color of rear differential oil after 10,000 miles

max2bob · Apr 2, 2024

i have a 2014 ram 2500 tradesman and was checking fluids last weekend and when i looked at the rear differential i noticed the fluid was dark. i had changed it around 10,000 miles ago and although all those miles were towing a trailer (up to 11,000 lbs) i was not expecting it to be that dark. i used 75w90 valvoline full synthetic. i am used to dana 60 70 and 80 differentials and do not recall them getting that dark so soon after a fluid change , is this "normal" for an aam differential ? fluid smelled fine.

HEMIMANN · Apr 2, 2024

If you have a limited slip differential it is not unusual. That would be clutch shavings. If you don't, it is unusual.

If you smell burned, it is way past being overoxidized. The nose isn't a sensitive measure of oxidation, only a TAN UOA test would tell you.

If memory serves, the only two quality gear oils via studies @Burla published were Amsoil Sever Gear and Mobil 1 in 2nd place.

max2bob · Apr 2, 2024

thanks , it does have the limited slip and i might switch to amsoil next time

HEMIMANN · Apr 2, 2024

max2bob said:
thanks , it does have the limited slip and i might switch to amsoil next time

I get confused how many times Ram changed axles and suppliers. Went from Dana to AAM then did something new today.

I have a 2017 HD with AAM all gear Torsen axle. They refer to this non-limited-slip axle as "anti-spin" in marketing jargon. There are no clutch plates - it is an automatic gear locker with no electronic solenoid. All mechanical.

Best differential out there, I hear they quit it due to cost pressure from Stellantis. As if the French and Italians know anything about heavy pickup trucks in the snow.

Lsujker · Apr 2, 2024

HEMIMANN said:
I have a 2017 HD with AAM all gear Torsen axle. They refer to this non-limited-slip axle as "anti-spin" in marketing jargon. There are no clutch plates - it is an automatic gear locker with no electronic solenoid. All mechanical.

Best differential out there, I hear they quit it due to cost pressure from Stellantis. As if the French and Italians know anything about heavy pickup trucks in the snow.

Running the same axle but my experience has not been flawless like you. Rest of the truck has been perfect.

At around 10K miles, the locker would engage when the fluid was warm. Would not notice until accelerating from a stop into a turn. Changing the oil corrected this issues. The oil was very dark.

Thanks for the heads up on the Amsoil. About due.

color of rear differential oil after 10,000 miles

max2bob

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HEMIMANN

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max2bob

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HEMIMANN

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Lsujker

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