Just wanted to get some opinions on when to change fluids in the differentials and transfer case. I have a 2009 Dakota with 40,000km or about 25,000 miles on it. I had it in at the dealer to get the oil changed and they recommended doing a 4x4 service on it and wanted 400.00 dollars. I said no thanks I can do these myself in the driveway. I was talking to a mechanic friend of mine and he said since I have synthetic fluid I don't need to think about until 100,000km or about 62,000 miles and we checked the color of fluids and they all look good. What's consciences here about when to change it out?

 

It wont really hurt too change it.(rather sooner than later) I just did my rear diff and transfer case with royal purple. the front diff looked like a pain too do with the rack in the way so I will save it for another day.

 

what do they do for $400. If it just change fluid in transfer case and differentials I would also say noooooo.

 

I know when they told me what they wanted for it my jaw dropped. It must be how they make up for the cheap price on oil changes.

 

I get mine done every 30,000 miles or so, I run my truck hard on the street and track, and its 300.00, a pop, but thats everything, frt and rear diff, complete transaxle service, I now have 140000 miles on it, and it still chirps 2nd for an automatic

 

I followed the severe service (aka schedule B) in my manual for the diffs and changed it every 15k. Redline was about $100 for the fluid for front and rear. Rear diff gasket was about $6. I spotted it with RTV made for gear oil (don't remember how much that was). Ironically Dodge doesn't specifically say to drain and change the transfer case fluid until 120k lol. I'll probably do mine at 90k and put redline in it.

It's easier to buy a pump and pump the fluid out of the front diff. I didn't think I could properly get my torque wrench in there.

 

Yes I have my own pump already just need to get the fluids, what weight of oil did you use for the axles and is the transfer case the same weight?

 

I used Redline's 75W-140 High Performance gear oil in the rear because it has the friction modifier in it (if you don't have a limited slip you don't need this). Then I got 75W-90NS gear oil for the front which doesn't have the friction modifier in it, but the front is an open differential. You'll need 1.75qts for the front and 2.1875qts for the 8.25 or 2.25qts for the 9.25 rear diff.

The transfer case needs ATF +4. If you would like to go with Redline you'll need the C+ ATF. I haven't put this in yet. Right now it's running the Mopar ATF +4 when I had Dodge to the maintenance at 60k. NV233 needs 1.25qts and the NV244 needs 1.425qts.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I bought a case of MoPar ATF four years ago to change the fluids in the transmission and transfer case. The label on the can/bottle says "...intended to be a fill for life...". That is radically different from the maintenance schedule in the owners manual. Cannot get a straight answer from the Dodge dealers that I have asked about this conflict. I took my case of fluid to my local mechanic, and asked him to change the fluids in the transmission and transfer case. When I picked up the vehicle, he told me that he did not change the fluids. He checked samples of both fluids, and said they were "pretty and pink" and not dirty. He also told me that their Master Shop Manual said the same thing as the MoPar fluid container. Intended to be a fill for life. Since, I have the fluid, filter and pump, I will change them at 100,000 miles (just rolled 90,000), but there does not seem to be any straight answer to your question.