Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: fony3 on June 11, 2007, 11:28:15 PM

Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on June 11, 2007, 11:28:15 PM: Ok, first question, how much gear oil am I going to do need for my two diffs? Its a 30 and 35 combo if that matters. Second question, do i just fill it up till its starts to leak at the plug hole?

Cheers!
Title: Re: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: SwampSinger on June 11, 2007, 11:39:39 PM: Quote from: "fony3"
Ok, first question, how much gear oil am I going to do need for my two diffs? Its a 30 and 35 combo if that matters. Second question, do i just fill it up till its starts to leak at the plug hole?

Cheers!

You'll need about 3L for both (get a 4L jug ...it's cheaper) and yes... fill it till it spew out.

have fun :D
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: RckyMtnTJ on June 11, 2007, 11:41:53 PM: Both are a little over a liter. If your rear has a traclok, you will need fluid for limited slip. Either that or friction modifier from Mopar. Get yourself 3 liters and you are good to go. Just fill it till it starts to come out the fill hole.
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on June 12, 2007, 11:45:11 AM: No fancy traclok here...Thanks for the info guys! Any recomendations on the gear oil and RTV to used?
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: BlackYJ on June 12, 2007, 12:21:10 PM: I use standard 80w-90 gear oil for the diffs, quaker state i think, and the ultra black is good RTV because it is resistance to oil, but it is pricy. I have also used black rtv and is works fine.

Install note - make sure the mating surface is FREE of any oil as oil will prevent the rtv from sealing properly. Brake cleaner works great to clean off the old sealant
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: RckyMtnTJ on June 12, 2007, 01:57:37 PM: I use the Canadian Tire brand gear lube. They have a synthetic version too. I typically change my diff fluids a couple times a year if not more, so I find the Canuck Tire version works well enough. I second the cleaning of the mating surfaces that BlackYJ was mentioning. I tend to scrape off the gasket on the diff as good as possible. Then I wire wheel the diff cover to get it all off. Never had a problem.
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on July 09, 2007, 10:29:01 AM: Ok, I have everything i need except a Gasket Scrapper...where do you think I could get one. Crappy tire didnt, maybe part source?
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: BlackYJ on July 09, 2007, 10:51:57 AM: Quote from: "fony3"
Ok, I have everything i need except a Gasket Scrapper...where do you think I could get one. Crappy tire didnt, maybe part source?

Just get a razor blade or even a good chisels and don't forget brake cleaner
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: rws on July 09, 2007, 10:55:14 AM: A wire wheel on a drill works good to remove old sealant. Some people will also spray the insides of the diff with brake cleaner to remove all old fluid and metal flakes.
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on July 09, 2007, 11:00:22 AM: Beauty...thats what I was gonna resort to (razor)...one last question, how much RTV am I going to need. Is one squeeze tube gonna be enough, or should I get two.
Title: one should do
Post by: bae146 on July 09, 2007, 12:50:27 PM: I usually clean up the cover first and then spread a thin layer of rtv over the cover and set aside while I clean out the diff and the mating surface. This gives the sealant on the cover time to skin over. It is still tacky but a little thicker than when it first comes out of the tube. This works for me.....
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: rws on July 09, 2007, 02:07:24 PM: One squeeze tube will do several differentials. Go around the bolt holes and don't over- tighten the cover bolts. One more tip - if possible, after reinstalling the cover do not put gear oil in till the next day which allows the silicon to dry.
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: BlackYJ on July 10, 2007, 07:36:17 AM: The RTV bead only needs to be about 1/8"-1/4" wide
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on July 10, 2007, 01:43:50 PM: Great thanks for all the advice!
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on July 22, 2007, 01:53:32 AM: Ok, Finally got some time to start on the Diffs. I am having a bit of trouble getting the old gasket off, am i just not trying hard enough? I think tomorrow i am gonna go pick up a can of gasket remover. Also I am wondering if i can/should do something about the rust on the cover and carrier? Everything else seems to be in good shape.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/Jeep%20Stuff/IMG_1982.jpg)

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/Jeep%20Stuff/IMG_1975.jpg)
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: RckyMtnTJ on July 22, 2007, 02:21:37 AM: I just did mine yesterday. I take my cover and give it a light going over on the wire wheel. Then I use a gasket scraper on the pumpkin. I have never been terribly finicky and have never had a leak in the approximately 20 diff fluid changes I have done to my Jeep. Well, except for the pinion seal leaks! ;)
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: rws on July 22, 2007, 09:41:20 AM: Use a wire wheel on a drill or a piece of sandpaper, it does not have to be perfectly clean.
Title: Differential Fluid Change Questions
Post by: fony3 on July 22, 2007, 03:16:14 PM: Perfect, all done. One last question. I am pretty sure the seal is good, but what should i be looking for as far as leaks (just in case), is it just gonna be puddles under the diffs when I park?