I did my first 15k diff changes. I replaced my cover with a Mag-Hytec cover. Everything went well. I put in amsoil severe gear oil. I filled it til the oill came out of the reference hole(5quarts) I didn`t read the instructions[:@] I thought I was done. I drove the truck for a thousand miles, and 2nite read on the net, how you are suppose to continue to add oil past the reference hole. So I drove 1,000 miles 2-3/4 quarts low. I don`t think the oil reference hole is even up to the axle tube. Do you think a thousand milles of driving could have caused damage? I`m worried about it now.

 

that I dont know, usualy you fill the diff up to the reference hole, unless otherwise specified. I know on the AAM axels you are supposed to fill it to 1/4 inch below the fill hole.

the only way to tell if damage has occured is to drain some of the oil and see if there are at metal shavings. if none then your good.

 

honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. If you forgot to put any in it, then you would have some serious issues, but since you caught it fairly soon, you should be okay.

 

OK, stupid question. How did you get oil into the diff past the ref. hole (fill hole)? All the axles I've dealt with only have the one fill hole on the cover. And your saying you needed almost 8 quarts of oil? I am about to do this, and I just don't want to screw it up.

 

I`m sure its fine because the reference hole is about the factory level. With the new cover the level is higher than factory. In between the bottom of the axle tube and the axle shaft. The oil goes in at the dipstick hole ine the top of the cover. And it is 8 quarts with the mag hytec cover.

 

oh. gotcha