24,000 miles?

kjmurphy · **Posted:** Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:22 pm

So I hit the big 24,000 today and I was checking the service manual and says I should have my rear diff. oil changed? I had this done at 15,000 miles should I do it again so soon? I need some advice. It costs 90 dollars so should I wait or try to do it myself?

thanks,
kyle

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

It should be done every 12,000 miles. So, since you were late doing it the first time you can wait 3,000 miles.

Mutt · **Posted:** Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:30 pm

Spring for a bottle of gear lube, a tube of RTV, some frosty refreshments and save yourself $80.

white04kj · **Posted:** Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:14 pm

Mutt wrote:

Spring for a bottle of gear lube, a tube of RTV, some frosty refreshments and save yourself $80.

What he said. It's no harder than changing your oil. Go easy on the RTV, a little goes a long way. That's the only thing that gave me problems when I did it, it went everywhere :roll:

saxdogg · **Joined:** Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:26 pm **Posts:** 199

Go even cheaper and easier and use a suction gun with flexible hose...unless you REALLY need to clean it out. Do mine for the $20 in fluid...minus the gun cost that I bought a few yrs ago...

kjmurphy · **Posted:** Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:36 pm

I'm pretty sure I can get everything but the frosty refreshments (only 18 ), but what brand or type of gear lube and rtv does everyone use. I'm not quite sure how to change the diff oil myself. I looked in the tech articles section and there wasn't anything on the rear diff fluid changing. So do you undue all the bolts or is there a drain plug or something? Any info would be helpful. maybe pics if there is a drain plug (hint, hint?)

thanks

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 12:12 am

The front diff:

unscrew the drain plug in the bottom, let it drain, replace drain plug, open fill hole on the side, fill with fresh 75W-90 until it begins to leak back out of the fill hole.

The rear diff:

remove all bolts from the cover, pry cover away breaking the seal of the RTV silicone, let it drain, scrape off old rtv from cover and diff pumpkin, apply new rtv (red) to diff cover, replace cover and lightly tighten bolts, wait 15 mins or so and fully tighten bolts, fill with 75W-90 for non trackloc, or 75W-140 and friction modifier for trac-loc.

Be aware, the 75W-140 and friction modifier can be difficult to find. I personally used Amsoil purchased from JJsKJ. It was a bout $55 shipped for the fluids to do both differentials. You will need approx 2 quarts for each diff. (1 small bottle of the friction modifier if you have a trac-loc)

Also, you will need a pump for the bottle to get the new fluids into the fill holes, available for around $8 from your local auto parts store.

Hope that helps! Ask for clarification if i've been to vague. It really is so easy not much explanatiuon is needed.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:57 am

kjmurphy wrote:

I'm pretty sure I can get everything but the frosty refreshments (only 18 ), but what brand or type of gear lube and rtv does everyone use. I'm not quite sure how to change the diff oil myself. I looked in the tech articles section and there wasn't anything on the rear diff fluid changing. So do you undue all the bolts or is there a drain plug or something? Any info would be helpful. maybe pics if there is a drain plug (hint, hint?)

thanks

A nice Frosty can or two of Barqs root bear would go nicely with a diff fluid change job. No?

I will get pics of my son changing the front diff fluid on my XJ this weekend to post up in the tech section. Don's info above covers it pretty well though. It is a messy but easy job. Go for it!

chefdab · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:26 pm

So what would be the worst thing that could happen if I don't change them every 12,000 miles?

white04kj · **Posted:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:38 pm

chefdab wrote:

So what would be the worst thing that could happen if I don't change them every 12,000 miles?

Your KJ is going to explode :shock:

Kidding. It's about the same as if you don't change your engine oil often enough. I don't know that sludge builds up, but if you drive it hard there can be little metal flakes, etc in there that can eventually tear things up. Just another thing you can do to prolong the life of the Jeep.

24,000 miles?

Who is online