Hey Guys I'm thinking of changing my differential fluids this long weekend. Any advice on change intervals, and synthetic oils. It looks as though I have to remove the entire cover, anything special to look for while I'm in there?

 

This is a pretty straightforward procedure

Make sure u tighten the bolts equally in tq, not sure if its 38 ft lbs tho, i know i have the specs somewhere, but i did tighten them all equally. The cover might initially be tough to knock off, but with a good hammer and a screwdriver just pry it off. If you have some time to kill make sure you clean out the screws, and all the RTV or whatever was used as well before u put the new stuff on there. I use the Mega Grey gasketmaker, and i let it skin for a few minutes before i put the cover back on the differential. If you have a Limited slip make sure you buy the additive as well, I used 4 quarts, or 4.5 quarts of the 80W-90 semi synthetic valvoline oil in both of my diffs... and aint had issues yet, and i think ur supposed to change the diff oil every 25K or so, not sure on synthetic oil tho... interval might be different...

Have a good one!

Rick

 

Thanks Bud!

 

[QUOTE=TxDiesel007;1155323]This is a pretty straightforward procedure

Make sure u tighten the bolts equally in tq, not sure if its 38 ft lbs tho, i know i have the specs somewhere, but i did tighten them all equally. The cover might initially be tough to knock off, but with a good hammer and a screwdriver just pry it off. If you have some time to kill make sure you clean out the screws, and all the RTV or whatever was used as well before u put the new stuff on there. I use the Mega Grey gasketmaker, and i let it skin for a few minutes before i put the cover back on the differential. If you have a Limited slip make sure you buy the additive as well, I used 4 quarts, or 4.5 quarts of the 80W-90 semi synthetic valvoline oil in both of my diffs... and aint had issues yet, and i think ur supposed to change the diff oil every 25K or so, not sure on synthetic oil tho... interval might be different...

Have a good one!

Depending on what rear end you have it may take more fluid. I have a Dana 70 rear and it took almost 4 qts. with 4 oz. of friction mod. The dana 70 needs sae 90 or 85w 140. I tried the lower weight and my limited slip started
poping. I ended up using 8oz. of friction mod. because the reccomended 4 oz. was'nt enough.

 

Im doing mine tomorrow,checked it yesterday and the rear is dirty and the front is still golden brown.its been at least 25000 miles.ahhh time flies.Just use an rtv sealant guys?

 

Yessir..

just make sure u let it skin a bit before u put the cover back on.. and torque all the bolts as equally as you can, best to have a good TQ wrench

PS wilderness, thanks for assitance and correctin me...

Rick

 

Read your owner's manual and you will see the factory recommended fluid level is 3/4" below the bottom of the fill plug in front and 1/2" in the rear.
I can't count how many leaking differentials have been brought in to me whose only problem was overfilled to the bottom of the fill plug. Most times it was too late for the oil soaked rear shoes, they had to be replaced.