Alright......

How often are you guys actually doing this?

As you know Dodge says every 15,000 miles.

I have all my service done at the dealer so it's expensive. I know, I know.....do it myself. Not gonna happen.

If it is really needed that often then so be it......I'm just having a tough time believing that it needs to be that frequent.

How often do you change?

 

I'm going to do mine every 25,000.

The 11.5" AAM axle is the same one in GMs 2500HD and 3500s. IIRC the spec for my old 2500HD was every 25,000 on the severe schedule and 50,000 otherwise.

I'm not sure why Dodge thinks we need to change it every 15,000.

I put an aftermarket PML diff cover on mine. The PML cover has a drain plug like my Chevy did. Makes the fluid change very easy.

The dealer nearest me runs a "special" on a diff change every few months.

$200 per axle isn't special. I save $160 doing it myself.

 

I do mine every 20k-30k

 

While under warranty, every 15. But now that warranty is almost up, going to go like abouve 25-30 or so. I use Amsoil and it seems to hold up very well!

 

I changed mine @ 9,000 miles in the rear. I don't know what color it comes out of the bottle but it was as black as my engine oil after 5,000 miles. Nothing on the magnet though. I installed the Mag-Hytec and added Amsoil.

 

I go every 20-25k miles, running the 75w-90 Amsoil.

 

I did mine at about 18,000 the first time and it looked horrible. Did it again at about 45,000 and it still looked like new this time. Get rid of that factory fluid, after that I would not feel uncomfortable going 25-30,000. I use Mobil 1 75W-90

 

I agree with bighornram...changed mine at 15K and it looked horrible. Also, the magnet had more metal on it than I thought it would.

 

The American Axle will get fluid really black in no time at all. This is normal due to the differential.

 

I do mine at 25k---use Amsoil for all of my lubricants. Use the 75-90 in the diffs.

 

changed mine at 20k, rear diff was slightly discolored, but not black. Front looked clear, but I changed it anyway. I put Mopar 75w90 synthetic in both of them. I dont tow very often or real heavy so that may be why my fluid still looked good at 20K.

 

If you use 4wheel drive seldom and only at very low speeds why would towing or severe service schedule apply to front differential? I realize the gears are always turning on a dodge, but that is true even with light service.

 

If your already doing the rear why not the front? You said it yourself - the gears are always turning..... cheap insurance. Your only talking an extra 30 bucks or so in oil.

 

I have Hytec covers on both diffs and change the oil once a year, usually around the spring. I average about 25k a year. They really make changing the fluid a piece of cake.

 

If you read on here, a lot of guys changed theirs from the dealership and it was ugly. I changed mine this weekend for the first time and the rear diff fluid was shot. The front looked fine. I put amsoil back in it. My truck has 30k miles. I would change it asap if this is your first time, then I would go every 20-30k or so, depending on what kind of use your truck sees.