This may sound like a dumb question to some, but i was wondering if the front diff turns (gears) while in 2x4. I'm just asking because i did an oil change on my rear diff recently and i neglected the front because i got lazy at that point and it seemed to be more complicated to pull the cover off (it had some sort of wire running on the cover if i remember right). I'm curious to know if the gears always spin in there regardless of being in 2x4 or 4x4. If yes i might do the front diff sooner than i would, i rarely use 4x4 just once in a while to make sure everything works fine and wont seize up.

Thanks for your input guys

 

The axle disconnect separates the passenger side front axle shaft in 2WD, so the spider gears spin, and the 2 halves of the passenger side front axle shaft rotate in opposite directions, while the differential itself doesn't move. It reduces wear on the front differential, and reduces rotational inertia, improving gas mileage.

 

Thanks for the reply. So if i understand right in 2wd only the spyder gear turns? and the rest of the gears don't? So if i never use 2wd the oil doesn't move around in there too much?