No clue, but I suspect DANA does not if they offer their aftermarket sold axles with the 500 mile break in gear oil change recommendation. To DANA, the 500 mile gear oil change is also a gear inspection which means the cover off also.
What? You don’t have a drain plug in the rear, bottom portion of the diff?Hi all, this thread has inspired me to change out my rear diff fluid. I was disappointed to learn that there isn't a drain plug. Does anyone know if changing the cover will void the warranty? The one I've settled on is the ARB cover (pictured below). I figure that I'll take it to the local shop to add the cover that has the drain plug and after that I'll do the fluid changes myself.
I called the dealership to ask what they would charge to change the fluid and was shocked at the way they took my question when I told them I had 23,000 miles on my Jeep. "Why do you want do change the fluid? It doesn't need to be changed until 120,000 miles". That was really their response. And their price to change out the fluid? $289.
In addition to my question about if the cover would void the warranty (I can always put the old one back on if I have axle troubles and have to make a claim), I am wondering if it will hurt to use mobil 1 75w`140 in the rear diff?
I live in the Southeast, Georgia, and make many long haul trips to Arizona and load my truck up to capacity. I also drive to other states (last trip was New Jersey) and buy a truck load of materials. So I have day-long stretches on the highway and often with the max 1,000 pound payload in the bed. I haul in the summer a good bit so I'm thinking the 75w140 is the way to go?
I tried to find a gear oil without "LS" or limited slip friction modifiers added and had no luck finding anything other than Redline. I spent way too much time searching and decided to just go with Mobil 1 after reading others experience with it and things like valvoline in the bags.
It does make sense, the more I learn about when and why you service a differential the less I see the need for a drain plug. Basically, if you need to change the fluid you also need to look at the guts.
I don't think it makes sense at all. It sure will discourage many people from a simple drain and fill which would be a lot better than nothing. Plus, with no drain hole it raises the cost of fluid changes if you have to take it to a shop. Instead of a simple drain hole there's 14 bolts to take the cover off and shops will charge a half hour labor, extra. That lack of a drain hole is probably discouraging/ preventing a lot of fluid changes. It looks like a shameful cost savings move from the manufacturer to me.
I did mine yesterday at 20k. It was practically brand new. I'll leave it be for awhile this time.
I know the front diffs with the drain plug on the bottom took a beating when trailed hard off road and remember a few on the JL side reporting leaking or inability to take the plug out due to material rash. Rear, not so much.
