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Topic: Differential Oil Change (Read 783 times) previous topic - next topic

Differential Oil Change

Not a difficult job, but glad I don't have to do it again for a long time.  The rear drive axle holds almost 4 gal and the only pump I had was a siphon hose with a squeeze bulb in the middle.  That would have worked okay if I had planned ahead on elevating the 5 gal bucket of oil above the axle for a gravity fill.  There was room for the bucket just in front of the axle, but I had nothing to hold it in position.  So it was about an hour of squeezing the bulb to pump in 4 gal.  Another mistake I made was not loosening the fill plug first, but fortunately it was not stuck.  Neither of the magnetic plugs had any metal on them.  I used a synthetic 75W-90 oil that according to the Rockwell manual is good for 250k miles with no yearly change requirement.  Cost just under $125 for a 5 gal bucket including 8.25% sales tax. I drove about 30 miles on the Interstate with an OAT of 85 degrees to warm up the old oil.  That was about 10 miles more than I really needed to do as the oil was almost hot enough to burn my fingers.  The 1 gal left over is going in the manual transmission on the toad.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Differential Oil Change

Reply #1
I went synthetic on my last change.  But my differental calls for 75W-140 GL5.  And they told me that the API  service classification of GL-5  was more important than anything.  GL-5 = "Moderate and severe service on hypoid and other types of gears. May also be used in manual transmissions".  According to my manual, the synthetic lets me extend the changes way out there, as compared to the regular dino gear lub.  I will not try to tell anyone that this gives me better mpg.  With the differental now having synthetic gear lub, the whole coach  now has synthetic fluids all the way round.  The old girl seems quite happy about the whole deal.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Differential Oil Change

Reply #2
When I changed the differential to synthetic in April, it was hot in California so did not drive to warm the oil. I used the largest tube that would fit the fill hole, long enough to reach the side of the coach. Attached a large funnel which was wired to an awning bracket. Just kept returning every few minutes to refill the funnel.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

 

Re: Differential Oil Change

Reply #3
I found a pump that fits on top on a five gallon can of gear oil and can fill the differential in all of five minutes. Pump comes with a lid that replaces the five gallon can lid and pump pump fits through a hole in the pump lid. It is lever action and very easy to use.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522