Servicing front and rear differentials

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:11 pm

Hi guys and gals,
Read through some old posts and thought I would create a new one to ask my question instead of revitalizing some 3 year old ones. I am going to service the front and rear diffs myself. They have never been done and I have over 77k on my 2006 Renegade. Because of this I planned on pulling the cover on the front as well. From what I gathered, I only need the red hi temp gasket sealant for both of these. So bought two tubes of that. The owners manual says use only Mopar lubricant. I purchased Lucas non synthetic for the front and Lucas full Syn for the rear. Was wondering if others have used non Mopar and happy with it.
Thanks

cgass · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:41 pm

I did mine a few months ago and used Amsoil front and rear. My diffs were pretty clean to start with though. I'm sure you'll have some grime in there. It might be worth putting in a cheaper fluid first, driving a few hundred miles and letting it work some of the crap out, and then changing the fluid again using a high quality fluid.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:07 pm

Well I think just about every one has used something else besides mopar lubricants if they are out of their warranty period. And if you plan on taking both covers off you will have a ton of fun with the front. Getting the collar out of the way and then actually pulling the cover can be very time consuming. Also what kind of silicone or RTV are you using I hope it is high grade since it is going between a steel and aluminum plate. Also for the rear instead of messy silicone try a gasket it will save you a lot of time. Also a can of brake parts cleaner with help you get everything cleaned up. Just my :2cents:

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:31 pm

Thanks
audiboy, what gasket do you recommend? is this something I can buy anywhere like Pepboys? I only saw the tube of gasket high heat RTV red. i think its permatex brand

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:43 pm

Yeah trying to pull the front diff cover is a very long job and you will wish you never did,why it has a drain plug.

For the rear diff cover I personally like Permatex's Ultra Gray,they do have a gear oil specific RTV now and is in a green tube.

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:56 pm

ok im officially talked out of pulling off the front cover :lol:

Rob0381 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:16 pm

surfRenegade wrote:

Hi guys and gals,
Read through some old posts and thought I would create a new one to ask my question instead of revitalizing some 3 year old ones. I am going to service the front and rear diffs myself. They have never been done and I have over 77k on my 2006 Renegade. Because of this I planned on pulling the cover on the front as well. From what I gathered, I only need the red hi temp gasket sealant for both of these. So bought two tubes of that. The owners manual says use only Mopar lubricant. I purchased Lucas non synthetic for the front and Lucas full Syn for the rear. Was wondering if others have used non Mopar and happy with it.
Thanks

Just finished doing the rear diff in my 06 Sport about an hour ago. I purchased a gasket from Autozone, which was about 4 bucks, and a tube of black hi-temp gasket RTV, also 4 bucks. Apply the RTV to one side of the gasket, stick it to the cover and then add another layer on the other side of the gasket. I recommend having a hard plastic putty knife handy, my cover was completely covered in the red RTV and the plastic putty knife helps scrape it off without damaging the mounting surfaces. Be sure not to get any pieces of the old RTV in the diff, and thoroughly wipe the inside of the cover clean. I used Mobil1 in mine, but Lucas makes a very good lube as well. If you tow anything, you may want to get the heavier weight 75-140 instead of 75-90. I tow a boat/utility trailer/motorcycle from time to time so I went with 75-140. Have yet to do the front, that will be this weekend. Good luck!

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:21 am

You can get a gasket from anywhere just make sure to pay alittle extra for it. I have a lube locker and quite enjoy it. Also you will not need the silicone with a gasket. Just pull the rear cover clean both surfaces off put the gasket on torque the cover down refill and your done. I would just spray both diff internals down with some brake cleaner to get that excessive crud out of them. Then let them sit and dry for a few minutes unless you have and air source then you can blow them off. I always do this for both front and rear especially if I went over my normal interval.

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:26 am

I just used permatex black rev for the diff covers. Never had a leak. I also used valvoline synthetic gear lube.

Sent using the force

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:34 pm

In my owners manual it does not state how much fluid is needed. I asked the guy at the store and he said rear is 3.6 qt and the front is 2.5 qt. Is this correct? Seems like alot to me

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:37 pm

Also, for the front after reading the posts it sounds like pulling the front cover is too much work. if i just spray brake cleaner through the refill hole and let it drain out would that help clean it out? Or would some brake cleaner not drain all the way and remain in there messing things up?

cgass · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:40 pm

surfRenegade wrote:

In my owners manual it does not state how much fluid is needed. I asked the guy at the store and he said rear is 3.6 qt and the front is 2.5 qt. Is this correct? Seems like alot to me

I think it might be pints, not quarts. Then those numbers seem right. The rear might actually take a little more

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:18 pm

I serviced my rear diff by myself. If I can do it, you can too.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:14 pm

Yes that will work just don't be stingey with it when spraying. Then just let it empty out the bottom the rear just spray the crap out of everything.

infernicus · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:08 pm

Hey peeps.

This is a post for the KK, but is essentially the same.
viewtopic.php?t=44438

Here are the fluid capacities.
Front- 1.3qts (2.6pts)
Rear- 2.15qts ( 4.3pts)

This is what I have used the last couple of changes, not a leak, and you don't have to worry about using RTV. (Even though it really isn't that hard.)

Felpro Differential Cover Gasket - $4.99 @ Advanced Auto Part Number RDs55047
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... P60009____

Permatex Indian Head® Gasket Shellac Compound - $2.79 @ Advanced Auto (This little bottle will last like 5 changes)
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... RP2034____

The last time I switched out my fluids I used
Lucas 10045 Heavy Duty 85/140 Dyno Gear Oil - 1 Gallon - $22.00 @ Amazon Shipped with PRIME
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IG ... 00_details
(The gallon is more than enough for both differentials, and good to have a little extra incase you spill some :oops:

)

Enjoy!

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:06 pm

Thanks for the help all!

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

Lots of info in this thread, great to see. Do we have LS diff in this jeeps and need to use additives?

Thanks.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:24 am

Well I don't think the 02 ever had the trashloc so no worries for you.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:56 am

audiboy86 wrote:

Well I don't think the 02 ever had the trashloc so no worries for you.

Yeah the '02 had trashloc as a option,'06 and '07 KJ's never had the trashloc due to ESP.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

How can I tell if I have it or not?

Thanks.

Servicing front and rear differentials

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