Changing the Rear Differential Oil

BVCRD · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:25 pm

darinb wrote:

I know this is a rookie question.. but how do you refill the diff? Is that rubber thing I see a fill plug?

If so.. the procedure is?: remove the cover to drain the fluid.. then reinstall.. then remove the rubber plug and fill?

You have it right. I went back with a felpro gasket from NAPA instead of the RTV sealant.

darinb · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:44 pm

Great, thanks for the help. Looks like I am on my way to NAPA or Auto Zone.

Dj S. · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:13 am

Heres a super noob question! Is it the same to do the front as you would the rear? I no nothing of the diff, and need to get mine done, but Im scarred to death to take anything apart that I know nothing about. Soon I will be doing a front drive shaft and I am a bit worried about that. See I use to own a chevy car, and there was nothing to that, plus it was a piece of crap so I didnt put too much effort into keeping it running, but I love my Libby and wanna keep it strong. So please give me some insight! Thanks guys! :mrgreen:

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:26 am

The front has a drain from the factory - bottom of the cast side - fill is on the cover.

which is good because it also has an axle brace attached to the cover and that's a pain to remove.

if the old oil comes out clean i.e. it's been serviced reasonably well - then - just drain and fill works

however if it's dirty - or you've been in water/mud over the axles - I'd pull the brace and the front cover to clean it out and check, that will require new RTV + time & tools.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:55 pm

You will need to pull the front skid plate. Chances are, this is the last time you wil have to change it.

darinb · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:32 pm

Does the front take the same oil as the rear? 75w 140? Any certain brand of oil you guys recommend?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:45 pm

Quote:

Axle Differential (Front) Mopar Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 80W-90) or equivalent.
Axle Differential (Rear) Mopar Synthetic Gear Lubricant (SAE 75W-90) or equivalent. For trailer
towing, the lubricant should be replaced with Mopar Synthetic Gear &
Axle Lubricant (SAE 75W-140) or equivalent. Models equipped with Trac-
Lok™ require a limited-slip additive.

I use Mobil One

darinb · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:27 pm

Thanks

How does one tell if they have trac lok?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:27 pm

Mine does not have a TracLok - but I think there's a label on the Diff

and FYI - if you go to Jeep.com - the owners section - email them your vin (or or the last 6 or 8 digits) and they'll email you a complete build sheet.

darinb · **Posted:** Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:42 pm

Ok thanks I will email them.

The dealer says that if I do not have a trac lok button, then I do not have trac lok.. does this sound right??

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:51 am

There is no button related to the Trac Lock differential. They must be referring to the traction control button on the 06 models. That system tries to compensate for wheel spin by applying brake to the slipping wheel.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:43 pm

That would be the ESP button located on the steering column.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:30 pm

ok I don't have track lock and I want to do this service soon if I can do it my self at tmy next oil change. I also would like to do the front and Transfer case too. are there any write ups fro those too and what tools will I need so I can be sure to have everything on hand.

also the auto parts store says 80w90 for the front and 75w90 for the rear or 75w140 for towing. I have that towing package on my CRD but for now down't tow much at all do I still need 75/140? should both be synthetic? I only see synthetic blend or dino in 80w90 oil.

Gerge · **Posted:** Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:20 pm

I got my build sheet from Jeep and nowhere on it does it say trac loc. I am assuming this means i do not have trac loc, or is there a different term for it on the build sheet?

linewarbr · **Posted:** Tue Aug 10, 2010 10:21 pm

06's do not have Trac-Loc, since they have ESP. If you have an 05, look around on the rear side of the axle and the diff cover for a tag that says something about using an LSD friction modifier.

Gerge · **Posted:** Tue Aug 10, 2010 10:38 pm

It's an 06, thanks!

bewestro · **Posted:** Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:24 pm

Does the front diff require about the same volume as the rear, 3 qts?

Gerge · **Posted:** Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:40 am

Same thing I asked at one time :

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54868

Radman · **Posted:** Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:28 am

mikey1273 wrote:

also the auto parts store says 80w90 for the front and 75w90 for the rear or 75w140 for towing. I have that towing package on my CRD but for now down't tow much at all do I still need 75/140? should both be synthetic? I only see synthetic blend or dino in 80w90 oil.

Same question here. I tow my boat (1600lbs or so) 2 or 3 times a year for about 500km each time on flat hwy no mountians. Should I put 75w140? Are there any disadvantages running the w140 vs w90?

SBosco · **Posted:** Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:21 am

I was frustrated with the same issue...no factory drain plug.

I got the cast-aluminum PML cover and used the lube-locker gasket and filled with AMSoil Severe Gear gear oil. The cover is a bit pricey at almost $200 but it was worth it for me. It's finned aluminum (dissipates heat better) has a fill hole and plug, as well as a drain hole with magnetic drain plug, and it has .75 quarts more capacity.

Cover:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120620027207&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=619f389312a0a0aad5a747d7fea5710f&rvr_id=143276285767&ua=WXI8&itemid=120620027207%24

Lube-Locker Gasket Manufacturer Product page (available cheaper elsewhere):
http://lubelocker.com/products/products/view/5/12

Changing the Rear Differential Oil

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