Maintenance
Differential Fluid Change
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Maintenance Differential Fluid Change |
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The Jeep Factory Service Manual maintenance schedule B recommends that you drain and refill both axles every 12,000 miles. You should also do this if you cross deep water or get stuck in deep mud. Drop by the dealer and they'll probably quote you anywhere from $75 to $100 for the service. You can do this yourself for quite a lot less.
Take a trip to the local auto parts store and get the recommended oil. My manual recommends Mopar® Hypoid Gear Lubricant or equivalent. It also says when equipped with TRAC-LOK, include 4 ounces of Friction Modifier Additive. Depending on your axle, it should take 3.5 to 4 quarts of fluid. I was able to find gear oil made for limited slip (TRAC-LOC is limited slip) so no need to worry about the additive. You will also need to decide how to reseal the differential. There are really nice gaskets available from LubeLocker.com for most common axles. Your dealer or auto parts store may have a standard gasket. The most popular method is to use a layer of RTV and no gasket at all. Probably cheaper, but its a little more work than I like. |
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| The differential cover bolts. | Let if flow. |
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Depending on how much lift you have and how much room there is to work, you may want to jack up the Jeep by the frame and let the axle droop. Get a big drip pan under the entire differential. Test for a breeze - oils blows!
Get out a ratchet and socket and loosen all of the bolts that hold the differential cover in place. I like to remove the top and bottom bolts first and leave the middle ones for last. When you are down to the last 4 bolts in the middle, loosen them several turns and if you are lucky the cover will pull away from the differential. You may have to pursuade it with a rubber mallet. Do not pry under the cover or hit with metal hammer. Let all of the fluid drain into your pan. |
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| Gunk stuck to the drain plug. | Clean the gears with parts cleaner. |
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When it has finished draining, remove the last bolts and differential cover. This is the Dana 44 which has a metal/magnetic drain plug that collects all of the metal debris. Clean this up with paper towels.
The gears and inside of the differential can be cleaned but DO NOT use gasoline, kerosine, water or steam. I use a spray can of brake parts cleaner or carb cleaner. While that continues to drain I try to clean up the bolts with more parts cleaner and a wire brush. |
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| Remove drain plug from the cover. | Clean the drain plug thoroughly. |
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Time to reinstall the cover. I prefer using a gasket, but you may opt for the RTV method. If so, place a bead on the cover, not the differential. Don't be stingy with the RTV. Make sure to go completely around the bolt holes. Install the cover within 5 minutes of applying the sealant. Torque the bolts to the proper specs.
I like to reinstall the cover and then remove the drain plug, but you could remove it earlier in the process. If you have the magnetic plug it needs a thorough cleaning. Its normal for it to collect fine metal filings, but if you have chunks of metal its time to see a professional and have those gears inspected. Finally, pump the differential full of new fluid until it starts to pour back out of the drain hole. Reinstall the drain plug and torque to the proper spec. |
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| Pump in the new fluid. | |