Morning everyone,

I have an '05 1500 4x4 SLT. Looking to do a bit of maintenance on it, runs great still but figure I should give it some love.

1.) How can I go about checking the diff fluid in the rear? There is a rubber grommet I think on the back and it looks a bit wet with oil around it.

2.) Any how too's on changing that diff oil or should a guy take it in to the shop to have it done?

3.) Transmission fluid should probably be changed regulalary I take it, as followed by the manual? I think I am over on that regard so it probably needs changing. Do you have to just pull the pan off, drain the oil, change the filter, pan back on and then fill it up? I noticed the service manual only states there is one filter that needs to be changed, some people have mentioned 2?

4.) Does the front diff take the oil from the transmission?

5.) Is there anything special in changing these pads? Or just the simple process of taking the caliper off, press the piston back in, change the pads and put the caliper back on? I have a mazda car and the rear pads had a set screw I didnt know about which had to be screwed in to get the piston to recesss... go figure.

THanks.

 

1 - remove the rubber plug and stick your little finger in. If you can touch the fluid, it's enough. It may need to be changed, but there's enough in there.

2 - Diff service is easier than tranny service, except for the front diff cover. From what I've read, getting the front cover off is a bit of a hassle due to accessibility issues. If you can do brakes, you can service the diffs.

3 - The tranny interval is probably 60K. It is 30K for my '03, but somewhere along there, the interval changed. What manual are you using and what engine do you have? If it's a Hemi, throw out that manual. You'll need two filters, a "traditional" flat filter and a spin-on filter. The 4.7s may also have two, I'm not sure.

4 - No, the front diff needs differential fluid. The transfer case uses tranny fluid, I think. Mine's a 4x2, so I'm not sure of that. 75w-140 in the rear, 75w-90 in the front.

5 - Someone else will have to advise on brakes. I'm too chicken to do my own.

 

Check the FAQ section, someone put a good diff service in there with pics, it's pretty easy, yeah the front one on mine was a hassle being directly behind the steering rack. It's always good to pull the rear dif cover off and inspect for damage or loose clips if you have the factory limited slip.
Transfer case does use ATF4 tranny fluid on mine.
Brakes are simple, no hidden set screws or anything for the front or back. The hardest part on the rear is if you try and take the rotor off, you'll have to adjust the parking brake shoes to loosen them up, and then the rotors still like to stick.
As far as tranny fluid changes, my shop does that for me, from what I've read getting those filters exactly right can be tricky.

 

1. Rubber Plug is to check the level of the fluid. It should be about 1/4' below the check, the fluid should be gold.

2.For the rear diff, you have to take the plate off, its pretty straight forward. Much easier then the tranny.

3. Do you have the 4.7 or 5.7, On the 5.7 it has 2 filters. one is a spin on internal and the other just pushes up. The tranny can be difficult to change. If you feel up to it, go for it. If you have any doubts, its better to take it to a shop. Dont take it to a quick lube. (I am a manager at Mr.Lube here in Canada).

4.The front diff take a GL5 gear oil. You can use 80W90 or 75W90. I personally run Mobil 1 75W90 Synthetic because I pay $3 a liter.

5. I havent got around to my brakes as they were already done when i bought the truck 5000 km ago.

Good luck in changin the tranny and diff. It is an adventure but not that hard.

Rear Diff oil: 75w140 Synthetic with Mopar limited slip additive

Transmission & Transfer case: ATF+4

Front diff oil: 80W90 GL5 or 75W90 GL5 (does not require synthetic gear oil)

 

If you go to any shop to get the diffs serviced, or transmission. MAKE sure you tell them you want them to pull the cover to drain fluid. Do not let them suck it out.

 

Oops sorry, bad bump.