Front/Rear Diff Service - DIY

[g2020]

a job I want to tackle

For DIY, see Requirements for Changing Oil & Filter, Differential Fluid, and Transfer Case Fluid.

Any good API GL-5 gear oil will work for the axles/differentials. Use ATF+4 for the transfer case. See tables 1.3 and 1.9 in Links to Prices.

For gear oil, Valvoline is widely available, includes friction modifier, and uses squeeze-bag packaging which makes it easy to install. Use 75W-85 or 75W-90 for the front axle, and 75W-140 for the rear axle.

Valvoline ATF+4 is exactly the same as MOPAR.

You will need to buy two quarts of each. The total DIY cost of these fluids is about $90.

Here's a dealer invoice for these jobs:

262.50 Labor (excluding price of alignment)
214.96 Parts
26.95 Misc (negotiable to zero)
504.41 Total charges
17.73 Tax (8.25% on parts only)
522.14 Total paid

- The labor rate of 199.95 has remained the same since at least 2021.
- Parts prices (for fluids) may have changed, but some dealers are using MOPAR equivalents, such as BG Products, to keep prices down and maintain margins.
- Perhaps someone can comment on whether the 12 quarts, for front & rear differential service, is right. I had this service done before I joined this forum and started doing it myself.

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[SaiintNick]

Was quoted $429 for front differential and another $429 for the rear differential by the dealer. Not a job I want to tackle. Prices out of line? They also wanted to do the transfer case for $479 but they never read their history and I had a leak and it was done under warranty.

My Valvoline shop said $100 per axle.

 

[Hootbro]

Was quoted $429 for front differential and another $429 for the rear differential by the dealer. Not a job I want to tackle. Prices out of line? They also wanted to do the transfer case for $479 but they never read their history and I had a leak and it was done under warranty.

What about it makes you not want to do it yourself? Fluid cost would be under $150 even with some boutique branded gear oils.

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