I looked at mine today and its starting to seap fluid down the back side of the axle. Im happy Im planning on getting it changed. I have had the truck for 25k without even looking at the diff, and Im not sure when the last owner changed it. The truck has 108k now.

 

IMHO, the fluid change schedule as shown in the owners manual are unnecessarily frequent. In the owners manual text (a few pages before the schedule), it says that under normal conditions, the manufacturer does not recommend changing fluids in the differentials???? On the back of the MoPar atf4 fluid can, it says intended to be a "fill for life"!!!??? (You could certainly mount a good defense if the dealer says you did not change the fluids often enough) With all of these contradictions, one would think the government had been running Chrysler for much longer than it has.

I will continue to follow my own schedule. Synthetic oil change 6,000 miles; Synthetic Differential, Transfer Case, and Transmission Fluids at 30,000 miles. This has worked for me for over 35 years, and through nine 4WD vehicles. Before we had synthetics, my change interval was 3,000 oil/25,000 drive train.

Unfortunately, I just had my first differential failure. I took my 2005 Dak in for what I thought was a bad front pinion bearing. The service advisor called and told me it was definitely in the front end, and they had a "technical specialist" coming to examine the vehicle. Next day he calls, and says they are replacing the entire front differential at 55,000 miles!

Has anyone else experienced frint differential problems? I think I saw something about differential replacement on another thread.

 

Any idea on how your differential failed, sawfish?

 

According to the service writer, it was a wheel bearing failure, and a "gear noise". I am going to go back and talk with the mechanic who did the work when I have time. My opinion is that the front pinion bearing failed, and probably seized in the race. When the race turned in the differential case, it ruined the case. That is the only reason I know of, that would required complete replacement, but I would sure like the mechanic's opinion.

The entire job was covered under the 7/70 Warranty. They did not even charge me the $100 Deductible!

 

Good news for you Sawfish. Hopefully you wont have any more problems.

I just took my truck to the transmission shop today. It was $325 to get the pan dropped and filters changed, fluid changed in the transfer case, and fluid changed in the rear differential.

The fluid for the transfer case and differential was pretty expensive. I was only around $225 before the fluids. I wanted the fluid in the front differential replaced, but they said it was pretty labor intensive to get to it once they looked at it, and I told them my budget was $300 so they decided it would be best to not change it. They did check the fluid in it though and they said it looked fine so Im not going to worry about it.

 

Usually the rear axle fluid is lifetime stuff. What may warrant a change is possible contamination, a low level due to a leak, or possible water entry into the fluid. Otherwise, I never change my rear axle fluid. Dodge doesn't even call for a change under service plan "B".

Honestly, at 100k+, it would be a good idea to do it though, so I am not saying don't do it.

There are a few things I don't do myself either, because its just not worth the hassle. Tranny fluid changes, bleeding the brake lines, and coolant flushes. I find these things worth paying the labor for. Especially the coolant, most shops do it for very little labor. I guess it comes down to not being able to discard the fluid easily.

 

HANDS UP ON THAT ONE....lol I changed my Spark Plugs every 15K and front and rear differential and Transfer Case Every 15K with Royal Purple 75W90 Synthetic and transfer case with ATF+4 cause thats what it calls for and changed the Transmission fluid at 20K and will do all of those when i get except for the front end...cause i never use 4WD its hardley used except once a month when i put it in 4WD just to lube it up! but what can i say i'm very **** about my truck and keep her up even if she doesn't need it! Wish my dad felt the same way so i didnt have to sit and wonder whats going to break on my truck or look like crap or need to be repaired when i go home! ugh hate it when its in someones hands that can't even do little tasks! lol

 

So how hard is the front differential fluid to change wteboy? I looked under there and it looked like with a lift it should be no worse than the rear, except for the frame thats 5 inches away. Is there anything that makes it more difficult than the rear besides for the frame?

 

uhm...for the front all i did was suction it out i didn't drop the front off of it and put it back on i just sucked it out! made it that much easier and wasn't leaking so no need to take it off and reseal!

 

I second that! Just suction it out and put new in! I've done that with the rear also.