fill plug.

Ok I'll bite. If there isn't a rear cover how do you service the rear? Sounds like a ship in the bottle mistery.

Ok I'll bite. If there isn't a rear cover how do you service the rear? Sounds like a ship in the bottle mistery.

Should have a drain and fill plug, I assume the axle is cast as one piece with a third member that bolts in similar to a semi truck axle

Ok in other words the ring and pinion are in a unit that bolts in from the front of the pumpkin right. You pull the axles drop the dirve shaft and unbolt the gear set like on the ole Dodge cars. Ok that makes sense. I forgot about that one. Had a 67 GTX that worked that way.

I am very seriously considering a new 4500. Just reading about what I may be getting my self into.

Just an update on this thread so as to clear things up, A thank you to Cummins610 is in order, the manual had it in black and white, the fill is hidden on the side of the yoke, and the drain is one of the bottom yoke bolts- mystery 1 solved. However, the regen smell has me puzzeled. It only occurs when the truck is stopped in traffic during regen, and not due to winds blowing it into the truck from the exaust. I believe the rushing airy noise heard inside under load I described has something to do with this, maybe a leak in the upper exaust system somewhere. If you have this problem you will know, the smell is incredibly bad. I will continue to search other forums, as I know I read about this before.

Thanks Tom