Fluid in the driveway

[Low_Sky]

Good info here, where did you relocate the breather tubes to? Any pictures?
Thanks

Top of the firewall and behind the left brake light for the rear axle. The factory hoses aren’t long enough to reach, so you have buy new hose for this mod. The evap vent/breather is tricky because it isn’t a rubber hose. It’s a hard plastic tube, and is a larger size than all the others.


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[BWL]

I really wouldn't book to change them all if not due. Just have them all checked if you're uncomfortable doing it yourself and change any cases that have signs of moisture. On the occasions I go in for an oil change they take small samples of all the cases just for a visual check to see how dirty or contaminated they may be. If the case is full of foamy white crud they'll have to pull the cover and clean it out vs just drain and fill.

 

[56PW17]

So the rear diff was fine. Had the fluid changed anyway.

On to the front

As you can see by the photos this diff is in very bad shape. Having it cleaned and lube as we speak. Tech doesnt think this was from a power washing session.

I am the second owner and have never checked the diff before. I have never had the truck in water. I did have both hubs replaced soon after buying the truck. Thinking the water was in the diff for a while.

The oil is close to spackling in terms of viscosity. Out plan is to flush the diff on the next oil change in 2500 miles and see how things are.

 

[22hemi13]

So the rear diff was fine. Had the fluid changed anyway.

On to the front

As you can see by the photos this diff is in very bad shape. Having it cleaned and lube as we speak. Tech doesnt think this was from a power washing session.

I am the second owner and have never checked the diff before. I have never had the truck in water. I did have both hubs replaced soon after buying the truck. Thinking the water was in the diff for a while.

The oil is close to spackling in terms of viscosity. Out plan is to flush the diff on the next oil change in 2500 miles and see how things are.

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Holy hell

 

[turkeybird56]

WELL 56P, Good thang U got to a shop and have opened up, drained and cleaned out and re-lubed. What a friggin mess.....Make sure they put the right viscosity oil in the front, as the front is different than the back. Off the top of my head, it is a 75W something,. I am sure one of the gear heads on here, can chime in with the proper number. Also, I am not sure whether or not the front diff gets the additive, again, maybe somebody can chime in with a heck of a Lot more knowledge than this Boird...

 

[Low_Sky]

WELL 56P, Good thang U got to a shop and have opened up, drained and cleaned out and re-lubed. What a friggin mess.....Make sure they put the right viscosity oil in the front, as the front is different than the back. Off the top of my head, it is a 75W something,. I am sure one of the gear heads on here, can chime in with the proper number. Also, I am not sure whether or not the front diff gets the additive, again, maybe somebody can chime in with a heck of a Lot more knowledge than this Boird...

Neither front nor rear gets LSD additive. Not needed for the lockers or for the helical type LSD in the rear.


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[BWL]

Good they pulled the cover. If they cleaned it up before they refilled it with some solvent then it should be fine now. Its not like an engine where water in the oil is a sign of other problems. I suspect they didn't feel they cleaned it completely so thats why they're suggesting changing it again soon to get the remainder out. I agree that this is a good idea. Chances are if you didn't ever service it and the vents look un damaged the previous owner took it through some deep puddles.

 

[crash68]

Holy sweet mother of Neptune, looks like that front dif was swimming!

Make sure they put the right viscosity oil in the front, as the front is different than the back. Off the top of my head, it is a 75W something,. I am sure one of the gear heads on here, can chime in with the proper number. Also, I am not sure whether or not the front diff gets the additive

The HD trucks use 75W-90 GL5 synthetic differential lube front and rear. Friction Modifier additive is not needed, the HD trucks don't use a clutch based limited slip.

 

[Low_Sky]

If none of the seals on the axle are leaking, the breather tube is the only way for water to get in or out. That looks worse than one intense power wash session.

The factory breather location is awful. The end of the breather is exposed to splashes in the wheel well, and if you’re driving through water deep enough to cool a hot axle it puts the breather tube on a suck. Prefect recipe for ^^this.

My water in the diff was just a few drops that I caught during a planned fluid swap. What a mess you had in there.


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[56PW17]

If none of the seals on the axle are leaking, the breather tube is the only way for water to get in or out. That looks worse than one intense power wash session.

The factory breather location is awful. The end of the breather is exposed to splashes in the wheel well, and if you’re driving through water deep enough to cool a hot axle it puts the breather tube on a suck. Prefect recipe for ^^this.

My water in the diff was just a few drops that I caught during a planned fluid swap. What a mess you had in there.


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Wondering if the right viscosity now will reveal an axel leak. Really appreciate everyones help. Im at OK4WD in stewartsville NJ. Only place i trust to do the job right. These guys are awesome!

 

[56PW17]

Top of the firewall and behind the left brake light for the rear axle. The factory hoses aren’t long enough to reach, so you have buy new hose for this mod. The evap vent/breather is tricky because it isn’t a rubber hose. It’s a hard plastic tube, and is a larger size than all the others.


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What length and size hose did you use?

 

[Low_Sky]

What length and size hose did you use?

3/8” for all the gearboxes, 5/8” for the fuel evap. Don’t recall how much I used, but get more than you think you’ll need. You can’t stretch it if you don’t have enough.

The transmission, t-case and fuel vents all start near each other and need to go over the transmission to the passenger side of the firewall to keep them away from the exhaust. The front axle can go up to the driver side of the firewall.


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[Meister]

I bought mine new, 14k on it maybe I should have it changed hmmmm

 

[56PW17]

I bought mine new, 14k on it maybe I should have it changed hmmmm

Have it checked before you change it no need to break the seal if you dont have too. The rear diff has fluid in it that will last 500k miles now. I dont plan on doing this often.

 

[Bock]

How would they clean that axle out? The only way I can think would be pressure wash then let it dry and fill with some kind of solvent drive it (short distance) re drain, fill with gear oil and then drain again after so may miles. That or a complete tear down.

 

[G. Mcpherson]

Have it checked before you change it no need to break the seal if you dont have too. The rear diff has fluid in it that will last 500k miles now. I dont plan on doing this often.

Might want to check that number.

 

[56PW17]

Might want to check that number.

Why?

 

[56PW17]

How would they clean that axle out? The only way I can think would be pressure wash then let it dry and fill with some kind of solvent drive it (short distance) re drain, fill with gear oil and then drain again after so may miles. That or a complete tear down.

They sprayed it with break cleaner for about 2 hours.

 

[G. Mcpherson]

500k on Differential fluid?
Replace front differential fluid (4x4)

15,000 miles/12 months under severe conditions

Replace rear differential fluid

15,000 miles/12 months under severe conditions

 

[olyelr]

500k on Differential fluid?

Yea I could see maybe 50k.