So i left Jeep today with a sore butt after they told me I HAD to get my diff service done as I'm at 25,000km. They said it's over 300 for the two and that I should also get it done any time my diffs, are submerged... if not mistaken are these not sealed???? With breather hoses way above the diff?

I called a lube place and they can do it for as low as 50 bucks per diff but they don't take off the cover and clean anything inside, they just drain the fluid...I need help here.. I told Jeep not to do it after I called them back to complain about the price..

Who has had this done? How much should this cost? What is REQUIRED under the warranty for the diff service, simply a fluid change?

Thx
Matt

 

That's the second person I've heard get quoted a ridiculous amount for changing the differential fluid change. I'll start off by telling you that I'm not mechanically inclined. I am a software engineer and those skills do not translate to working with mechanical tools. Yet I still do my differential service.

First thing, unless you're in water above the differential breathers (about 30 inches) then don't worry about changing the fluid when you go through water. They are sealed and unless something is wrong you'll be fine.

What you'll need is either RTV or a Lube Locker gasket and your favorite gear lube (whether that is conventional or synthetic). I just put a Lube Locker on my front after banging a rock which caused a slight leak. The Lube Locker should hopefully eliminate that issue. I changed my fluid months back, because I was putting on new covers that can take a blow from a rock. And now I've changed my front again, because of the leak. The Lube Locker made it much easier.

I'd say your total cost to do it yourself is going to run from $25-80 depending on what you use with the high end being synthetic and using Lube Lockers. What the shop would use would be on the low end of that range.

 

They also said I have to do throttle body service and fuel injection service and tune up at 25k... i just looked in the manual I don't see anything even in Schedule B about fuel injection service or tune up or throttle body service....

 

According to schedule B in the manual, it just says "drain and refill front and rear differential fluids" says nothing about changing gasket etc... now is that required to fill?? I'm new at this.. or is there simply a drain plug...

 

I usually check mine after going through any water higher then the diffs. Im glad I did, after the last trip my front was full of water, the rear was milky. The water was only about 18" deep. The front took a hit and disturbed the RTV, but the back had a gap in the RTV from the factory. I put lube lockers on them, so I feel a little more secure. But I pull the fill plugs and check now as part of my post wheeling check.

Here is a good write-up WOL did for changing fluid on his TJ.

http://www.4x4xplor.com/diff-service.html


Oh and when I first got my dodge ram, I had the dealer do a diff service... it was like 250.. they charged 22.50 per quart and 7 bucks per can of brake parts cleaner. I lived in an apartment and didnt have a choice at the time. I started laughing at the cashier when she gave me the bill. I thought it was a joke.

 

Yes they all have drain plugs now, but you are really better off taking the covers off. The dealer/factory did a really shitty RTV gasket job on mine. See my post above.

 

Let me rephrase the question;

If I got to a Mr Lube type place and have the fluid change.. is this enough for warranty should it come back to haunt me down the road.. assuming they're using the same fluids of course...

 

Yes, just document it and keep the reciept. They cant dictate where you get service done. You just need to use the approved fluids and intervals and keep good records.

 

I don't know why you would pay someone when it is an easy do-it-yourself job. For a simple fluid change, just use a 3/8" extension and ratchet to remove the drain and fill plugs. If the oil looks murky or has strange particles in it, then just take the diff cover off and clean/check the inside. You are paying someone 45-90 bucks an hour to do something anyone can do with a drain pan and simple household tools. You can take the old oil to a Walmart or some auto parts stores take used oil. If you do it yourself, you can ensure quality products go in (I use Royal Purple), instead of the cheap stuff. 3-containers of Royal Purple @ $11.99 plus a small tube of sealant (if you take the covers off) is around $40. Plus you can learn something and be sure everything is torqued properly. If you use the right products, the warranty will not be voided. They can only void the warranty if you do something stupid and they can prove neglect, like leave the plugs off or forget to put oil in it.

 

Technically, you're right. But, it's probably a good idea to make sure everything looks right in there. That is looking for uneven wear, metal shavings, etc. You're not going to see this if you drain and fill.

This is also a good opportunity to change to some armored differential covers!