Differential Fluid Change Help

[LAHAL]

Hi guy,

I was over at the stealership yesterday, and they said it was time to change my differential fluid. They wanted to charge me $225 an axle. After I stopped laughing, I told them that I would do it myself.

From what i've read online, and seen on youtube videos, it doesn't look to hard. But I would like to have someone that has done it before maybe give me a hand.

If anyone can help, please let me know.

Thanks,
Alex

[jandh]

$225 Holy Crap i'm in the wrong business - my XJ took 1.2 liters in the read diff (dana 35)  cost like $20 bucks and I went with Synthetic

I do it wierd ppl tell me, but I used to work at mr,lube(hehe save the comments)  and they way i do it at home is I take the diff cover off, and clean it out good and check my gears, then I fill through the check plug and use the Dental pick style screw drive to check the level or wait till it runs out the check plug and your full
but someone may have an easier way for you, thats just the only way I know off the top of my head

[RACKMAN]

What's so weird about that method....that's the way it is suppose to be done.

RACKMAN

[w squared]

I'll give you a hand, Alex. I'm off this week, so just let me know which evening.

[jeepxtc]

$225 Holy Crap i'm in the wrong business - my XJ took 1.2 liters in the read diff (dana 35)  cost like $20 bucks and I went with Synthetic

I do it wierd ppl tell me, but I used to work at mr,lube(hehe save the comments)  and they way i do it at home is I take the diff cover off, and clean it out good and check my gears, then I fill through the check plug and use the Dental pick style screw drive to check the level or wait till it runs out the check plug and your full
but someone may have an easier way for you, thats just the only way I know off the top of my head

Nothing weird about that...I use brake cleaner once oil has mostly drained ...speeds the clean up. Once cleaned..and checked..apply silcone gasket...one tube should be able to do both diffs.....easy.  Changing $225.00 heheh...buggers

[bae146]

Is it appropriate for the original poster to tell us what dealership?

[LAHAL]

The dealership was Varsity right off Deerfoot and Mcknight.

I went and changed the fluid today by myself. It was fairly easy to do. I didn't remove the cover, I figure i'll just take the cover off when i'm ready to put some SOLID covers on. But all and all, it was fairly easy to do with the fill plug and drain plug right there.

On a good note, I got myself a torque wrench to add to my collection.

I went with the only thing I could find today, which was Quaker State 75w90. For the next time I do this fluid change, is there a better brand Gear Oil out there? and where do i get it?

This was done on my 08 Rubi, with 15,000 km on it.

[LAHAL]

Hopefully next time i'll have a lift installed, making everything 10 times easier. 

[jandh]

15,000km's   If i'm not mistaking at 15k you can start to use synthetic now - I like 75 90 Castrol syntech - but I'm a castrol man
double check that sythetic km amount, but go synth

[aaronck]

Stealerships is right...I've been spending time at one trying to get some warantee work done on my TJ, and sitting in the service area watching people pay, these places are a licence to print money- Oil, Air Filer and Light change-$350, Oil, Power Steering and rad flush, plus "peace of mind" check-$660, and that was on an 06.  If I had a 2 year old car, wouldn't my peace of mind be that my car is only 2 years old and should be good for a while longer?  Of 10 customers, $350 was the cheapest bill.

[jeepxtc]

Just a Flat-Rate from the Dealers.....standard charge.......rip-off non the less

[BBD]

I used to work at Tower Chrysler. the 4x4 service is a menu item. around $400. which included front and rear diffs with limilted slip additive. also the transfer case. also changing those fluids at 15,000km seems a little early. My 08 sahara still has clean fluid at 18,500km. if the fluid was that dirty there may have been something wrong in the diff and the dealership is hoping it holds together until your warranty runs out. 

[hps4evr]

im a tech in a dealership. you JK should have its diff fluids changed at every 25,000kms. you can go for a while now on the new oil. if you're not sure what fluid to use call the parts guys at any jeep dealership. they can tell you. and the mopar diff fluid is pretty good as well.