Necessary to change front differential oil same as rear?

baseballflash5 · **Joined:** Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:46 am **Posts:** 36

Last question about differential oil changes, I promise.

My Jeep is approaching 50K mi, and I'm planning on changing the differential oil. Since I rarely use 4WD, does the front differential oil need to be changed as often as the rear, or does the amount of time the vehicle is in 4WD not matter?

Grannysgoat · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 2:23 pm

Yes, it still spins same amount as the rear even when not in 4 wheel drive. Change your transfer case fluid as well.

baseballflash5 · **Joined:** Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:46 am **Posts:** 36

OK, thanks.

DavidDulin · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2015 12:38 am

Grannysgoat wrote:

Yes, it still spins same amount as the rear even when not in 4 wheel drive. Change your transfer case fluid as well.

The dealership recommended the "4x4 Service" for my next visit - change fluids in both diffs and transfer case - $300.00!!! Sounds pricey . . . . is this typical?

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2015 2:45 am

DavidDulin wrote:

Grannysgoat wrote:

Yes, it still spins same amount as the rear even when not in 4 wheel drive. Change your transfer case fluid as well.

The dealership recommended the "4x4 Service" for my next visit - change fluids in both diffs and transfer case - $300.00!!! Sounds pricey . . . . is this typical?

Yep it is typical...dealerships have huge overhead they need to cover with those prices. You could do it yourself for under $75 too :mrgreen:

user113 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2015 11:42 pm

Or take it to a specialty transmission shop, or even your regular repair shop.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2015 11:54 pm

DavidDulin wrote:

Grannysgoat wrote:

Yes, it still spins same amount as the rear even when not in 4 wheel drive. Change your transfer case fluid as well.

The dealership recommended the "4x4 Service" for my next visit - change fluids in both diffs and transfer case - $300.00!!! Sounds pricey . . . . is this typical?

Do it yourself, save money and the diff fluid smells so good you'll just want to change it every week

Gageraid · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:34 pm

LOL Tom it smells delightful!
It's soooo simple to do it yourself!
If you do them at the same time it's one less thing to have to remember.
The front diff is easier to do anyways.

ShaqDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:58 pm

Grannysgoat wrote:

Yes, it still spins same amount as the rear even when not in 4 wheel drive. Change your transfer case fluid as well.

After changing both the front and rear differential fluid in my CRD, I have to disagree with the need to change both at the same time. While both differentials spin in unison, only the rear axel is usually engaged. Thus, these gears have more torque applied to them, resulting in more friction that wears out the oil. Unless you are in full time four wheel drive (highly unlikely), the front differential fluid should show significantly less wear than the rear.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:49 pm

Change both, only cost a few dollars more to do both, WHY only change the rear,
it still has wear, gears still turn
maybe cost 10 bucks more , silly not to

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2015 11:54 pm

ShaqDiesel wrote:

Grannysgoat wrote:

Yes, it still spins same amount as the rear even when not in 4 wheel drive. Change your transfer case fluid as well.

After changing both the front and rear differential fluid in my CRD, I have to disagree with the need to change both at the same time. While both differentials spin in unison, only the rear axel is usually engaged. Thus, these gears have more torque applied to them, resulting in more friction that wears out the oil. Unless you are in full time four wheel drive (highly unlikely), the front differential fluid should show significantly less wear than the rear.

Except the front differential has a lower oil capacity than the rear subjecting to possibly more heat and degradation of the oil. Change them both.

Arkie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:31 am

Guess it'd be a good idea to change mine. It's got 160K miles, and I'd bet my arse against 9 green walnuts it ain't ever been changed in either.

Already picked up a (double) filter kit for the tranny. My money's on it never being changed either. Like my last 4 used vehicles,it'll get a hole drilled in the bottom, a threaded patch welded over the hole, and have a drain plug where I can replace ATF in pan every oil change .

Bob

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Necessary to change front differential oil same as rear?

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