Screw the 80w-140, the 75w-90 synth works fine, stays cool enough even without the finned cover and gets better economy than the 80w-140. Plus I do the majority of my towing in the winter, -20 deg. and 140wt oil aren't a great combo.

At -2 degrees, they are they have almost the same flow rates. The "140" merely says that the oil will flow like a 140 wt oil at 210 degrees. If you were using Mobil-1 75W-140 it would flow the same as the 75W-90 but you would have the high temp protection (tht occurs not because of ambient but unit loading of the gears).

 

To me it appears as the the E-Lockers make up at least 1/2 the failures if not more. I don't think it's the use of the e-lock so much as the design, since I have only used the e-lock to check it out. Mine went at 3,600 miles.

I've said before that I do think the synthetic and extra capacity along with better heat transfer is really just a band-aid.

I'm confident that over time it will be proven that this diff is not going to prove itself with the Titan. When I'm on a trip and towing heavy with my family, I treat it with TLC.

I now have an additional 9,000 miles (about 12,000 total) and I'm confident that if it's an issue, enough will go before the warranty runs out (50,000 miles drivetrain???)

Cheif

 

I would also like to see one of these failed units.
I've been a long jeep man and I know that in the wrangler world it is a rule of thumb to not run bigger than 35" tires on a stock D44 that is locked and that is with the 4.0L 181hp/222lb/ft engine. I'm not saying that it can't be done as I ran a Locked (stock)D30 (smaller than a D44) & (built)TERA 60 combo with 37's with no problems, but the wrangler has A LOT less Torque, HP and weight on the axle. Not to mention that not all D44's are the same. It's all in the components used and not all stock units are built to the same strength. The 93-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee's with the 5.2L & 5.9L Dodge engines used an all aluminum center D44 that was prone to problems most of which occurred around 80k and up. We (O/R package w/ locker) have a locked truck with high Torque/Hp #'s and 33" tires and with the problems that have occurred already I hope in the long run the diff cover/fluid change fixes the problem and doesn’t just post pone it till our trucks have more miles and out of the warranty.

 

Rear axle failures

Are the majority of these failures with the off road package which has the E-locker? Anyone know what is actually letting go? Sounds to me that the diff case is the problem. I'm wondering if the diff pin is breaking it's retainer and falling out and wiping out everything including the ring and pinion. I'd love to see one of these blown units apart. Also now that Stillen has a supercharger availible for the Titan what is another 100+ hp going to do to these undersize[I think] rear axles?

 

All this talk of E-Locker weakness, it makes me feel like doing the over-ride mod, going out on the pavement in 2 high with the locker on,

and Blowing It to High Hell!!!!!!!!

 

I have a 05 CC BT and the differential fluid had been changed twice at 17K and the ring or pinion went towing my 6.5K Travel Trailer up my driveway. I barely got up thanks to the front axle and 4x4. I have used the E-Locker a few times only when climbing the driveway in rain pulling the TT.

Anybody noticed the motor really surges bad when you are towing up hill in 4L with tow mode on? My 04 and my 05 both do it. I would bet every one of you guys's do it like the downshift shudder thing.

 

e-locker= THE WEAKEST LINK!

 

there was a couple of questions in another post here regarding who had rear end failures and what kind of truck. everyone that answered all had 4x4 with the offroad package, with the locker. i don't neccesarily think the guys with the Big Tow package are getting nail with it. the guys with the offroad package are(same gearing as the BIG tow) are getting nailed. what i'm saying is, i think our rear ends are good, i have the 4x2 BT and to be honest, i haven't broken in my rear end the "proper" way when it came to towing, and no signs of problems(knock on wood). i just think the locker is what's hurting it. i haven't heard or seen any rear end failure that didn't have the locker.

 

It would be interesting to get the statistics on the factory fill failures. The rear seems o.k. in mine, but the front is going out at 26,000 miles and I have changed it three times already!!

Great, one more thing to look forward to :teethmast

 

The question should be, of those that did change thier diff. fluid , how many had a failure. I'll bet 99% where on the factory fill.

It would be interesting to get the statistics on the factory fill failures. The rear seems o.k. in mine, but the front is going out at 26,000 miles and I have changed it three times already!!

 

My truck is a big tow 04. At 2K miles I changed the fluid. It was at proper level, but the drain plug magnet was overwhelmed with shavings and when drained it was obvious the fluid had small metal particles in it. Of course I changed it, I tow often and have had zero diff issue's with mobil 1 75w-90 fluid. Diff stays cool when zapped with the infared thermometer. The next fluid change at 5K miles showed a drastic decrease in metal particles. So common sense would tell me the early diff failures where a result of a dirty break in of the diff. If the fluid was run to the recommended change interval the diff probabaly won't make it on the factory fill as it can not put all the metal shavings to the side. Screw the 80w-140, the 75w-90 synth works fine, stays cool enough even without the finned cover and gets better economy than the 80w-140. Plus I do the majority of my towing in the winter, -20 deg. and 140wt oil aren't a great combo.

The question should be, of those that did change thier diff. fluid , how many had a failure. I'll bet 99% where on the factory fill.

 

Thanks for the info and links on the Shaeffers. I have an '04, but switched over to the M1 75W-140 in the rear, and 75W-90 M1 in the front about 11,000 miles ago. It looks like Shaeffers makes a #167 Moly Synthetic Gear Lube 75W-140. It is synthetic, so do you think it would suffer from the same lack of "climbing" found with other full synth gear oils, like the Amsoil?

Sounds like you're still sold on the full synthetic. That's understandable, and I looked into the 167 before, but ...

They must sell mostly to garages, industries, and farms because only a very few of their products are availble by the case.
The 167 you mention is not one of them "Packaging: #167 Moly Pure Synthetic Gear Lube is available in (net weights) 420 lb. drums, 225 lb. drums and 120 lb. kegs."

I skimmed through the 167 datasheet and did not find anything on its climbing abilities. http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/167.pdf

 

Both bottles look like a 80W90, Schaeffers being the 267 synthetic blend, and the Amsoil being a full synthetic GL-4, (marine for whatever reason).

I use the 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.

I had to buy a case of 12, (3 changes F/R), for ~$85 including shipping. Also, had to contact their sales rep. (mine was in CA), for you in CO, it looks like it would be: Ken Moddelmog of Greeley, CO 1-970-330-3904 kmoddelmog@msn.com (according to the Schaffer site). http://www.schaefferoil.com
However, unless you have a '04 you would be going against spec. to use this stuff, since Nissan changed the rear spec. to 75W140 full synthetic with the '05 Titans.

The lack of climbing of the full synthetic is worrisome to me, but almost everyone uses it so I'm sure full synthetics are o.k. [I do use M1 full synthetics in my Titan's engine, would definitely trust Red-line Oil, and Amsoil too, but not sure if I would try a synthetic blend engine oil from Schaeffer, as I don't see the benefit like I do in the differential: mainly the climbing and water separation-in case any gets through the vents' valve].

Thanks for the info and links on the Shaeffers. I have an '04, but switched over to the M1 75W-140 in the rear, and 75W-90 M1 in the front about 11,000 miles ago. It looks like Shaeffers makes a #167 Moly Synthetic Gear Lube 75W-140. It is synthetic, so do you think it would suffer from the same lack of "climbing" found with other full synth gear oils, like the Amsoil?

 

I think band aid would be correct if our differentials have a fundamental design flaw, which isn't likely. Otherwise there would be many more people experiencing what you and a few others have. I think it is more likely poor manufacturing, assembly or heat treating of parts in some of the early production runs.

In some cases it may have been guys with lockers turning on pavement, etc. and of course the really low fluid levels on some.

Obviously if your company's differentials are blistering amid reports of blown ones, you will do something about it, for political reasons if nothing else.

But there are just too many people drag racing, hill climbing, towing, and off-road racing these trucks for it to be something a band aid will cover up.

People that have 4 blown diffs. either Nissan uses there production rejects as replacement parts, or there was something out of wack with the guy's truck causing this.

 

It is my opinion that some of the failures were definitely caused by the underfilling of the Differential (the build sheet said put in 2.2 quarts. Since the dispenser handle is calibrated in pints, someone stopped on 2.2 pints). The rest of the failures, again my opinion, have been caused by extreme use (sometimes referred to as abuse). My Dealer has replaced exactly one (1) in a Titan (and they have sold Titans in the 100's). That owner towed a piece of construction machinery and would get stuck on muddy sites regularly. Lots of jerking and spinning to get out.

I wouldn't worry about an epidemic.

I'm not worried either and I don't think it's an epidemic. But there are some isolated cases.

My truck was not used under these conditions, nor was it underfilled but for 4 0z or so, then at 1,000 miles it was topped off. I'm not easy on vehicles, yet in 23 years of driving this is the only diff that has ever failed, And it failed new. I don't know anyone who this has happened to on any make ever.

I expect this truck to hold up and perform at least as well as others I have owned, and in a major way, it did not. Now there are others on various Titan sites that like to do an occasional burnout like me and have had no problems so far. Not many diffs blew up, but more were replaced for overheating, humming noise, burnt paint. So maybe heat is the big issue, but changing to synth, more capacity, and better heat transfer is still a bandaid substitute for a diff that can handle the torque.

I'm not worried about wether the fix works or not. It's under warranty.

 

Thanks....interesting test they did at BITOG. So that was the Amsoil gear lube the Shaeffers was compared to? What weight did you use in the Shaeffers...and who has the best price on it?

Both bottles look like a 80W90, Schaeffers being the 267 synthetic blend, and the Amsoil being a full synthetic GL-4, (marine for whatever reason).

I use the 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.

I had to buy a case of 12, (3 changes F/R), for ~$85 including shipping. Also, had to contact their sales rep. (mine was in CA), for you in CO, it looks like it would be: Ken Moddelmog of Greeley, CO 1-970-330-3904 kmoddelmog@msn.com (according to the Schaffer site). http://www.schaefferoil.com
However, unless you have a '04 you would be going against spec. to use this stuff, since Nissan changed the rear spec. to 75W140 full synthetic with the '05 Titans.

The lack of climbing of the full synthetic is worrisome to me, but almost everyone uses it so I'm sure full synthetics are o.k. [I do use M1 full synthetics in my Titan's engine, would definitely trust Red-line Oil, and Amsoil too, but not sure if I would try a synthetic blend engine oil from Schaeffer, as I don't see the benefit like I do in the differential: mainly the climbing and water separation-in case any gets through the vents' valve].

 

Which differential fails most?

I heard the Fords have a problem with their diffs overheating when the truck catches on fire.... :lol:

 

I have one of the first lockers, a May '04 build BT/OR pkg. No problems. I've towed several times, and have used the locker hill climbing numerous times, but never above its rated 12 mph crawl rating. I have the original steel cover and run the manual's specified 80W90 GL5 fluid, as Nissan has never appended the '04 manuals. The TSB was directed at the dealers:
http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/Bulletins/Nissan/2005/NTB05-008.htm

I changed the fluid on the front and rear twice, somewhere around 2,000 and 12,000 miles. I use the Bobistheoilguy.com featured, Schaeffers 267, and the cover stays fairly cool. I've placed my hand on it and was able to keep it there a couple of minutes after towing. I have 22,000 miles on it now and plan to change the rear fluid again soon.

Btw, I had the level checked a little before the first change, and both F/R differentials were full, and the fluid looked pretty clean. I decided to play it safe and change it anyway, and I was brainwashed by the following link, especially the egg beater pic. :dunno:
http://bobistheoilguy.com/gearoiltest.htm

Thanks....interesting test they did at BITOG. So that was the Amsoil gear lube the Shaeffers was compared to? What weight did you use in the Shaeffers...and who has the best price on it?

 

On another thread here, it was stated that the failures can be attributed to the preload being set too tight. Don't know if this has been confirmed on more than one failed diff, though. We hear about all these failures, yet not much info on the point of failure. You'd think if there was a preload issue, it would've generated a TSB by now.

 

Not the Armada's. :bye:

 

It is my opinion that some of the failures were definitely caused by the underfilling of the Differential (the build sheet said put in 2.2 quarts. Since the dispenser handle is calibrated in pints, someone stopped on 2.2 pints). The rest of the failures, again my opinion, have been caused by extreme use (sometimes referred to as abuse). My Dealer has replaced exactly one (1) in a Titan (and they have sold Titans in the 100's). That owner towed a piece of construction machinery and would get stuck on muddy sites regularly. Lots of jerking and spinning to get out.

I wouldn't worry about an epidemic.

I'd say that's a very sound opinion.

 

No failure yet

I have an '04 (8/04) with BT and tow a lot. I changed to 75W-140 Syn at 3500 mi on my own (have always preferred synthetic oils). My trailer weighs #6500 and when hitched up, my combination weighs over 13,000#. Dif temp rarely approaches 190 deg and only when pulling a long mountain grade. 15,000 miles and no issues with differential. Not even a sliver on the magnet.

It is my opinion that some of the failures were definitely caused by the underfilling of the Differential (the build sheet said put in 2.2 quarts. Since the dispenser handle is calibrated in pints, someone stopped on 2.2 pints). The rest of the failures, again my opinion, have been caused by extreme use (sometimes referred to as abuse). My Dealer has replaced exactly one (1) in a Titan (and they have sold Titans in the 100's). That owner towed a piece of construction machinery and would get stuck on muddy sites regularly. Lots of jerking and spinning to get out.

I wouldn't worry about an epidemic.

 

I have one of the first lockers, a May '04 build BT/OR pkg. No problems. I've towed several times, and have used the locker hill climbing numerous times, but never above its rated 12 mph crawl rating. I have the original steel cover and run the manual's specified 80W90 GL5 fluid, as Nissan has never appended the '04 manuals. The TSB was directed at the dealers:
http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/Bulletins/Nissan/2005/NTB05-008.htm

I changed the fluid on the front and rear twice, somewhere around 2,000 and 12,000 miles. I use the Bobistheoilguy.com featured, Schaeffers 267, and the cover stays fairly cool. I've placed my hand on it and was able to keep it there a couple of minutes after towing. I have 22,000 miles on it now and plan to change the rear fluid again soon.

Btw, I had the level checked a little before the first change, and both F/R differentials were full, and the fluid looked pretty clean. I decided to play it safe and change it anyway, and I was brainwashed by the following link, especially the egg beater pic. :dunno:
http://bobistheoilguy.com/gearoiltest.htm

 

So Far So Good

I have an 04 4x4 w/ BT and locker. So far no issues, but I don't tow and so far haven't had to use the locker. I did replace the diff. fluid w/ 75/140 @ 1500 and 19000 miles though.

 

that sucks. I have an e-locker and the low gear ratio (offroad) No problems yet at 11000 miles. Maybe I'd better throw some royal purple in there.