Changing diff fluid

Post by **ldgregory** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 3:00 pm

I started getting the flashing rear locker and while the diff fluid had been changed at Chrysler a couple years back, I was pretty sure they didn't clean the magnets. So I decided to tear into it today and check it out. As I suspected the rear locker magnet was a big ball of particles suspended in gooey diff fluid. Did a quick little video here: http://powerwagonregistry.org/temp/IMG_1143.MOV

Cleaned it all up and then did the front which was in much better condition. One quick question to those of you who have been digging around in there... Pics 3, 4, 5 are of the rear diff and it looks like the gears are eating their way through the housing. Just doesn't seem right to me.

At any rate, took her for a test drive over some rough roads which was normally when the rear locker light would start flashing. Everything looks good and she locks up nice and quick again.

Post by **Pit Slave** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 3:45 pm

Pics 3, 4, and 5 are normal machine clearances from the factory when they did the manufacturing of the diff. They don't debur the housing when they finished the assembly, it's not needed because it's contained within. It is not a wear through, most if not all the e-locker 10.5" AAM diffs look like this new.

Post by **ldgregory** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 3:48 pm

Good to know. Thanks bud.

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 6:54 pm

2X on what Chris said. Also those cuts are there for fluid flow throw the carrier.

Post by **ldgregory** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:27 pm

Good to know. They just looked unfinished and had me wondering. So I drove around running errands and that didn't clear up the problem entirely, though it's much less frequent with the flashing rear locker light, so I'll look at all the connectors next.

Post by **Cactus Red** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:06 pm

At least you didn't let the smoke out of the magnet assy...

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:11 pm

Cactus Red wrote:At least you didn't let the smoke out of the magnet assy...

Post by **SilverWagon05** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:20 am

ldgregory wrote:Good to know. They just looked unfinished and had me wondering. So I drove around running errands and that didn't clear up the problem entirely, though it's much less frequent with the flashing rear locker light, so I'll look at all the connectors next.

So your lights flashing just driving around in 2wd? Or when trying to engage the locker?

TwinStick · Post by **TwinStick** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 11:12 am

RustyPW wrote:2X on what Chris said. Also those cuts are there for fluid flow throw the carrier.

Mine has them also. I thought the same thing------- WTF !!! Keep your pics so you can compare them down the road. Thats the only way to tell if they get worse.

BlkWgn · Post by **BlkWgn** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 2:20 pm

Mine is probably well past due, so what fluid are you guys using?

Post by **ldgregory** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:52 pm

SilverWagon05 wrote:
ldgregory wrote:Good to know. They just looked unfinished and had me wondering. So I drove around running errands and that didn't clear up the problem entirely, though it's much less frequent with the flashing rear locker light, so I'll look at all the connectors next.
So your lights flashing just driving around in 2wd? Or when trying to engage the locker?

Just in 2WD driving around. Though maybe yesterday was a fluke. We did some road tripping today out to Acoma Pueblo for the bike race and spent most of the day out there driving around to Malpais and Ice Caves etc and didn't see the flashing locker once. I'll just keep watching it.

Post by **Cactus Red** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:11 pm

BlkWgn wrote:Mine is probably well past due, so what fluid are you guys using?

75/90W Synthetic - I used Valvoline when I did mine.

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:56 pm

BlkWgn wrote:Mine is probably well past due, so what fluid are you guys using?

Mobil 1 75-90w

Juday · Post by **Juday** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:35 pm

When do you suggest the first change of the differential fluids? I've got 14k on the clock right now and I'm debating how much longer to wait...

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:08 pm

I did mine at about 10,000 miles. That's about when I put my Rock Crusher cover on too.

Throttle 8 · Post by **Throttle 8** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:19 pm

Royal Purple 75/90 synthetic this July with 30k on the clock.

Post by **ldgregory** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:42 pm

RustyPW wrote:
BlkWgn wrote:Mine is probably well past due, so what fluid are you guys using?
Mobil 1 75-90w

X2!

GunniPWguy · Post by **GunniPWguy** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 10:28 am

Cactus Red wrote:At least you didn't let the smoke out of the magnet assy...

Hey! I resemble that comment.

Hilldweller · Post by **Hilldweller** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:15 am

ldgregory wrote:
RustyPW wrote:
BlkWgn wrote:Mine is probably well past due, so what fluid are you guys using?
Mobil 1 75-90w
X2!

X3 on the M-1.

I changed mine at about 22K miles.

Post by **myoung84** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:14 pm

How many of you are putting in the GP101 Filter Mags? I have already installed one in the rear and have one ready to go on the front, just waiting on buying a diff guard before I change the fluid. Also using Mobil 1 75w-90.

Post by **Cactus Red** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:01 pm

myoung84 wrote:How many of you are putting in the GP101 Filter Mags? I have already installed one in the rear and have one ready to go on the front, just waiting on buying a diff guard before I change the fluid. Also using Mobil 1 75w-90.

The DT-ProFab rear diff guard has megnets on both drain plugs. Between them and the locker magnets, the oil stays pretty clean...

Throttle 8 · Post by **Throttle 8** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:00 pm

I didn't bother. When I changed the fluid in mine, the magnets were very clean at 30k miles. A quick clean up with a q-tip, and she should be good to 50k.

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:45 am

Cactus Red wrote:
myoung84 wrote:How many of you are putting in the GP101 Filter Mags? I have already installed one in the rear and have one ready to go on the front, just waiting on buying a diff guard before I change the fluid. Also using Mobil 1 75w-90.
The DT-ProFab rear diff guard has megnets on both drain plugs. Between them and the locker magnets, the oil stays pretty clean...

Power Wagon Registry

Changing diff fluid

Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid

Re: Changing diff fluid