I changed my Differential Fluid on my 04 Marauder at 18,000 miles even though the owners manual said to change it at 100,000 miles, I am so glad that I did it because when I took the differential cover off and let the fluid drain it was a greyish color, this was probably from the gears breaking in, my oil plug had a little magnet on it and it was covered with a metal glop, it might be beneficial for everyone that has a new car to change out the Differential Fluid earlier, at what mileage I do not know, maybe Pablo or Gary might chime in with a certain mileage recommendation.
New Cars And Differentials
- Thread starter c3po
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I'll second that. When I changed my Tacoma's diff fluid at 15k it was NASTY. The second time I changed it there was minimal glop on the magnet.
I've had some cars that say to do it at 3000 miles. I certainly wouldn't go beyond 20K for the first differential fluid change for most cars and trucks.
I am glad to here that I am not the only one, can anyone give any insight into why Ford says to change the fluid at 100,000 miles, the way my fluid looked I do not think it could have gone that long, seems like Ford or these other repair shops might have a lot of business if people keep there fluid in there differentials for 100,000 miles, strangely there manual says to do a pan drop and filter change at 30,000 miles for the transmission fluid.
I don't think that ultimately it really matters much. My Ranger didn't get a diff fluid change until 130k(mobil1 75w-90), and then got another 70k put on that change, with no strange activity in the diff at all.
I'm guessing that the particulates settle out, and don't get stirred up in the usual operating conditions, and the gear oil lasts a lot longer than we'd otherwise think.
I'm guessing that the particulates settle out, and don't get stirred up in the usual operating conditions, and the gear oil lasts a lot longer than we'd otherwise think.
For my wife's 2005 Exploder I had the the rear diff, front diff and transfer case changed for the first time at round 40,000 miles. My 2002 F-150 has had the rear diff changed twice in 36,000 miles, last time was due to a leak
. My front diff and transfer case were done around 15,000 miles. I have about 40,000 miles on the truck.
My old 1989 F-150 had NEVER had a rear diff, front diff, manual transmission or transfer case fluid change done. The truck functions fine except the LS gave up the ghost years ago. With the new owner it now serves a very hard life but continues to run great with over than 150,000 miles and no fluid changes.
That was before I found BITOG
.
Whimsey
My old 1989 F-150 had NEVER had a rear diff, front diff, manual transmission or transfer case fluid change done. The truck functions fine except the LS gave up the ghost years ago. With the new owner it now serves a very hard life but continues to run great with over than 150,000 miles and no fluid changes.
That was before I found BITOG
. Whimsey
MolaKule
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When my daughter had her 1998 Explorer, I changed the diffy fluid (never been changed before) at 103,000 miles. The fluid looked almost new, and I am sure it was a synthetic since the UOA had every mark of a synthetic. The Fe was only showing about 500 ppm. Of course, our synthetic went in and we never changed it before she sold it.
I think much depends on the engine HP, the way it's driven, the diffy design, and temp extremes.
However, I always encourage people to ignore the "lifetime" fill and change at about 3,000 to 5000 miles on the odometer to drain the break-in crud from the case.
I think much depends on the engine HP, the way it's driven, the diffy design, and temp extremes.
However, I always encourage people to ignore the "lifetime" fill and change at about 3,000 to 5000 miles on the odometer to drain the break-in crud from the case.
JHZR2
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the locker that came with my S10 ZR2 recommended diff lube change-out at 7000 miles, then every xy,000 afterwards.
I didnt change the front differential until about 5 years. I suppose because it was only infrequently loaded, it came out murky and dirty, looked like there had been some condensation in there year to year that made the fluid not so nice coming out...
JMH
I didnt change the front differential until about 5 years. I suppose because it was only infrequently loaded, it came out murky and dirty, looked like there had been some condensation in there year to year that made the fluid not so nice coming out...
JMH
On my 2002 VW Jetta, the differential/final drive is supposed to be lifetime fill. Changed it at 20,000 miles with Royal Purple 75W-90. There is no drain plug so I just pumped it out of the fill hole. The original fluid came out black with some gray stuff with particles.
In 1985 I acquired a 1951 Plymouth. I think I drained the original differential fluid out of it. It slowly oozed out over several days and looked like tar.
Mom's 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee called for the first change at 12,000 miles. It certainly had visible metal in there.
It said to do the second one at 24,000 miles for severe service. I pulled off the pan and found less metal in there.
I think it should go 50,000 miles w/o problems.
It said to do the second one at 24,000 miles for severe service. I pulled off the pan and found less metal in there.
I think it should go 50,000 miles w/o problems.
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