Ok, a little background:
I bought the 2005 CRD with 72K miles and the prior owner who had it for about 12k miles did not do the scheduled maintenance for the 62k and I doubt whoever had it before did it since it was not due by the time they sold the car.

So, long story short, I'm shopping around for a Transmission flush, transfer case and both differentials fluids drained and refilled. Serpentine belt was changed at 65K miles together with a new alternator and I just did the oil change at 72K when I bough it. So, only thing to mess with is all the tranny related stuff.

I got one quote from a transmission shop near work for $ 325.00 and another from a Total care care shop around the corner from my house for $616.00.
That's a big difference, I did not go to the dealer and would not go there if I can avoid it.

I wonder why such a big difference in price for the same job and also is this something I can do?, I looked under the car and the rear differential has the rubber plug, so no biggie there (I've done that kind before on my dodge), now, I cannot see the front differential with the skid plates on and I have no idea which one is the transfer case.
Has anyone done this? How difficult is it?
I have changed transmission filters before on a chevy van besides a ton of other things. I'm the kind of guy that if somebody tells me what to do I can do it.

I would appreciate any input in the subject.
Thanks to all in advance for your replies!!!!

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You can do it all yourself but if you do not where ever you go make sure they use only ATF+4 in the trans.

If it's not on the list in the below link it is not ATF+4 or compatable with ATF+4.

http://www.centerforqa.com/licensedatf4brands.html

Thanks TJ !!

So, not that difficult to do huh.... I guess I'll give it a try this weekend....

Thanks for the link; and by the way I had them quote me with the ATF+4 fluid as the manual call for it.

Is it true our transmission does not have the " spin filter" ?, just a mesh filter that needs to be cleaned and can be reinstalled?

Thank you!!!!

By the way, your ride looks very cool .....

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The rear differential doesn't have a drain plug. From what I've read, the only way to drain it is to remove the cover. If the cover was sealed with RTV (a make your own gasket sealant), you'll have to scrape it off. Then you can either buy the gasket or use RTV again. I think the gasket is fairly cheap, but I can never find it in stock anywhere around town. Then you just seal it up again and add your fluid. I think the manual recommends synthetic gear lubricant SAE 75w-90 or 75w-140 if your doing lots of towing. I remember seeing a thread not too long ago about a guy that installed a drain plug on his rear diff, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I also read somewhere that you need 4 quarts of it, but that seems way too high.

The transfer case is incredibly easy. It's located directly in the middle of the wheel base, right behind the frame crossmember. There's a drain and a fill plug on the rear side. The manual recommends ATF+4 for the transfer case. I think it only takes about a quart, but don't quote me on that.

I've never done the transmission or the front diff. On mine it looks like the transmission pan is sealed with RTV and leaking a bit. I checked at advance auto parts today and it looks like they make a gasket for it, so that's what I'd go with.

Good Luck!

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05' CRD Sport
GDE Eco Tune
Provent
Samco Hoses
Carter Lift Pump

Rear diff just take the cover off,clean old RTV off and use new RTV(Ultra Gray works very well),add 4oz of friction modifier if you have the trackloc 1st,then add the rest of the 2 some qts of gear oil.The t-case is super easy,just remove the fill plug before the drain plug.The front diff has a drain plug on the bottom of it,8mm allen head,the fill plug is on the passengerside of the diff cover,3/8" square drive.

The trans(for you CRD guy's) has 2 filters,one spin on filter and then the normal trans filter.Do not use a gasket,get the special MOPAR RTV for the trans pan(like $8),the pan is not designed for a gasket.Also make sure you get the updated version of the spin on filter,the filter kit is like $25 or so at the dealer.

Thank you both !!!

I see, it's not that difficult.

Do I need a solvent to remove the RTV?, also both shops where I got quotes from told me this transmission did not have the spin filter, I guess for $25 I'll buy one and keep it at hand just in case I find out in the middle of the job that I do need it....

I'll go tomorrow morning and gather all the stuff and deal with it on Sunday. Hope the stealer has one of those filters in stock.

Thank you!!!

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How do I know if it's the updated version?

Thank you!!

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Only way to know is to buy the 45/545RFE kit from the dealership which will include both filters.

Wix sells the transmission filters which are first rate quality. I got mine both times from O'Reilly Auto Parts.
One of our members has a sour taste in his mouth when his Mopar filter split open and trashed his trans. Chrysler may have gotten rid of all their Filtran made crap by now, but I don't trust it

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2006 Pearl Green CRD
Magnaflow 2 1/2" Cat Back
KJ Extra Leg Room Brackets, Carter Lift Pump, V6 Airbox, ORM
Fuel cooler, Oil Separator, Progard 7
Gauges EGT Boost Trans Temp Oil Pres, Michelin LXT AT2 245 70 R16
7,000# Draw Tight hitch, PML EX Deep Trans Pan
Centrifuge, SunCoast, Transgo, RAM TCM, InMotion Stage 2
Wife's 99 TDI VW Beetle

Thank you all !!!!

It's done, went to napa and got all the parts (mostly fluids). Job was pretty easy and thanks to you guys I did not run into any surprises. Total spent was $169 opposed to the $300+ or even worst the $600 +.

The only thing I noticed is that the fluid that came of the rear differential was reddish as sort of transmission fluid, but, what went in was clear.... I used the 75w 140 synthetic with the anti slip additive in both the front and back diff.

Transmission seems to be a lot smoother now, specially when going from park to drive or reverse, before there was a little "cluck" noise there and also a very small jerk, now it's gone, my wallet happy and me too...

Thank you guys !!!

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