Changing fluids

Renegade · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:42 am

Hello. I am looking for opinions on the changing of fluids. My 2003 Liberty will reach 50,000 miles soon. My dealer, who has performed all of the service on this vehicle, and whom I trust, suggested that I have the front and rear diff fluid, and, the transfer case fluid replaced at 50,000 miles. The maintenance schedule provided by Chrysler states that these fluids should be changed at 60,000 miles. My question is this; should I have these fluids changed and at what intervals? My Liberty has never done any hard off roading (soft roading on dirt two-tracks a few times) and has never been in water. I have never changed the diff fluid in any vehicle that I have owned. My '93 Grand Cherokee had the fluid in the transfer case replaced once in 178,000 miles and the diff fluid was never changed. I have a Pontiac with 104,000 miles with the original diff fluied. My concerns are that none of the seals currently leak; but I can foresee leak problems after the dealer breaks the seals and then fails to seat the seals properly; and, the cost. The fluid change will cost a couple of hundred dollars, which I realize is small compared to failure due to break down of fluid or loss of fluid, but still, its a lot of money. Any thoughts?

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:52 am

I would say that 50k is a good time to change the fluid, because it is a good even number. Why don't you save yorself some cash and do the change yourself. The front is the easiest of all the changes. Remove the skid plate with a 15mm socket, and use an allen wrinch (metric I think) to remove the bottom drain plug. The fill plug takes a 3/8 rachet to remove it. The fluid for the front and rear Diff is 75-140 synthetic which can be picked up at Autozone or Advance Auto for around $15 a bottle (Each Diff will require about two Bottles) The transfer also has a drain and fill plugs on it. I did not have the fluid this weekend so I was unable to change this (the fluid required for this is Dextron 4 which can only be gotten at the stealership, or go to NAPA and tell them you need the fluid that is compatable to dextron 4 and they can hook you up) The rear is the hardest but if you can use a rachet or wrinch than you can do it. I am not sure of the size of the bolt used to hold the pan on, but I guess it is around an 8mm. (1) Loosen all the bolts so that they are almost all the way out but still are in the pumpkin. (2) Use a screwdriver or something to wedge the pan loose at the bottom and let the fluid roll on out, after it is finished draining remove the pan and clean the contact surfaces with a scraper or even some sandpaper. Use RTV or some other sylicon gasket material and replace the pan (take care to make sure that the contact surfake is clean and dry) rebolt and fill until the fluid comes out.

If you already knew all of this than I got in some more typing practice. If not well then there you go. I would suggest that you purchase or borrow a set of ramps as this will make things easier. Autozone, Advance Auto and I believe Pep Boys all take old oil. I put mine in an old Laundry Detergent bottle as it has a cap and pore spout and take it down.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:31 pm

I changed my diff fluid at 12k? I wanted syn in them though. I use 70w-140, couldnt find 75w-140 in a 5 gallon bucket. Got 5 gallons before the price of oil went up for $60!!!!5 gallons Castrol syn 70w-140!! i was so happy. I wont need to get more oil for years! I will not change them again until 30k, idk when im going to change the tcase? I guess ill change the tranny, tcase and axles at 30k. May do the tcase alittle earlier since its so easy and i use it so much. its really up to u, i think 50k is to late for the axles, 30k is a good point to change all the oils, than again at 60k. If u dont tow or off road then 50k is fine. Dont mean to scare anyone, just my Opinion.

Changing fluids

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