Front and Rear Differential Fluid Change.
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Record Breaker
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Front and Rear Differential Fluid Change.
Can anyone advise, with the 2002 Dodge Ram QC 1500 4X4 is it really important to have the Front and Rear Differential fluids changed?
Any typically, how much does the dealership charge, and how often should it be done?
Any typically, how much does the dealership charge, and how often should it be done?
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Joined: Jul 2005
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RE: Front and Rear Differential Fluid Change.
Your maintenance schedule in your glove compartment will tell you to have it changed every 15k miles.
Your differential fluids help protect your gears against wear, and it suspends wear metal particles that aren't big enough to be trapped by the magnet in your differential case. Since most break-in wear will occur during that first 15k, I think it is a good idea to get both the front (if you have a 4x4) and rear changed at that first interval. After that, if you don't haul much of anything, and if you don't race at every stop light, I think it is okay to go every 30k or maybe even longer. That first change is important, though.
There used to be a DIY post by Osteodoc on changing the differential fluids, but I can't find it now. It's actually not that hard, and if you can change your engine oil, then you can do the differential fluid, too.
Warning: This is only my thought on the matter. Not responsible for any damage caused.
Your differential fluids help protect your gears against wear, and it suspends wear metal particles that aren't big enough to be trapped by the magnet in your differential case. Since most break-in wear will occur during that first 15k, I think it is a good idea to get both the front (if you have a 4x4) and rear changed at that first interval. After that, if you don't haul much of anything, and if you don't race at every stop light, I think it is okay to go every 30k or maybe even longer. That first change is important, though.
There used to be a DIY post by Osteodoc on changing the differential fluids, but I can't find it now. It's actually not that hard, and if you can change your engine oil, then you can do the differential fluid, too.
Warning: This is only my thought on the matter. Not responsible for any damage caused.
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2007
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From: Oceanside, CA
check in the 3rd Gen Ram FAQS section. there is a nice DIY write up on how to do it.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: South Georgia/East Florida
If not a heavy hauler/tower then would say you could go 30k, especially if you use synthetic fluids. 15k if you have the factory LSD, because you really need to do a visual at least that often, metal particles are a bad thing to be floating around the diff oil. Also, if you cross any type of water then I'd change it much more often as water can enter the differential and break down the protective properties of the oil fast!
I go 15k in the rear and 30k in the front, as I have conventional oil in the rear (as spec'd by Auburn Gear, manufacturer of my aftermarket LSD) and synthetic in the front...
You are looking at the FILL PLUG! There is no drain plug on these differentials. You drain them by removing the cover, scraping the RTV off, apply new RTV and replacing the cover. You then fill until it begins to come out THAT hole...
