Surprised!! Differentials and transfer case fluid change at 150K

[andymax]

I first changed my diffs and transfer case fluids at 75K miles. At that time the rear diff fluid was pretty gray and dirty. The front diff fluid was still pretty clean (not surprising), and the transfer case fluid was sort of in the middle, it looked well used but not too bad. (yes, I know the appearance alone doesn't say much).

Given the vast majority of my miles are highway and very little towing the last few years, I figured waiting to 150K to change the fluids again wasn't too much of a stretch, though I expected the same results as above. I was very surprised to see that each of the fluids looked damn near as good as the new stuff I just put in. The rear fluid in particular was surprising, but I'm very happy all around.

Curious for your opinions...was my surprise at the appearance of the fluid warranted? Yes, I also recognize some of you will think my service interval is too long.

 

[Mojo88]

Recently bought a '19 Longhorn 1500 with 55k miles. I'm a maintenance fanatic, plus I have a 4-post lift in my garage. While it was up on lift, I noticed the drain plug in rear diff. My truck was a lease vehicle, so I'm almost 100% certain the diff fluid was never changed.

I figured, what the heck, probably not needed, but let's change the rear diff fluid. When I took out the drain plug, the fluid that came out looked like new, lol. I was happy about that.

Next time it's up on the lift, I will do transfer case and front diff.

 

[andymax]

That 4-post lift would sure be nice. Maybe someday...

 

[rzr6-4]

I changed mine at 200K. It was very dark, but luckily there were no shavings, deposits or otherwise inside (I pulled the cover).

That said, I bought it at 165K, and I have no idea if/when it was changed by previous owners.

 

[Hootbro]

Does not surprise me your second fluid change looked good on what came out. That first fluid change at 75K got rid of 90% of wear material that came from the initial break in.

 

[Dusty]

I first changed my diffs and transfer case fluids at 75K miles. At that time the rear diff fluid was pretty gray and dirty. The front diff fluid was still pretty clean (not surprising), and the transfer case fluid was sort of in the middle, it looked well used but not too bad. (yes, I know the appearance alone doesn't say much).

Given the vast majority of my miles are highway and very little towing the last few years, I figured waiting to 150K to change the fluids again wasn't too much of a stretch, though I expected the same results as above. I was very surprised to see that each of the fluids looked damn near as good as the new stuff I just put in. The rear fluid in particular was surprising, but I'm very happy all around.

Curious for your opinions...was my surprise at the appearance of the fluid warranted? Yes, I also recognize some of you will think my service interval is too long.

It's possible that the diff case was not completely clear of manufacturing debris when it left the factory, or the first condition was the result of initial component break-in.

I noticed the very same thing on my 2014 diff.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 123497 miles.

 

[stevenP]

When my truck was new, I checked the diff fluid. There was a TSB out that stated some trucks from the factory were shipped with low diff fluids. Sure enough mine took over 3 quarts to fill to the proper (inch below fill port) level between the two diffs. My fluid was also very clear too.


Local dealer charges $275 each diff to exchange fluid!

 

[Dusty]

When my truck was new, I checked the diff fluid. There was a TSB out that stated some trucks from the factory were shipped with low diff fluids. Sure enough mine took over 3 quarts to fill to the proper (inch below fill port) level between the two diffs. My fluid was also very clear too.


Local dealer charges $275 each diff to exchange fluid!

I asked a good friend who owns his own shop about this. He said that although the price was higher than what he would charge ($245), he said it depends on the vehicle. For my 2019 with the ZF rear diff, its only $160 at his shop because the ZF's have a drain plug so there's no need to remove the diff cover, clean and reseal.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 123629 miles.

 

[ppine]

a related note. On a 2003 Jeep the diff started making odd noises at low speeds, and when changing from reverse to forward. It had been on a maintenance schedule of changing the fluid about every 40k miles. I changed it at around 75k miles and the noise completely stopped... No issues at 135 k miles.