How often do you change your Front/Rear Differential Fluid?

fj12ryder wrote:

352 wrote:
Every time I change my engine oil. Every 2,000 miles to be safe and you should too.

Okay, now there's a guy with a sense of humor. :)

My kind of guy. You fingered it out

The first change is the most important because it seems like there's more debris in it, and that goes for diffs, transfer cases and transmissions. Subsequent intervals could probably be extended. I suppose that's because the initial wear creates more metal shavings than later when everything is smoothed off.

I'm guilty of changing stuff too soon, or at least sooner than the OEM "recommended" intervals. I've been changing diff, tranny and xfer case fluids at 30,000 miles. Each of my vehicles have in the neighborhood of 250,000 miles on them. Not a single mechanical failure (lubricant related) among them and everything operates as close to a 'new' vehicle as you can get. I've upped oil changes from 4000 to 5000 miles recently and I rotate the tires at the same time I change the oil. Yes it's sooner than you could get away with, but I doubt the OEM's want our vehicles to last forever. If it lasts forever, you'd be less inclined to buy a new one.

Here I thought it were check fuel level while filling engine with oil?!?!?

Marty

DownTheAvenue wrote:

ParkCountry wrote:
What is your regimen?

I have found that reading, understanding, and following the owner's manual always works best!

That is good advice unless you know that you did something well outside of normal operating range. One tidbit that I have found in two of my manuals that does not seem to be widely followed is to put the transmission in neutral if you are going to be stopped for several minutes to reduce heat buildup.

ParkCountry wrote:
What is your regimen?

I have found that reading, understanding, and following the owner's manual always works best!

wnjj wrote:
Fluid may be "cheap insurance" but you're slightly increasing the risk of failure. What if you make a mistake when changing it? E.g. Wrong level of fluid, contamination or create a leak. Some things are better left alone for longer periods.

While I don't think changing diff juice as a matter of course every 3-4 oil changes is even remotely necessary, the slight risk of failure is really non existent. Like saying brushing your teeth twice a day doubles your risk of getting toothpaste in your eye!

wnjj wrote:
Fluid may be "cheap insurance" but you're slightly increasing the risk of failure. What if you make a mistake when changing it? E.g. Wrong level of fluid, contamination or create a leak. Some things are better left alone for longer periods.

What? I'll change mine when I replace my transmission filter and adjust the bands at 30,000 mile intervals. I already have a cast aluminum differential cover with drain plug and full synthetic. Fear of doing simple maintenance just isn't in my wheel house.

Fluid may be "cheap insurance" but you're slightly increasing the risk of failure. What if you make a mistake when changing it? E.g. Wrong level of fluid, contamination or create a leak. Some things are better left alone for longer periods.

I do my trans and rear diff every 25k miles. Fluid is cheap compared to a repair due to lack of maintenance.