Changed Rear Diff Fluid

BK19702 · 06-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Well, changed the rear diff fluid this weekend after 21,000 miles. I would have taken pictures, but there was nothing of real interest to see. I drove the truck around the block a little to warm up the oil, then got to work. The existing fluid in the diff looked pretty good, no burnt smell, no siginificant metal shavings to speak of. There was a little less that 1/8" of mung (technical term) on the drain plug, which was less than I expected based on what some other posters have seen. So, my laundry list of equipement:

1 - Tube of Permatex thread sealant (about $4)
3 - Quarts or Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-140 Synthetic ($10 each - preferred customer pricing, completely worth it by the way)
1 - MeasuFunnel from AutoZone complete with hose and on/off flow cap (about $6)

I have to say, the funnel from AutoZone was a godsend; just filled the funnel with the new fluid, capped it, inserted hose in the fill hole, held the funnel overhead (resting my arm on the spare), turned the cap to 'on' and let it drain right into the pumpkin. Pretty easy and no big mess to speak of. Of course prior to this I applied Permatex to the drain plugged and torqued to 20 ft-lbs.

Nice part about the funnel is I was able to measure exactly 2.0L for the fill; basically two whole quarts (946ml each), then a portion of the third to 100ml on the funnel. Level was right where it was to begin when I checked the original fluid. So, some moderate clean up, more Permatex, and torqued the fill bolt to 25 ft-lbs. Once more around the block and checked for leaks....none

So, that was Saturday morning, I've checked back Sunday and this morning after the drive in to work, no issues either. My only thought on improvment would be to use the hand pump that Amsoil sells to pump the fluid into the diff, but that's not really a big deal. Other than that, the money I spend to do it myself is no where in comparison to the lost time waiting at the dealership in addition to the $100 + they would have charged me to do the same thing.

Anyway, I figured I'd share just to add to the database of info for fellow Titan owners.

bestatchess · 06-11-2007, 05:46 AM

That funnel sounds interesting, for sure.

Shane06fl · 06-11-2007, 10:14 AM

I use a hand pump that is for the tall bottles of gear lube. I trim the stem to fit the Amsoil bottles and it works great

thclimer · 06-11-2007, 11:25 AM

When I do mine the next time I'll definitely be getting a pump or the funnel you speak of. I changed mine trying to use a funnel with an extension tube, it worked, but a pump seems to sound like a much better plan.

TAFOYA'STITAN · 06-11-2007, 12:03 PM

did it help at any clunks coming from the rear. i get it when i switch from park to drive

BK19702 · 06-11-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAFOYA'STITAN

did it help at any clunks coming from the rear. i get it when i switch from park to drive

I didn't have any clunks to begin with. I changed the fluid as a preventative measure to remove the original oil and any shavings that may have accumulated in the diff as a result of manufacturing, etc.

Justintoxicated · 06-18-2007, 11:47 AM

I think I have that same funnel with the measuring thing, and the blue on/off twist?

I think I would suggest using the pump though I have the autozone hand pump as well. I dunno guess it depends what you feel like cleaning up afterwards? Sometimes teh pump take forever to return to the "ready for another pump" position since the fluid is so thick..