Power Wagon Registry

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.

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.

Good to know. Thanks bud.

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

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Mobil 1 75-90w

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...

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

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

RustyPW wrote:

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

Mobil 1 75-90w

X2!

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

Hey! I resemble that comment.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...