The only estimate that was given is the first quarter of 2013. Nothing further then what was released via the letter customers should have received has been given to me as of yet. I cannot dispute what the dealer is saying as I don't know what the procedure calls for at this point. If it is just the nut replacement then they may not need to drain the fluid but will there also be an inspection of the rear differential as part of the procedure? Without the recall procedure direction it is impossible to say for certain at this point. If you feel that you need to have the differential fluid replaced before the parts are available then I would suggest you do so. I cannot tell you to wait based on a procedure I am not sure of yet. It could also be possible that parts delay happens. There is just not enough information at this point for me to say exactly. As soon as the repair procedure can be obtained I will post it here

 

I've been thinking that it is probably time to replace the fluids in my axles and transfer case, but when I started reading my manual to find out more details I noticed that the maintenance schedules don't call for fluid replacement of either for at least 100K miles if you don't drive in extreme conditions (dusty, towing, frequent stop/go, taxi, etc.). Given my 'normal' driving patterns I'm thinking this means all I have to do is check fluid levels and call it good? This does make sense to me, since if the factory used synthetic fluids they SHOULD be able to last 100K miles in absence of extreme use conditions. Heck, my old '96 Blazer also had 100K service intervals on these components.

Anyone know if I'm misinterpreting the recommended intervals or otherwise have a compelling reason to replace these fluids ahead of schedule?

Rob

 

you may not want to use synthetics but i read an article in a magazine where they dynoed a V8 dakota then changed the fluids to synthetic and picked up 15hp. that's worth the cost and the savings in wear on parts.

 

Are you sure the stuff in the rear axle is synthetic?

You're right about the intervals. I went ahead and used the severe intervals because I like to do my own maintenance, and tow on occasion. I wanted to examine the Ring and Pinion gears and get the "break in" gear oil out. I took pictures of the gears wear/contact pattern for records.