Worth getting the differential fluids changed?

[BDinTX]

I read that if you submerge your transfer case you should change fluid immediately (otherwise @60k). So double dose was double due and figured that might be good advice for the diffs too. The ARB covers have HUGE magnets on the drain plug and they looked pretty good.

Transfer case: 63,944 05/03/25
Diff oil: 30,694 6/4/23, 45,442 4/13/24 51,761 9/14/24 (REAR ONLY), 63,944 05/03/25

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[grimmjeeper]

I read that if you submerge your transfer case you should change fluid immediately (otherwise @60k). So double dose was double due and figured that might be good advice for the diffs too. The ARB covers have HUGE magnets on the drain plug and they looked pretty good.

Transfer case: 63,944 05/03/25
Diff oil: 30,694 6/4/23, 45,442 4/13/24 51,761 9/14/24 (REAR ONLY), 63,944 05/03/25

You should at least check your diff after submerging it. Take off the fill plug and dip something into the oil. I use a pinky finger. If the oil still looks like oil, you're good. If it looks like a milkshake, drain it, clean it thoroughly, then refill.

 

[watchluvr4ever1116]

Easy job and the Valvoline squeeze bags make doing it a breeze. However, it smells absolutely awful. I think I was still smelling it a week after doing the job.

 

[Kracka]

You should at least check your diff after submerging it. Take off the fill plug and dip something into the oil. I use a pinky finger. If the oil still looks like oil, you're good. If it looks like a milkshake, drain it, clean it thoroughly, then refill.

This is what I like the sight glass on our aFe covers (in addition to the drain plugs and extended magnets).

 

[Terrymo]

I always change diff fluid every 100K miles.

Do you ever take it off road? Why the 100k mile interval?

 

[Jay_NM]

Do you ever take it off road? Why the 100k mile interval?

I live off road. Yes I do. Just what I have done with all my vehicles for the past 40 years.

 

[Terrymo]

I live off road. Yes I do. Just what I have done with all my vehicles for the past 40 years.

I’m assuming you know the owners manual suggests a more frequent interval if towing or off roading. No judgement, it’s your Jeep. If frequently off-roading I would want to inspect and change the diff oil far more frequently than even the owners manual suggests, but that’s just me

 

[Jay_NM]

I’m assuming you know the owners manual suggests a more frequent interval if towing or off roading. No judgement, it’s your Jeep. If frequently off-roading I would want to inspect and change the diff oil far more frequently than even the owners manual suggests, but that’s just me

Thanks for the information. I’ve never seen a vehicle owners manual that recommended that frequency of differential fluid changes. I will check that out.

 

[Donack31]

Not anymore, they eliminated the drain plug. However, a small pump can be used from the fill plug to remove MOST of the old fluid, a method I’ll be using since I got metal clock diff skids making cover removal more of a job. Had the fluid changed right before skid install at 15k miles.

That's crazy. I have a 2019. Wouldn't think they'd actually go backwards. That's why I didn't even question it I just changed mine, with the plugs it was really easy. I'm guessing too many people like me who are fine doing basic maintenance were doing it themselves and not bringing it in to be serviced

 

[C.Sco]

I feel a little less negligent now after reading this thread... I'm at 35k miles and still on factory diff fluid, I was starting to worry maybe I've been waiting too long to change it but I guess I'm probably okay. Still going to change it soon anyways just to be safe.

How about transfer case fluid?

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