When I went to my dealership to get my windows fixed, they recommended changing the rear differential fluid, but wanted $149. This was already on my to-do list, but how hard is it to change the fluid yourself? I thought all you had to do is unbolt the fill plug on top so it drains faster, and unbolt the drain bolt. then re-fill, kinda like changing oil... does it seem too easy, or is that all there is to it? also, where do I get the synthetic fluid, what brand, how much, etc...

thanks in advance, John

 

90weight valvoline or whatever you want pop the top plug and then drain the fluid. 45min job for 150 bucks

 

****....your in Austin......I'll do it for $150 bucks and I'll even buy beer and pizza!!!

James

 

Nothin to it man, if yours has a drain plug pop it and let it drain. If not pop the cover and be sure to clean off the magnet while it's off.... as for filling it you don't need any fancy pump or whatever just squeeze the bottles in until it's full (tell by filling until it drips out fill plug) mine took just over 2 quarts. I used Royal Purple's max gear oil 75x90, it was over $10/qt .

One more thing, if you do have to take the cover off be sure to have a new gasket or at least some gasket maker for re-installation.

 

I will come down and supervise for free with beer and pizza available .

On my truck I just pulled the drain plug and filled it back up, cost like $25 in oil (Mobile 1) and took about 15 min.

 

Check your owners manual but for the late models with synthetic dope there is no service interval if i'm not mistaken. That doesn't mean it does not need changing though. I wouldn't worry about it unless you have over 100k on it or do a lot of towing. Just my $.02. I kinda feel they may have been trying to take you....especially for $149

 

well the truck has the towing package with locking rear diff., and the truck has been from Texas to Maryland and back twice. The truck has 61k, so I just thought I'd be safe and change it. I know my brother talked about changing it before he sold it to me, and the dealership recommended it, so I should just do it. especially if it's a 45min job with less than $30 parts...

closest red neck- haha thanks for the offer but of course that would be illegal since I'm only 18 haha j/k

 

I think the manual calls for 75-90 synthetic.

 

none of the stores I went to had Royal Purple, so I got Mobil1 75-90 Synthetic


do I have to pull off the cover? I went ahead and bought gasket sealer just in case I do, but if I do, are there certain torque specs for the Fill, Drain, and cover bolts?

 

make sure you put a limited slip addative in there if you have a clutch style locker like an aftermarket eaton diff

also dont use synthetic if you have a clutch style diff it will cause the clutch to slip says so on the installation card