Diff. Oil Change Question

LibertyGuy · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:42 am

How often do you need to change the gear oil for the front & rear diff.? :?:

I have about 38K miles and never changed the oil. Am I in trouble and should I change it right away? Is Royal Purple any good or a waste of money?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:01 am

LibertyGuy wrote:

How often do you need to change the gear oil for the front & rear diff.? :?:

I have about 38K miles and never changed the oil. Am I in trouble and should I change it right away? Is Royal Purple any good or a waste of money?

The factory suggestion of around 12k miles (IIRC) is too early IMHO but if you are running dino lube then about 20k is about right. At 38K I would say it is time. As for Royal Purple, it is ok But for the money, you could do SO much better w/ Amsoil Severe Gear and it is good for up to 100,000 miles of normal service or 50,000+ in extreme use. How much $$ is RP in your area?

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:49 am

LibertyGuy check your local Pep Boys I found Royal Purple 75W140 Max-Gear for $9.99

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:38 pm

Yes, most definently time for an oil change on both of those differentials. You might want to check the fluid now to see what it "looks" like and this will give you an idea of any potential problems that might develop down the line. Not that most people do have issues after normal driving - but it'll probably put your mind at ease to see what is in there right now.

On the Fluid, RP is pretty good. Amsoil is better... But I just like to use Mobil1 stuff (here we go again)

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:15 pm

4 Qts Amsoil Severe Gear to your door for $49. I didn't realize how competitive I could be against PB's retail prices. :twisted:

Wheeeeeee..... Here we go again....Wheeee :lol:

LibertyGuy · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:40 pm

How often do you have to change the transmission fluid? I couldn't find anything in the manual. Thanks for all the quick responses!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:33 pm

every 30K miles if you're not on the "Amsoil program"

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:10 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

every 30K miles if you're not on the "Amsoil program"

Thats what I thought also..

I was looking through my little schedule book and was amazed that it didnt call for it till 60k on the B plan..

Doesnt really matter, Im doing it at 30k..

BVCRD · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:24 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

sleeve84028 wrote:

every 30K miles if you're not on the "Amsoil program"

Thats what I thought also..

I was looking through my little schedule book and was amazed that it didnt call for it till 60k on the B plan..

Doesnt really matter, Im doing it at 30k..

Most are around 60K. My mom had a 1976 Cordoba that had over 200,000 on it and it had never been changed.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:11 pm

trannys are either a change them often, or never.

has a lot to do with gunk buildup and the detergents in the fluid.

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

yes its said if you have a high mileage tranny that never had its fluid changed, its not a good idea to flush the entire system because there is so much wear the particles suspended in the fluid take up the clearances. as i understand it.

Universeman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:52 pm

Can someone tell me why the KJ needs the diff fluid changed so often? I never even thought about changing the diff fluid(unless it had a LS) or was unaware of any requirement to change the diff fluid in any other vehicle I've owned. Did I miss something in the 17 some odd years I've been maintaining my own vehicles?

adamkrz · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:04 pm

There are 2 different schedules,I think most people are going by the schedule for more heavy duty use,I changed both of mine at 40k and both were on the clean side.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:13 am

jcphoto20 wrote:

yes its said if you have a high mileage tranny that never had its fluid changed, its not a good idea to flush the entire system because there is so much wear the particles suspended in the fluid take up the clearances. as i understand it.

I have heard the exact same thing. I did a complete fluid flush around 60K. I'm going to keep doing mine every 50-60K.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:16 am

Never thought about it until now but I never did a diff fluid change on my `86 Toyota pickup. I put 211,000 miles on it. Not one problem.

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:29 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

Never thought about it until now but I never did a diff fluid change on my `86 Toyota pickup. I put 211,000 miles on it. Not one problem.

Ditto

except mine had around 290K when I sold it. I was shooting for at least 300K, kinda miss that one

unixxx · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:28 am

I'm pretty sure the service schedule recommends changing the differential lube every 20,000 miles if necessary. The lube won't need to be changed this often if the Jeep never goes off-road. If it does go off-road, the lube should probably be changed to get rid of any water and contaminents. It should also be change if you're heavy on the gas or tow a lot.

Universeman wrote:

Can someone tell me why the KJ needs the diff fluid changed so often? I never even thought about changing the diff fluid(unless it had a LS) or was unaware of any requirement to change the diff fluid in any other vehicle I've owned. Did I miss something in the 17 some odd years I've been maintaining my own vehicles?

Universeman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:50 pm

I just checked the schedual A from the maintenance log book and it dosent ever specify changing the fluid, I don't tow or drive thru deep water so I'm gonna wait awhile before I bother changing mine, I really don't see it as an issue just a waste of dough imo

unixxx · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:00 pm

Universeman, you should see the lube's color and the nunber of steel shavings at 20,000....

Schedule A makes no mention of changing the differential lube.

Schedule B states:

Maintenance Logbook wrote:

12,000 Miles or 12 Months

Drain and refill front and rear axle fluid.

Perform if prolonged vehicle operation with heavy loading, such as off-highway operation, trailer towing, taxi, limousine, bus, snow plowing or commercial service.

Diff. Oil Change Question

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