Getting oil requirements together to change out the entire bottom end of my CRD. Haven't had the skid plates off yet and was wondering if the front differential has a drain plug. I know the rear doesn't, and I have not found any info on there being a cover gasket for the front.

Haven't had the chance to look at it and know someone here has. Would appreciate the info.

Cliff

The front diff does have a drain plug,it should take a 8mm allen wrench to remove(I've also heard some models use a different size plug but mine takes a 8mm allen wrench) so no need to pull the cover off to swap fliuds.

Thanks! That helps.

Next question: Do you or anyone know if the rear diff is a Dana 35? Or if not, does anyone know what the make and number is?

Thanks to anyone again!

Cliff

It is called a DODGE CORPORATE 8.25"

Oil is 75/85w90 Synthetic or for towing 85w140 synthetic gear oil.

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91 MB 300D 2.5L Turbo. Her's

05 MB E320 CDI. Mine

Already did both axles & t-case. They are about a 2 on a 1 to 5 difficulty scale. Worst part is the prep and gluing the rear cover on. If you can change your own oil, no reason to farm this job out to a repair shop. Don't skip changing the t-case fluid, it was in far worse shape than the axles @ 12.5K when I did mine. Used 75W90 synthetic in both axles and ATF+4 (which is a synthetic) in the t-case

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

Thanks for the replies. Was wondering about the rear axle make and number because I was looking at getting a gasket from www.lubelocker.com instead of the stock gasket. The axle cover seems to have the same dimensions as the Dana 35 but was uncertain.

I am going to do the transfer case and tranny as well. Am going to use Amsoil Severe Gear 75w140 in the rear, Severe Gear 75w90 in the front, and Amsoil Universal Auto fluid for tranny and transfer.

I will do the work myself since I have a good shop to work in at my place. Advantage to living on the farm. You are right that it is a "2" job in complexity. More people should do their own work like this and make sure it gets done right and save a little money for other things.

Thanks again!

Cliff

Should add that I spent the $ for a PML rear cover with a real drain. Next time it will be a "1". One of the things I fail to understand is the cost quoted I got for routine maintenance. This is not a difficult vehicle to service. Even with the diesel stuff, it not that exotic.

The one concern I would have is using the Amsoil product in the tranny given the failure issues. Not that the Amsoil is wrong or a substandard product but it's like giving DC a "get out of warranty free" card if that tranny comes apart. I have a gut hunch my tranny problems are filter related and would have changed these filters myself long ago if this tranny had a better track record. I refuse to lift a finger on this tranny but after prolonged arguing, the dealer is finally going to do the filter TSB on Tuesday.

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

Well, regarding the tranny, I will be using a Mopar filter kit on it and the U.S. Congress already took care of the oil issue back in 1975.

Will be kinda hard for DC to get out of a warrenty issue when it's their parts. Refusal to cover warrenty because of oil will not stand up in court.

Cliff

RFCRD,
I've had experiences with the Amsoil in general and the auto tranny fluids over 20 years.
Last time a buddy changed to it his dealer was not going to warranty it.
He called Amsoil, who climbed down the dealers throat and he got his replacement tranny. The people at Amsoil take their reputation very seriously, they back up every claim they make.

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No one knows as much as all of us.