Dealer wants $660 to change differential fluid

[Revolution_322]

That is really bad advice.

Thats not really bad advise . Spending 660 to drop diff fluid at 30 k on an open diff is not needed if yr driving highway.

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[Revolution_322]

The driver side axle shaft is still spinning the spider gears in the front differential.

The rear absolutely gets more wear & tear, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the front.

The diff on the front is not spinning on the highway.

 

[Germansheperd]

Thats not really bad advise . Spending 660 to drop diff fluid at 30 k on an open diff is not needed if yr driving highway.

We all know $660 is WAY beyond the proper ‘going rate’. Changing diff fluid at 30k is a great idea for increased longevity and reducing the possibilities of issues down the road. Gear lube is cheap, differentials and drivetrain issues are not.

 

[BrntWS6]

Thats not really bad advise . Spending 660 to drop diff fluid at 30 k on an open diff is not needed if yr driving highway.

Certainly can not use that price as a benchmark. Replacing diff fluid in these is about the equivalent to an oil change In time and material cost.

Every rear end builder i have talked to has recommended replacing gear oil after the first 500miles.

 

[CarbonSteel]

That is really bad advice.

Agreed, particularly given the amount of metal that I had in my D44 at only 5K miles:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/first-axle-oc-uoa-results.42567/

Nearly all axle wear occurs at 15K miles or less.

 

[Germansheperd]

I usually do my vehicles 5-10k

 

[SecondTJ]

The diff on the front is not spinning on the highway.

Sure does.

Only the passenger side axle shaft “disconnects” into two-sections so the r&p don’t turn but the driver side is a one piece shaft that is always spinning the guts of the front differential

 

[CarbonSteel]

Sure does.

Only the passenger side axle shaft “disconnects” into two-sections so the r&p don’t turn but the driver side is a one piece shaft that is always spinning the guts of the front differential

Agreed. The UOA of my front axle at 5K had 80PPM of iron in it so something is turning since I have not used 4x4 mode yet.

 

[BrntWS6]

I wish I would have saved some of my rear diff fluid for a UOA since it was so black. I am going to change it again in 5,000 miles and may test it depending on how it looks. It's cheap peace of mind even using a top tier fluid like Amsoil. I still have 1/2 quart left so it will only be $22.00 with the friction modifier. You only need 3 quarts to do front and rear in case anyone is curious.

 

[Revolution_322]

Sure does.

Only the passenger side axle shaft “disconnects” into two-sections so the r&p don’t turn but the driver side is a one piece shaft that is always spinning the guts of the front differential

Why doesnt the shaft rotate then? Its not a pinion disconnect

 

[SecondTJ]

Why doesnt the shaft rotate then? Its not a pinion disconnect

The axle shafts are connected to the internal gears of the differential, not the ring gear.

 

[Tjbrlecic1]

My ah-shit moment when I was changing the oil on the truck.
I

 

[JeepDave]

My ah-shit moment when I was changing the oil on the truck.
I

A lot of people put a pan of some sort under there to catch the oil, but, to each his own I guess...

 

[Jeep4Life0112]

This is my first Jeep and have been loving the process of learning to do a lot of the PM tasks myself. So far I have done every oil change and tire rotation myself. I am currently at just over 33,000 miles. Should I be swapping out the differential fluid in the near future? Also. are there other reasons to take my JLUR into the dealer now that I have exceeded 30,000?

 

[Dan S]

This is my first Jeep and have been loving the process of learning to do a lot of the PM tasks myself. So far I have done every oil change and tire rotation myself. I am currently at just over 33,000 miles. Should I be swapping out the differential fluid in the near future? Also. are there other reasons to take my JLUR into the dealer now that I have exceeded 30,000?

There's a complete list of service intervals in the owner's manual. The diff fluid is to be inspected at 25 or 3k, replace as needed.

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