Getting ready to perform the service on the rear axle, wondering if anyone has done this themselves and have torque/pattern for cover bolts and verifying that RTV is used for the gasket. Truck has 29,000 miles and I bought 3 qts of mopar 75w140 online for 13$ free shipping and aslo have the friction additive. Also any problems encountered? I am going to take pics and post. Also has anyone installed a PML pan for the transmission or rear end?

 

17 ft lbs for the front diff and 30 ft lbs for the rear.

 

Is the Friction additive you mention the tiny bottle that you're suppose to put in a small hole at the top of the differencial? A guy at work had work done to his older Dodge truck, and the mechanic said the damage might not have happened if he added this small bottle of fluid to the differencial every 50k miles or so. He gets all his service done at a local shop (warranty is long expired).

I've always taking my vehicles to the dealership, so I don't have to worry about stuff like that. They know how to service their own brand of vehicles properly. Besides, they've always treated me fairly.

 

The small hole you are referring to is the fill hole for the diff. Anyway to take it off you use a 3/8 extension on a ratchet wrench, you a screw cap. Does it take 3 full litres? I did my 12 bolt chevy with synthetic and with the posi I was told if you go synthetic you don't need the additive? Anyway it is a Richmond Gears Tru Trac and well other than being a bit noisy like clunking on occasion depending when you hit the gas on a corner or traction where you are. As far as the cover I used Black RTV by Permatex.
Works great no leaks and after you put the cap on you can smooth the excess and it makes a nice neat job and you don't see it like that orange crap I see people use.

I might just add a set of these to the front and rear of my truck if they have them for our trucks. Works good and economical not sure how the ESP would react?

 

I changed my rear diff fluid last night. I got to say...what a pita taking of the rear cover. They used so much RTV from the factory that it covered the entire surface contact area of both the differential and the cover. Even the bolts were covered in RTV. It took forever to remove it. It took even longer to scrape the crap off as there was so much of it. I was running out of daylight so I couldn't remove all of the RTV. I applied the factory mopar (black) silicone and seems to be holding. I only used a little as you do not need all that much. I was scared that it would leak...due to the fact there was some old stuff left over, but it seems to be holding. I'll check it out tonight when I get home. It should be a lot easier next time around.

Anyone know how to get to the front one? Seems to be a tight area.

 

I'm getting ready to do it for the second time. I'm a heavy tower and according to the book it is inspect/change every 18k. I didn't want to pay the hacks at the dealer $100 to "inspect" the fluid, so I figure just change it every 18k or so. I went with Amsoil, no additional additive.

Pretty simple really, remove bolts, remove RTV, replace RTV, replace bolts, fill. Took about 1.5 hours for me.

I used "Gasket Maker" RTV from the parts store. Don't remember if it was the black stuff or the orange stuff...

 

Why are you guys changing this so frequently? Under normal driving conditions this shouldnt have to be done for 100000 miles.

 

Page 496 of the 2009 Ram Owners Manual

18,000 Miles (30,000 km) or
18 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
❏ Rotate the tires.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid,
change if using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer


My question is: Can you syphon the fluid out of the fill hole and then refill?????

 

it' doesn't

 

Some quick lube places do it that way but I wonder do they get that dirt that is on the bottom when it done running out?