Coolant / Brake / Power Steering Flush

[dstone84]

I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 Hemi with about 75,000 miles on it. I plan on taking it in for service this week and was wondering what do I need to have done. Last time I was at the dealership they mentioned I needed to flush my coolant fluid, a brake flush, and a power steering flush. Are all these usually all necessary?

Also, I recently had to get the radiator replaced after an accident. Therefore I am guessing I can skip the coolant flush because I am assuming it was done when the new radiator was installed.

Lastly, I am hearing an awful noise coming from the rear. My last rear differential service was at 50K miles. How often should i have the rear differential service completed?

 

[soSincerious]

Brake fluid is recommended every 2 years by the DOT. Not sure on the other 2, check your owners manual?

If I were to guess I would say 60k for the P/S and 90 - 100k for the coolant. Wouldn't be a bad idea to change your thermostat while doing coolant, and check any coolant hoses that might be seeping / leaking.

 

[CherryRed]

Your truck likely has the 5 year coolant. If the radiator was replaced recently, there was probably enough fresh coolant added to safely extend your next flush to 5 years from this work. Brake fluid is a toss-up. Some people say every 2 years, all to way to some saying never flush it. My point of view is it certainly doesn't hurt to flush, for that piece of mind. Power steering is something that gets hot and gets stressed a lot, it's a good idea to flush it on a scheduled basis.

 

[novelmike]

Even though that's what should have been done, and what WE would do, they probably did not do it. Unless of course it has gallons of coolant on your invoice and they charged for a coolant flush on the motor.
I would bet that they drained the coolant when they replaced the radiator and put that same coolant back in. Then topped it off to replace any coolant that was lost. Most shops do not do work free of charge. So if its not on paper they did it, don't assume they did it.
At least that's was my experience when the auto body shop replaced my radiator on my Ram two months ago.

 

[Hootbro]

Changing the rear diff fluid is not going to fix your noise problem (may mask it somewhat) as the damage is already done. More likely you are going to be looking at pinion and/or carrier bearings at a minimum.