gear oil change

91TPU · 01-05-2007, 11:45 PM

so i just changed my gear oil in my front and rear diff's and holy hell, i almost puked when i cracked em open, i swear, that is the most horrid smell ever. back on topic, being that both have a magnetic drain plug i noticed almost no shavings in the rear diff, but a rather large amount in the front, basically the rear magnetic was covered but only by a lil bit, the front had like a bit of buildup on it, about 3 or 4 times as much as the rear...is this odd or is this jsut the way it goes?

also, for the grease fittings on the u joints, i cant seem to get grease into them, i can just replace the fittings rather then the whole joint correct?

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Sonofmayhem · 01-06-2007, 12:04 AM

I only know to the fittings, they are replaceable, or at least you can buy them for that application.

**waskillywabbit** · 01-06-2007, 06:58 AM

I wouldn't sweat it but I would change the diff fluid a bit more often.

mt_goat · 01-06-2007, 07:49 AM

I can't see why the front drain plug would have more fragments than the rear unless the rear was changed more recently or the front has been abused some way.

Alperovich · 01-06-2007, 07:53 AM

how often do you use the 4x4? the front does see more abuse then the rear because when the wheels turn it puts it under more stress, something that the rear doesn't have to deal with. do you use the 4x4 when its dry?? anyways i would just change the fluid more often in the front and call it a day.

drew303 · 01-06-2007, 02:05 PM

Why more metal in the front dif? Isn't it obvious? The rear is broken in XXXX amount of miles. Whatever was going to wear on the gears is worn, many miles ago.

The front see's dramatically less use than the rear. If you could compare how many miles are on the rear Dif compared the front, you'd probably would have seen just as much metal shavings on the rear mag-plug as you do on the front now when the rear reached the same amount of mileage as your front is seeing NOW. *breeeeaathe* lol

Not to mention the front dif fluid gets changed less than the rear for the very same reason, it's used less and the oil doesn't break down as quick.

I've seen the same thing on my truck.

As for the smell, no idea other than really old fluid with water and dirt in it.

FYI, another thing if you are running the stock dif breathers (little cap with spring and seal) make sure its not packed with grease/dirt or whatever. Friend of mine blew out her rear axle seals because the plug was packed, almost cement like. She didn't believe me till the shop charged her $1100 to install new seals and told her the same thing. Women. I never got the chance to investigate her rear 3rd more but she stopped driving it because it shimmied/rattled bad on the freeway which led her to look under the rear end to discover all the gear oil on the tires. I could almost turn the driveline 1/3 of a rotation which is IMO the cause of the shimmy... waaay to much play in the gears (backlash). I wonder if the shop fixed it. ÅÅÅÅ for $1000 i hope they did.

01-06-2007, 12:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sonofmayhem Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Springs, Colorado Posts: 1,700	I only know to the fittings, they are replaceable, or at least you can buy them for that application. __________________ 4.3/5.0 Do iT!

01-06-2007, 06:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,554	I wouldn't sweat it but I would change the diff fluid a bit more often. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

01-06-2007, 07:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
mt_goat Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State Posts: 8,919	I can't see why the front drain plug would have more fragments than the rear unless the rear was changed more recently or the front has been abused some way. __________________ ~Dale~ 93 4X4 ext-cab, auto, SR5, 3.4 V6, supercharged, 2.1" pulley, URD fuel mods, Aquamist WI, IPT valve body mod, dual cases, 4" superlift front, Alcan springs rear, 33 BFG MT, ARB locked front & rear, 5.29 US Gears, RB 1" Body Lift, 1.5" ball joint spacers, manual hubs, TJM T-17, Warn m8000.

01-06-2007, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Alperovich Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 191	how often do you use the 4x4? the front does see more abuse then the rear because when the wheels turn it puts it under more stress, something that the rear doesn't have to deal with. do you use the 4x4 when its dry?? anyways i would just change the fluid more often in the front and call it a day. __________________ ~Alex My cars.. 93 Acura Legend cpe 6spd ; 93 Legend cpe auto (parts) ; 90 T4r V6 5spd ; 82 Yamaha Maxim 550 Past cars... 02 Dodge Durango ; 89 Lude 4ws 5spd totaled :( - not by me! ; 96 Chevy Blazer 2dr Other cars in the fam 05 Dodge Grand Caravan (dads) ; 01 Dodge Ram B3500 (dad's) ; 01 Civic (moms) ; 00 Lexus RX300 (sisters) ; 96 Cherokee (sisters bfriend)

01-06-2007, 02:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
drew303 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 2,033	Why more metal in the front dif? Isn't it obvious? The rear is broken in XXXX amount of miles. Whatever was going to wear on the gears is worn, many miles ago. The front see's dramatically less use than the rear. If you could compare how many miles are on the rear Dif compared the front, you'd probably would have seen just as much metal shavings on the rear mag-plug as you do on the front now when the rear reached the same amount of mileage as your front is seeing NOW. breeeeaathe lol Not to mention the front dif fluid gets changed less than the rear for the very same reason, it's used less and the oil doesn't break down as quick. I've seen the same thing on my truck. As for the smell, no idea other than really old fluid with water and dirt in it. FYI, another thing if you are running the stock dif breathers (little cap with spring and seal) make sure its not packed with grease/dirt or whatever. Friend of mine blew out her rear axle seals because the plug was packed, almost cement like. She didn't believe me till the shop charged her $1100 to install new seals and told her the same thing. Women. I never got the chance to investigate her rear 3rd more but she stopped driving it because it shimmied/rattled bad on the freeway which led her to look under the rear end to discover all the gear oil on the tires. I could almost turn the driveline 1/3 of a rotation which is IMO the cause of the shimmy... waaay to much play in the gears (backlash). I wonder if the shop fixed it. ÅÅÅÅ for $1000 i hope they did. __________________ 1987 Pickup, single cab, 22R, new head, 260 cam TG 3" SAS, rear disc brakes, chromoly rear axles, Chromoly Birfs, Tcase brake, 37x12.50R15 MT/Rs, 5.29 gears, rear Aussie Locker, front Detroit Truetrac. Last edited by drew303; 01-06-2007 at 02:10 PM.

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