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Differential Maintenance Interval?

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jjl04002

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Do you actually need to change your different fluid if you don't tow frequently? I'm so confused by the manual. Is says for frequent towing change it every 1.5 years/22.5k miles. However there is no additional recommendation which implies if you don't tow frequently then you never need to change it? Something seems wrong.

Also how frequent is frequent? I tow about 25% of my miles, most of that with a 16k 5th wheel, but also some other lighter trailers too. Is that frequent?
1717848647029.png

Bonus question....suggestions on rear diff fluid? I think this fits the bill? 2022 DRW HO 3500 with max towing.

 
jjl04002 said:
Do you actually need to change your different fluid if you don't tow frequently? I'm so confused by the manual. Is says for frequent towing change it every 1.5 years/22.5k miles. However there is no additional recommendation which implies if you don't tow frequently then you never need to change it? Something seems wrong.

Also how frequent is frequent? I tow about 25% of my miles, most of that with a 16k 5th wheel, but also some other lighter trailers too. Is that frequent?
View attachment 73743

Bonus question....suggestions on rear diff fluid? I think this fits the bill? 2022 DRW HO 3500 with max towing.

Click to expand...
I only put about 7000 miles a year on my truck but since 70% is towing a heavy fifth wheel, I change my diff fluid every other year or about 14K. I was using Redline but recently switched to Amsoil Severe Gear 75W140. They don't define what frequent towing means which just leads to more confusion. Sounds like just going by mileage is probably best for you. If my truck I would change every 20K.
 
Personally if your going to upgrade to a quality synthetic product like amsoil etc, your likely safe every 30k, maybe longer. 22k miles is a little quick in my opinion for axle fluid
 
jjl04002 said:
Do you actually need to change your different fluid if you don't tow frequently? I'm so confused by the manual. Is says for frequent towing change it every 1.5 years/22.5k miles. However there is no additional recommendation which implies if you don't tow frequently then you never need to change it? Something seems wrong.

Also how frequent is frequent? I tow about 25% of my miles, most of that with a 16k 5th wheel, but also some other lighter trailers too. Is that frequent?
View attachment 73743

Bonus question....suggestions on rear diff fluid? I think this fits the bill? 2022 DRW HO 3500 with max towing.

Click to expand...

I would change it IAW with the "frequent towing" timeline. While the OE fluid in the gen 4.5's is better than the gen 4's, it's still not great.

I use Amsoil Severe Gear diff fluid in all my vehicles. The Amsoil service interval is 50K severe and 100K miles normal use, Amsoil has definitions for both on their website.

I dumped my OE fluid at my first 12 month service with 13.7K miles on it. I haven't decided yet if I am going to follow the interval in the manual unit warranty runs out, or follow the Amsoil interval like I do on my other rigs.
 
I have 18K miles on my 2021 with approximately 60% towing. I just replaced my rear diff fluid with Amsoil Severe Gear to meet the 20K "frequent" towing statement in the manual. I will replace the front when I have time, and then probably stretch the interval closer to the Amsoil severe service interval (50k).
 
Blackpowder said:
I have 18K miles on my 2021 with approximately 60% towing. I just replaced my rear diff fluid with Amsoil Severe Gear to meet the 20K "frequent" towing statement in the manual. I will replace the front when I have time, and then probably stretch the interval closer to the Amsoil severe service interval (50k).
Click to expand...

What did the old fluid look like?

I've not intended to do mine (12" HO rear end) at just 17K going into towing season. Was going to around 20K.

Also a big fan of the Amsoil severe gear fluids.
 
Brutal_HO said:
What did the old fluid look like?

I've not intended to do mine (12" HO rear end) at just 17K going into towing season. Was going to around 20K.

Also a big fan of the Amsoil severe gear fluids.
Click to expand...
The old fluid actually looked pretty good, and the level was full. Some fine wear material on the plug magnet and in the bottom of the housing. Gasket was like new and reusable.

My last trailer (sold in March) only weighed around 5.5k loaded. Our new one is around 8.5k, and I wanted fresh fluid to start the tow season.

I also like the Amsoil gear lubes, especially the price when compared to OEM. The OEM magic fluid was more than twice the cost of the Amsoil.
 
Blackpowder said:
The old fluid actually looked pretty good, and the level was full. Some fine wear material on the plug magnet and in the bottom of the housing. Gasket was like new and reusable.

My last trailer (sold in March) only weighed around 5.5k loaded. Our new one is around 8.5k, and I wanted fresh fluid to start the tow season.

I also like the Amsoil gear lubes, especially the price when compared to OEM. The OEM magic fluid was more than twice the cost of the Amsoil.
Click to expand...

Amsoil is just a little harder to find, mostly online only.

There is a guy on eBay who sells weld on diff. Plugs. I welded some in my 3rd gen, loved it

Used a greenly punch and mig welder

www.ebay.com

Differential Drain PLUG and BUNG kit MILD STEEL bung & STAINLESS plug+ WASHER | eBay

Mild steel bung and 303 stainless plug, plus copper sealing washer. THIS IS WHAT THE BUILDERS NEED TO USE WHEN Draining diff oil.Many people use these bungs with all types of steel housings with no problem because the bung is much thicker than the housing,, Normal mild steel welding...
www.ebay.com
 
LegendaryLawman said:
Amsoil is just a little harder to find, mostly online only.

There is a guy on eBay who sells weld on diff. Plugs. I welded some in my 3rd gen, loved it

Used a greenly punch and mig welder

www.ebay.com

Differential Drain PLUG and BUNG kit MILD STEEL bung & STAINLESS plug+ WASHER | eBay

Mild steel bung and 303 stainless plug, plus copper sealing washer. THIS IS WHAT THE BUILDERS NEED TO USE WHEN Draining diff oil.Many people use these bungs with all types of steel housings with no problem because the bung is much thicker than the housing,, Normal mild steel welding...
www.ebay.com
Click to expand...

The advantage to pulling the cover is you get to inspect the gears.
 
LegendaryLawman said:
Amsoil is just a little harder to find, mostly online only.

There is a guy on eBay who sells weld on diff. Plugs. I welded some in my 3rd gen, loved it

Used a greenly punch and mig welder

www.ebay.com

Differential Drain PLUG and BUNG kit MILD STEEL bung & STAINLESS plug+ WASHER | eBay

Mild steel bung and 303 stainless plug, plus copper sealing washer. THIS IS WHAT THE BUILDERS NEED TO USE WHEN Draining diff oil.Many people use these bungs with all types of steel housings with no problem because the bung is much thicker than the housing,, Normal mild steel welding...
www.ebay.com
Click to expand...
That would definitely make the job a little easier. I wanted to get out all the fluid and see how things looked inside.
 
Brutal_HO said:
What did the old fluid look like?

I've not intended to do mine (12" HO rear end) at just 17K going into towing season. Was going to around 20K.

Also a big fan of the Amsoil severe gear fluids.
Click to expand...
Forgot I had a picture. If you zoom in you can get an idea of the color. Still somewhat transparent.
 

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Im feeling like an idiot right now but hoping this group can help. I drained and refilled my transmission fluid this weekend and am unsure I have refilled with the proper quanity. (I should have measured how much came out but wasnt thinking about it since online resources say 7-8 quarts will refill).

I refilled with 1 (4 quarts) gallon and checked the dipstick - fluid level was showing about 1/8" above the cold etched markings on the dipstick. (truck had been sitting overnight on flat ground). I was surprised to see that it was "full" but didnt add any additional fluid. I then drove it for about 50 miles and got the trans up to temp and rechecked after sitting for about 1 min while idling and the dipstick showed well below the "cool" level so I added another gallon incrementally and drove it again and now its showing overfilled when hot. Im confused.

Am I losing my mind here? I drained the truck for about an hour and there was no remaining fluid coming out when I put the plug back in. How much fluid are you all refilling with when just doing a drain and refill?
 
It should have taken just over 7 quarts.

To confirm, you are checking the fluid level with the transmission warmed up, 158-176°, idling for 60 seconds, cycling thru each gear, and then checking in park and using the hot marks?
 
AH64ID said:
It should have taken just over 7 quarts.

To confirm, you are checking the fluid level with the transmission warmed up, 158-176°, idling for 60 seconds, cycling thru each gear, and then checking in park and using the hot marks?
Click to expand...
Yes thats exactly how I am checking. I ended up putting in just over 7 quarts. I will check it again using that process after i drive it again tomorrow. I just feel like an idiot and dont want to overfill
 
jjl04002 said:
Do you actually need to change your different fluid if you don't tow frequently? I'm so confused by the manual. Is says for frequent towing change it every 1.5 years/22.5k miles. However there is no additional recommendation which implies if you don't tow frequently then you never need to change it? Something seems wrong.

Also how frequent is frequent? I tow about 25% of my miles, most of that with a 16k 5th wheel, but also some other lighter trailers too. Is that frequent?
View attachment 73743

Bonus question....suggestions on rear diff fluid? I think this fits the bill? 2022 DRW HO 3500 with max towing.

Click to expand...

My 2020 I’ve changed once at 50,000 miles factory fluid was changed out for the amsoil differential fluid about 50% of my 76,000 miles have been towing I plan on changing the fluid again at the 100,000 mile mark
 
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