How much gunk was on your rear diff plug?

Lounatk · 01-05-2005, 02:19 PM

I finally got around to changing my fluid yesterday(after 3k miles) and I was surprised as to how much crap was on the plug. It was at least a 1/2 " high on the plug and the fluid had a grayish color to it. At least it was full from the factory. I refilled it with M1 75-90 and I plan on doing it again at 5k.

Lou

honeykeeper · 01-05-2005, 02:26 PM

Vey little grey paste like never seize..no metal pieces...and the same for the front diffie by the way. A little over 4,000 miles too. Tom

azxr · 01-05-2005, 02:28 PM

Changed mine around 4600. Was full, but very black. Didn't smell and almost nothing on the plug. There was a minute amount of grey paste on part of the plug thread area.

I put in Valvoline 80-90 semi-synth or something like that. I will be changing it when I hit 10K with full synth. Not sure if I will go to the 75-140 or stay with the recommended weight for an 04.

TYTAIN · 01-05-2005, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lounatk

I finally got around to changing my fluid yesterday(after 3k miles) and I was surprised as to how much crap was on the plug. It was at least a 1/2 " high on the plug and the fluid had a grayish color to it. At least it was full from the factory. I refilled it with M1 75-90 and I plan on doing it again at 5k.

Lou

That's a little more gunk than mine had at 6k, but you shouldn't need to change your fluid for a while now. The diff should be pretty well broken in now you probably won't see much metal from hear on out. But that's completely up to you.

TYTAIN · 01-05-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azxr

Changed mine around 4600. Was full, but very black. Didn't smell and almost nothing on the plug. There was a minute amount of grey paste on part of the plug thread area.

I put in Valvoline 80-90 semi-synth or something like that. I will be changing it when I hit 10K with full synth. Not sure if I will go to the 75-140 or stay with the recommended weight for an 04.

Hope that doesn't start another debate ,some people go by Nissan specs in the owners manual, some go by what Joe Bob Billy the cheif mechanic and bottle washer at the dealer say. I say put in what you want!

logicjunky · 01-05-2005, 03:28 PM

I thought the grey paste was a sealer of some kind on the plug? I had almost zero crappolla in my rear diff and the plug had a little of the grey paste on it at 3k.

Brons2 · 01-05-2005, 03:32 PM

The grey paste is assembly lube that is used in the diff bearings.

puddlejumper · 01-05-2005, 03:34 PM

5200 miles when I changed mine... no metal shavings just the grey stuff they used during assembly was found on my drain plug. All I can say is MAN the differential fluid reeked!

rholland · 01-05-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Mincarelli

Vey little grey paste like never seize..no metal pieces...and the same for the front diffie by the way. A little over 4,000 miles too. Tom

Same here, really was no reason to change mine, but I did.

caltitan · 01-05-2005, 07:26 PM

Fluid level was fine from the factory. When I changed at ~5500 it was a very dark gray with no shavings and a little gunk on the plug. Put in semi-synthetic 85W/140.

sndmn2 · 01-05-2005, 09:49 PM

I thought it odd that the front diff. had two magnetic plugs while the rear had one. Is mine the only one this way? If not, any particular reason for this ?

RockyMtnTitan · 01-05-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Mincarelli

Vey little grey paste like never seize..no metal pieces...and the same for the front diffie by the way. A little over 4,000 miles too. Tom

Tom, do you recall how much fluid the front diff takes. I think manual calls for 3.4 pints, but not sure if this is correct, since the capacity for the rear diff listed in the manual was 3.6 pints and actual is just over 4.

BTW....did my rear diff at about 3000 mi. No metal, no bad odor. Used M1 75W-140, will probably stick with 75-90 for front since it won't be seeing the kind of heat the rear sees.

Thanks,
Steve

Lounatk · 01-06-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brons2

The grey paste is assembly lube that is used in the diff bearings.

Cool. That's why I had so much on the plug. You think that Nissan went ahead and gave the bearings an extra shot of grease on the newer models? I know, stupid to ask, but you never know.

Lou

GA-matt · 01-06-2005, 12:42 PM

Changed mine around 3K miles and had the sludge at the bottom, a few small metal shavings, dark colored fluid with a bad burned smell. Fill level was just below full. I about 2K miles into M1 75w140 with no problems.

NorCal 4x4 · 01-06-2005, 10:39 PM

Checked level and condition at ~2000 miles - both F/R were full and in very good condition.

Changed GL at ~8000 miles. Both F/R drain plugs very dark but very little build up of debris, maybe 1/16" or less.

Replaced with Schaeffer 267 Supreme Gear Lube. A Synthetic Blend, 80W-90 that exceeds GL-5. This stuff is a paraffin base oil formula blended with synthetic base stocks, and Moly as a friction modifier. Also contains "adhesive-cohesive" additives for climbing. Good down to -22° F and up to 250° F greater than dino GL.