Changing differential fluid

Bearcatrp · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:42 pm

Looks mighty tight to remove the covers to change the dif fluid. Would it be easier to suck it out the fill hole or is it better to take those covers off? Never done it before but shouldn't be to hard. Also, if I remove those covers, is there a special gasket I have to get or will any sealant work? Dealer want 200 bucks for the job. I've done water pumps in older trucks before ( been awhile ) so don't think it should be hard except the tight space. Any suggestions appreciated.
Randy

krazz1e · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:26 pm

Just remove the cover it's easy. Use a socket set. Go buy some replacement oil and some ultra blue gasket sealer.

You unbolt the bolts then pry it off the oil spills out, scrap the old gasket off put the new gasket stuff on attach the bolts back and fill.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

The front is easy...it has a drain hole and a fill hole. It takes 10 minutes and is the same procedure as changing engine oil. Out with the old, in with the new.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:37 am

Same deal here...my wife's '04 has 15K on it now and I want to change out her diff. fluids. But dealer wants hundreds of dollars to do it.

So you are saying the front diffs. on these KJs has a drain plug and a fill plug??

1calkid · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:57 am

Be sure when you do the rear, to leave a couple, or at least 1 bolt loose on the top. When you start prying on the cover to get it off, you may just drop the whole thing at once and then you might end up wearing some of it. Just keep in the bolt on the top loose but, still in while prying and you will be all set. It's not hard at all. As mentioned above, the front diff, has a drain and fill plug. No big deal there.

Good Luck

Bearcatrp · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:00 am

Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket rear dif cover with a drain plug? I had one for my 1 ton dually. Be alot easier than taking it off all the time. Also, how many quarts do each differential hold? Doesn't show in the manual. Now on older trucks I have changed, the rule was fill until your finger tip (first knuckle bent in hole) touches. Same rule here?
Randy

Bearcatrp · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:18 am

One other thing, according to the manual, when changing the fluid, it says to add friction modifier addittive if you have trac-loc. I have command trac part time 4wd and select trac full time 4wd. would there be any benefit to add it anyway or would this damage it.
Randy

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:08 am

OK, the Trac-Loc is the limited slip device in the rear diff. If you have that, you do need friction modifier. Selec-Trac and Command-Trac refer to which transfer case you have, which doesn't matter when dealing with the differentials.

Thanks for the tips guys. I was dreading changing out my wife's fluid for her but now that I know the front diff. has a drain plug that'll be a lot easier. I want to make sure to inspect the fluid for any shavings or metal pieces so taking the cover off might be a good idea the first time at least anyhow.

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:20 am

see tech section for this

jpzkj · **Posted:** Sat Sep 10, 2005 12:08 am

You could always just vacuum it out with a suction gun if you don't want to use a wrench. Thats what the Oil change places do anywy....

Good LUck

Bearcatrp · **Posted:** Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:16 pm

Just finished changing the dif's fluid. Very easy. Didn't bother taking off the rear dif cover. Plenty of room to get the hose in to suck it out. Was glad DC left the rear holes on the skid plate open so you don't have to take the bolts out all the way. Thanks for all the tips folks.
Randy

Changing differential fluid

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