LOL - time and mileage will tell, but with these axles, I would not hold my breath!
Yeah, a high iron count in the fluid will certainly contribute to the conductivity of the oil. Gear oil itself isn't really conductive to begin with when it's sitting static. Once the fluid is churned and oxidized a bit, that changes. I think, either way, especially in any kind of gearbox where two metallic components are meshing, if that sensor seal had failed, the sensor will fail. Hi or low iron count won't matter.@rockadile @DanW - here is the latest UOA on the rear axle. I did change the fluid at 20K so this UOA is for 5K miles--these miles were long road trips and the average fluid temperature was right at 200°F. Nothing unusual noted and I will continue to monitor, but I remain surprised at the amount of iron these axles produce.
@chevymitchell - I also wonder if this is a major contributor to the ELD sensor failing (such high levels of iron in the oil). Granted the seals failing on the sensor are likely the primary reason, but with this amount of iron (particularly for the guys who have not changed it) a leak is almost guaranteed to produce a short. Thoughts?
Truth be told, I am not sure. I would have expected the iron to have dropped in the sub-100PPM range per 5K miles by now, but this is my first experience with a Dana 44 Advantek. Ford axles (Dana 60, Ford 9.75, Ford 10.5) would have definitely reached that stage by now.
Thanks! I am currently running Mobil 1 75w140 in my rear axle, so I may do a UOA when I change it out, which will probably be at 25k. I'll have to look at my maintenance log to see what the total miles on the Jeep will be.@rockadile @DanW - here is the latest UOA on the rear axle. I did change the fluid at 20K so this UOA is for 5K miles--these miles were long road trips and the average fluid temperature was right at 200°F. Nothing unusual noted and I will continue to monitor, but I remain surprised at the amount of iron these axles produce.
@chevymitchell - I also wonder if this is a major contributor to the ELD sensor failing (such high levels of iron in the oil). Granted the seals failing on the sensor are likely the primary reason, but with this amount of iron (particularly for the guys who have not changed it) a leak is almost guaranteed to produce a short. Thoughts?
I wouldn´t break too much of a sweat over that. I´ve done the initial change on most of my differentials at 50k and I´ve never had one wear out. The only problem I ever had with one was due to a deep water crossing on the Dana 35 in my YJ. 100% my fault for not swapping out the fluid afterward.
Theres your problem. Needs a much bigger magnet. ?Another update - so I added another 5K from a road trip recently. I caught another sample and went ahead and dumped the remainder--it had 15K miles on it. These axles definitely shed more iron than any axle I have owned or had experience with. The oil was pretty dark (new Amsoil is nearly clear) and had some sparkles in it.
The drain plug was completely cleaned at 5K miles and here it is again at 20K Miles (15K miles since the last cleaning). The bottom photo is it after cleaning. I am not sure what all of you are doing, but I am glad that I changed it at 5K and again at 20K. I will resample again at 25K and see where we are. I will post the 20K UOA results when I have them.
@rockadile @DanW
Why not use 75-140 on both ends? Overkill on the front, but easier to just buy 1 jug IMHO. The cold viscosity is the same, but you get better hi-temp protection on the 140. I live in FL and mainly do city or offroad driving, so I typically go as big as possible on the top number on all fluids.
GearFX are good guys and good process.
I ran polished gears in my camaro, as well. There’s a noticeable difference, especially in heat.
Same; I have not decided whether I will regear or not, but if/when I do, I will definitely have them polished in the hopes it will break-in faster and produce less iron.
