This may seem stupid to some, but I've never done this before.

When I drain the fluid from the differential housings, remove the bolts and take the cover off, is the only fluid I'm getting out coming just from the differential area? Is there fluid in the axle tubes that needs to be drained out somehow, if so how is this done? Do I lift one side of the truck at a time?

Don't beat on me too much, just trying to take care of my baby.

Thanks

 

Just put a pan under it and pull the cover, look everything over, wipe any metal off the metalic fill plug, put it back together and fill it.

Don't overfill it (11 1/2" should be 3/4" to 1 1/4 below fill hole), or overtighten the bolts (30 ft/lbs cover bolts, 24 for fill plug). Save your receipts and record the date and milage.

It's an easy job, and you will save $$$ doing it yourself.

 

I'd refill it to the level specified in the owners manual. I haven't looked at that portion of the OM in a while, but 1 1/4" below the hole seems a little excessive. Mine's fine at the hole.

Go to Pep Boys or the like and buy a little hand pump to pump the fluid from the bottle to the diff.

When you're finished buttoning it up, its recommended that you find somewhere to do some figure 8's. And yes, some **** types will say that you should jack up each axle tube to drain out the fluid in them - good for them. I just dumped out the old stuff and refilled to the hole.

 

I had filled mine to where the owner's manual said, then later got a call from the dealership- They said there was a revision of the proper level, gave me a thing in writing that said 10 1/2 should be 1/2" to 1" below, and 11 1/2" should be 3/4 to 1 1/4 below, and that filling up to the bottom of the plug could cause seal failure.

They even had me take the truck in, where they pumped out oil at no charge. (I had mine to the bottom of the fill plug, since the manual said 1/2" below, + or - 1/2").

Newer trucks apparenlty have a revision in the owner's manual, and a stamping on the dif cover indicating proper level.

Jeff

 

I'm getting ready to do my also, dealer wants about $150! I can buy Mobil 1 for $6.99 a quart at the local auto store. It seems to be pretty easy, also never done one before. My question is how to figure out how much you have in there.

 

Its very easy. Stop filling it when it runs out the hole.

Or if you want the level an inch below the hole, stick your index finger in up to the second joint - you fingertip should be dry. If its wet, it'll be stinky .....

Be careful and don't over tighten the cover bolts.

 

" stick your index finger in up to the second joint - you fingertip should be dry. If its wet, it'll be stinky ..... "


we are talking trucks here, aren't we?

 

Jeff is correct. I've seen a document from the service manager at our dealership that indicated 3/4 to 1-1/4 inch below the fill hole. Someone posted a pic of the same document on DTR before.

 

I was talking with a co-worker about the differential changes. He pointed out that the schedule A service routine makes no mention of changing the differential fluid. I doubled checked in my manual and he's correct. Would it make sense for those who do not tow a lot (I'm assuming this is the big culprit for the heat generation and breaking down of the oil) to stretch the change interval?

Thoughts, opinions . . .