Well I changed the oil in the rear of my 4.7L 2wd durango today. Not hard at all. I got the scoop from the local dealer on the confusion on the type of oil and additives you are suppose to use, and when your suppose to change it. Every 15K miles. Unless you go with a product similar in quality to Amsoil. Which is what I used. He said that some differentials came with conventiontional oil in the rearend. They require additive to keep the oil from foaming unless you go with a synthetic oil. Then you wont need it. The other rear differentials came with synthetic, and it doesnt require the additive. Amsoil needs no additive. He actually stated that he would put it in there and forget about it. Amsoil states that its good for 250k Miles. This Dodge dealer actually sells Amsoil and highly reccomends it for differentials, transmissions, and engines. Anyway, I Put 75W 140 Amsoil Severe Gear Oil in it. Ok, now to the problem. See what you guys think. I took the cover off and drained it. In the bottom on and around the litttle magnet, was a lot of fine fine fine metal shavings and goo. Some of the shavings were larger. Like the size of a grain of salt, but real thin. Shinny on one side and dull gray on the other. I dont think this is normal. Im thinking its the polished part of a roller bearing that has flaked off. The other thing is a wear mark on the gears. Not the ring nor pinion. The spider gears in the center I think. I mean, I think thats what they are called. The teeth on the gears were noticably worn/shiny on three quarters of the gear. The rest of the gear had a dull finish that looked normal. There was also oil slung out on the bottom side of the uni-body around the pinion nut. Not tons, but enough to get your attention. Anyway. What do you guys think? Im wondering if a bearning or bearings are failing. It has just under 15k Miles on it. Its not roaring at all. But, I saved the oil and the junk that came out of it around the magnet, and intend on going by the Dodge dealer with it tuesday to see what they think. I hate to piss the $9 a qt oil away that I just put in, but what do you do? Im willing to bet that they may want to rebuild it. Any opinions or experiences with this. I know one of the guys on the board just changed his also. RoadKill05. Did you find these problems or notice them? Im agrivated. It also took more oil than the book stated. I filled it until it ran out. Took a extra qtr qt to a half a qt. I noticed a thread about a lot of them being under filled. Maybe thats why. Dodges capasities are screwed up. Oh yeah. The oil was extremely dark, like motor oil thats been used. I have never observed gear oil that dark. Especially with 15K miles on it. Opinions and comments please. Thanks guys. :help:
canyonD
09-04-2005, 11:27 PM
metal shaving are common. It is hard to say if what you have is normal or excessive.
Did you take a picture of the magnet with the metal slivers?
T's99durango
09-05-2005, 12:15 AM
Just thought i'd chime in, did a diff lube job on my 99 durango with 46K this weekend both front and rear. The rear looks like it was done by the last owner, (the silcone was coper color not gray like the factory uses) fluid was turning dark no metal shavings but magnet was full of silver sludge. The front was another story pulled the fill plug nothing ran out like it did in the rear, got the cover off the fluid was black as night. Got both done and painted diff covers silver and the bolts black man o man it looks good. I wish i could help you out more but this was my first time doing a diff lube job i got a little worried when i saw the silver sludge but thought thats a lota sh!t moving in that diff i think the silver sludge is normal. Someone tell me if its not please!!!!!!!!!!!
TONY
RickWess
09-05-2005, 07:52 AM
If you filled the diff until oil came out, you overfilled it. What directions were you following? I don't have it with me on this computer, but the shop manual states to use a "bent pipe cleaner" to check the fluid levels. The proper level is below the hole.
CLAYW
09-05-2005, 08:58 AM
What is a bent pipe cleaner? Changed many a diff. and have never herd of it. Not to say that there is not such a thing. Im sure a little over wont hurt. But i can suck some of it out. How far below the hole should it be?
bbodyguy
09-05-2005, 09:55 AM
A little over can hurt, it will foam up and decrease the lube properties. A pipe cleaner is that fuzzy little thing used to clean a pipe, get it at the drug store. A peice of wire works fine also. IIRC, it is supposed to be 1/2" below, but check the manual first. Also, for some strange reason, it needs special fluid even though it does not have an LSD.
CLAYW
09-05-2005, 10:37 AM
Thanks for the info. I doesnt really need a special fluid it you put synthetic in it. The special fluid is synthetic. Its used to keep the oil from foaming. The non synthetic oil used in some of them does require the additive to keep the oil from foaming. The properties of the synthetic prevents foaming. This is info directly from the dealer. Thats why they push Amsoil synthetic. I didnt buy mine from them. My dad has been a dealer for 15 years. I get it from him. Not all of the differntials came with the same fluid, but they are swithching most to the synthetic when the come in for service. Im not worried about amsoil foaming.
RoadKill05
09-05-2005, 01:24 PM
Hey there man. When I changed mine there was some metal shavings. It is normal, esp for the 1st diff oil change. Usually on your 1st engine oil change you will see the same thing, lil metal shavings. If they were bigger than you might need to worry but I think it is fine. On the marks, those are normal also. Think about it, those gears are in constaint contact and moving with the pinion gear. There is going to be wear marks. Those marks actually happen really quick. You said that the marks are on 3/4 of the gears, that is good. If the marks were only on the last 1/4 of the gear, that would be bad. But it sounds like you have good contact. I just added a lil over 2.2 quarts to my diff and not a problem yet, no noise.
CLAYW
09-05-2005, 03:35 PM
Well I went out earlier and checked the level. This is after I pulled it forward in the driveway last night. It was about a half to three qtrs of a inch below the fill hole. Just right apparently. Drove it around the neighborhood and its quiet as a mouse. I will let you know what the dealer says about the oil and metal I found and the leaking pinion seal.
Clay
Big3
09-10-2005, 09:54 AM
There is a TSB out that described the fill level on the rear end. It describes the use of a bent pipe cleaner so you can use it as a dip stick and the level should be a half inch or soemthing below the fill hole to avoid over filling.
-Hoss1959-
09-27-2005, 09:32 AM
I called 2 Dodge dealers to get price quotes to change the front and rear
diff fluid using the Manufacturer Synthetic fluid, and both quoted me ~$230.
Is there a big difference between the manufacturer's fluid and Amsoil?
The service dude said "when do you want to schedule the maintenance?"
I said for $236 I don't....LOL
I told him I can buy Amsoil fluid for about $60 and change it myself.
He said oh, you're going with aftermarket fluid?, that's your choice!
Then he said what's your last name?
I said why?...LOL
He said do we work on the vehicle here? I said yes, and dropped it!!
....Not gonna let him put a note in my file.
Amsoil is so hard to find, is there a problem with using the Mobil1 gear lube?
I can find that all over the place!!
jjamess
09-27-2005, 10:22 AM
Just go to amsoil.com and pick up a couple quarts. Or do a big order like myself and get it for your diffs, tranny, transfer case, engine and filters for both my cars. Cost me ~$400... But I won't have to deal with changing them again for a very llooonnnnnggggg time. Good luck with it.
-Hoss1959-
09-27-2005, 10:27 AM
Thanks.
I did find an Amsoil dealer close by, and he charges
the same as on the Amsoil site.
Gonna pick up the 75w-90 and 75w-140 tonight and do
the fluid change this weekend.
finucane
09-27-2005, 11:06 AM
If you filled the diff until oil came out, you overfilled it. What directions were you following? I don't have it with me on this computer, but the shop manual states to use a "bent pipe cleaner" to check the fluid levels. The proper level is below the hole.
Your right Rick.........
Fill is important and a fact!
See attached from Service Manual for "FYI", little light but readable.
o2man98
09-27-2005, 05:37 PM
Just go to amsoil.com and pick up a couple quarts. Or do a big order like myself and get it for your diffs, tranny, transfer case, engine and filters for both my cars. Cost me ~$400... But I won't have to deal with changing them again for a very llooonnnnnggggg time. Good luck with it.
Or get it from the Site Sponsor and get a deal on it. :IDEA: Usually about 20-25% off retail.
