Differential Service Interval

SchnellRS · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:03 pm

The dealer calls and tells me the LBJ recall is done, but the tech wanted to know if he should change the diff. fluid? He tells me Jeep recommends it be done between 12 & 15,000. without my service manual here I can't verify this.

I seem to remember this service needed to be done at 30,000. I have 23,000 on the KJ now.

what do ya think?
:roll:

Ken

crackercrd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:13 pm

I seem to remember my book telling me to do the diff. service at 12,500 miles. I did it in the driveway for less than $50 including synthetic diff. oil and the pump to suck the oil from the rear pumpkin(front has a drain plug). It seamed premature to me and I probably will not do it again for some time(not because it was hard, but because I've had 200K mile cars than NEVER had it done) But at least now I know I've done it and it has a good synthetic fluid in it.

sorry if I'm windy, Jon

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:17 pm

The interval for the CRD is different than for a gasser. The gasser is closer 30K I think

What have you got?

SchnellRS · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:22 pm

Sorry ... mines a gas model.

For some reason I have it in my head that 30,000 was the first time I needed to bring it in for any major service.

I believe I had this same service done at 30,000 on my Cherokee as well. It's running fine at 126,000.

crackercrd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:38 pm

Jeger wrote:

The interval for the CRD is different than for a gasser. The gasser is closer 30K I think

What have you got?

I'm not sure why they are not the same but I guess I'm not shocked, sorry if I led you astray :oops:

That being said, I guess I would not worry about it untill you get your book in front of you. I don't know what the dealership quoted you for the job but am absolutely(sp) sure that it is too much! Letting the 10 min. oil change place do it at the next oil change would be cheaper me thinks.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:40 pm

Book calls for axles at 12k. Tranny, tcase, and engine are due at 30k.

If you do not do much offroading or towing, I would wait till 30k and get everything done since youvr already passed up the 12k change.

If you wanted, you could go ahead and let him do just the rear, then do the front at 30k. :wink:

That would probably be the best idea.

I did my both my axles at 12k then did the rear again at 20k when I put my locker in it(kinda had to). I may do the rear again at 30k since I do so much offroading and towing. That puts alot more wear and tear on the powertrain..

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:10 pm

I thought there was something different about the interval for the gasser, what is the interval for the second change jeepster?

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

12k, 24k, 36k, 48k...see you just add 12k each time. :wink:

raceinfan · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:15 pm

OOP's

the first time mine got done was at 27,000 guess I should read my manual :shock:

& I do quite abit of offroading,guess we'll go every 12,000 now

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:21 pm

I do it based on needs for the Jeep... If I'm towing something large, out in water, etc I'll change the fluid straight away. But if I'm just driving the Liberty to and from work and using it to pull my sailboat around I'll extend the fluid change out to 30K miles.... So far my change interval looks like:

Front and Rear

10K Miles
25K Miles (heavy towing dicated the early change here)
55K Miles - is my upcoming change... The fluid still looks and feels good

SchnellRS · **Posted:** Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:17 am

I called the local Quikie Lube place for a quote to change fluid in both diff's, tranny and transfer case. They told me they could not do it because one or all required synthetic fluid and that I should go to the dealer. Wow, I didn't know synthetic fluid made the job "dealer only" (said with sarcasim).

Ken

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:28 am

If you have the dealer do the front and you have a skid covering the tranny (like the AllJ SuperSkid), they will charge you a buddle extra to remove it so they can work on the diff change. The front skid must come off and the way the Superskid and Front Skid are bolted together, they will charge you a lot.

Do the front yourself, if possible.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:35 pm

SchnellRS wrote:

I called the local Quikie Lube place for a quote to change fluid in both diff's, tranny and transfer case. They told me they could not do it because one or all required synthetic fluid and that I should go to the dealer. Wow, I didn't know synthetic fluid made the job "dealer only" (said with sarcasim).

Ken

They don't carry a Synthetic gear oil?! Are they stuck in the 70's!?

Video Guy · **Posted:** Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:30 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Book calls for axles at 12k. Tranny, tcase, and engine are due at 30k.

I had the 30K flush/fill and I just did the transfer case myself last weekend. I don't think I've ever done anything to my axles, and my KJ just turned 46K miles. Could this have anything to do the the clanking sound I sometimes here up front when using 4HI?

GabesLiberty · **Joined:** Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:55 pm **Posts:** 2

I have an 05 Liberty Sport 2WD, what lube weight does it require for the rear differential? I have some Amsoil 75W-90...is this the right weight for the 2WD?

swyszomirski · **Joined:** Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:59 am **Posts:** 286

well, I was just about to ask this very question about the diffs. I'm at 48k, with mild offroading, and hard mountain driving, so I guess I am due.... I got all the stuff, but not the time, guess I better make some...

Stephen

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:05 pm

Yup, my book says every 12-15k. Don't let the dealer do it or they will stick it in and break it off. It is VERY easy to do with a simple ratchet set from Walmart and a squeeze bottle.

adamkrz · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:35 pm

Going though my maintenance logbook I see that axle fluids should be changed only on the schedule B conditions,For the schedule A it only has you inspect the fluid..

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:02 pm

The manual can't tell you exactly when to change the fluid... they can recommend a proper interval. I think one of the biggest factors in the short interval cycle is from the weight of the Liberty. Weight means more work, more work means more heat and heat is what breaks oils...

If you have been keeping an eye on what the fluid looks like - and you know what you are looking for, than you are pretty safe extending out the range between changes.

GregB · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:34 pm

At 32,000 miles my rear axle would make some noises when I'd back up and have the wheels turned (dealer called this parking lot maneuvers). I also had limited slip additive put in when I had the fluid changed. You probably want the fluids changed well before you get to that point. You might be able to go more than 30k or even never change the fluid, but I wouldn't recommend it, and certainly change the fluid if you get noises backing up in parking lots.

Differential Service Interval

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