Took my 2009 5.7 in for a check-up at 44,500 miles and the Dealer says I'm overdue for what they call a "4x4 Service". This consists of changing the Front and Rear Differential as well as Transfer Case Fluids. Is this necessary? If so, is this something that your average Joe can accomplish in his driveway? Any help or instruction would be greatly appreciated!

 

Manual says to check front and rear at 18K, 36K, Transfer case at 30K. If needed, change. With 44K, I would say it is reasonable to change out the fluids. Many on this site change their own. If you have limited slip rear end, you need to add the proper amount of additive along with the oil.

If you don't want to do it yourself, you can have the dealer do it, or any private garage. Private garages are generally cheaper.

 

T-case fluid change is honestly easier than changing your engine oil. 1/2 inch wrench, unscrew the fill plug, unscrew the drain plug, screw the drain plug, fill till it comes out, screw the fill plug.

Diffs - lazy guy way - get a pump, suck out old fluid, refill

 

NEVER, EVER EVER just pump out the old diff fluid and refill. Number one, you don't get the shavings and contaminants out that suspend in the fluid when movement exists but fall to and stick to the magnet when you are not driving!
Number two, you REALLY need to inspect the ring and pinion at change time for proper wear pattern and look for any possible damage. Number three, with the track record of these diffs with factory LSDs and the number of catastrophic failures due to failed clips, you REALLY need to inspect the LSD if so epuipped.

If you aren't going to do it properly, then take your wallet out and pay someone to do it right...


Back to the OP: Transfer case and differential fluid change as a rule of thumb should be 30k, unless severe use, heavy constant towing, etc. then I'd move it to 15k...

 

What is it you look for when inspecting things? Is there a picture somewhere showing 'good wear' versus 'bad wear'? I like doing my own maint. so anything I can learn I try to...

Thanks,
Rob

 

Well, first of all, you don't want to see any metal in the diff housing or stuck to the magnet. Fine particles are normal, but anything bigger than a grain of sand is indicative of issues.

Look at the LSD if you have one and carefully inspect the clips for broken pieces. Dodge swears they have fixed the dreaded "C-Clip" issue that has caused so many rear end failures since the 2nd Gens were introduced in 1994, but they swore that with the introduction of the 3rd Gens and again when they did a slight re-design in '06 and they are still self destructing on people.

Check the ring/pinion gear for wear. small, even wear is normal but you don't want to see uneven wear on the teeth and especially don't want to find chips in teeth or teeth missing.

This is a pic of some teeth with chips out of them, no good:



Broken "C-Clip" found in diff. this is impending disaster as the pieces will eventually tear up the gears and could cause the entire housing to fail:

 

Thanks for the tips, Hammer.

 

I know it cost a little more but every 30K miles I have let my dealer do the differential fluids change. They recommend it, make a bit of profit off of me but it's just a nice peace of mind thing. I've got the lifetime warranty but I really don't want to have to use it and be inconvienanced if I can prevent it with a little extra care. Just my thoughts.

 

I agree with changing the 30000 mile change of the diferential and or transfer case fluid, but if you look at the maintenance schedule it always says inspect, and chnage if you using for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.
I would personally rather be on the safe side and change it.


Perform Maintenance Every Maintenance Items
(Where time and mileage are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Miles Kilometers Months
6000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.

12000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
Inspect the CV joints. Perform the first inspection at 20 000 km (12,000 miles) or 12 months.
Inspect the exhaust system. Perform the first inspection at 20 000 km (12,000 miles) or 12 months.

18000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

24000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
Inspect the CV joints.
Inspect the exhaust system.
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals and replace if necessary.

30000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
Replace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engine).
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L and 5.7L engines).
Inspect the transfer case fluid.

36000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

42000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.

48000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Inspect the CV joints.
Inspect the exhaust system.
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals and replace if necessary.

54000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

60000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Replace the ignition cables (3.7L engine).
Replace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engine).
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L and 5.7L engines).
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
Change the transfer case fluid if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 60 months if not done at 170 000 km (102,000 miles).

66000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.

72000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Inspect the CV joints.
Inspect the exhaust system.
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals and replace if necessary.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

78000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.

84000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.

90000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
Replace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engine).
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L and 5.7L engines).
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. †
Inspect the transfer case fluid.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

96000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Inspect the CV joints.
Inspect the exhaust system.
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals and replace if necessary.

102000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Replace the ignition cables (4.7L engine).
Replace the side row of spark plugs (4.7L engine).
Flush and replace the engine coolant if not done at 60 months.

108000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

114000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.

120000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
Replace the ignition cables (3.7L engine).
Replace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engine).
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L and 5.7L engines).
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Inspect the CV joints.
Inspect the exhaust system.
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals and replace if necessary.
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter(s).
Change the transfer case fluid if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
Replace the accessory drive belt(s).

126000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.

132000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.

138000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.

144000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
If using the vehicle for dusty or off-road conditions, inspect the engine air cleaner filter and replace if necessary.
Inspect the brake linings and replace if necessary.
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. Change if using the vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.
Inspect the CV joints.
Inspect the exhaust system.
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals and replace if necessary.

150000 Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.
Rotate the tires.
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
Replace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engine).
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L and 5.7L engines).
Inspect the transfer case fluid.

 

So, based on the maintenance schedule 'directions', how would one go about 'inspecting' the axle fluid and transfer case fluid? There are no dipsticks and nothing to really see unless you drain the fluid. And at that point you may as well just replace it. What would the dealer do to inspect it? Would they stick something in the filler hole to get a sample of the fluid?

Rob