Hey everyone so after wrestling my driverside cv out using primitive means only to find a completely seized outer joint I had a question. When the cv comes out of the diff some oil will drip out thats normal but what color should it be? Mine is a milky color, definitely did not look like the oil that I just drained out of my rear diff(which was still good). I am assuming it should be the same color approx. with the same nasty smell? Also if I do need to replace it what is the most common weight? Ya i've searched but i'd like to get a quick concesus. Thanks!

 

If it's milky then you probably got water in it somehow. It should look essentially like newish motor oil, maybe a little thicker and darker. Make sure your seals are good and the breather tube is higher than any water you plan to go through, then just change the fluid and you should be good. I think it calls for 75w90 gear oil but you should check a manual to be sure. Also, I would recommend springing for the extra money if you can for synthetic oil but it's not a big deal in the front diff so use what you want.

I hope this answered it for you...

 

80w90 in the rear and 75w90 in the front diff and the transfer

 

Thanks guys, Ya when it came out I was quite worried, hope nothing is damaged, I'll be doing the front diff breather extension now I guess, I did the rear last week.

 

Redline Heavy Shockproof

 

I would do Redline but I think I need to do this ASAP because of the milkiness of the oil.

 

just toss some dino oil in it. I don't see the point of synthetic in a diff since they outlast the engine. Especially the front diff.

 

The point is reduced wear, friction, and heat generation. In the case of Heavy Shockproof, there is also a much higher "stickiness" to make sure the lubricant is pulled up by the ring gear into the pinion gear, especially at the low speeds we travel while 'wheeling and a degree of shock absorption "cushion" to prevent shock loading damage due to the low ratios in 4LOW.

I will agree that proper maintenance (ie - making sure there's no water in there) is more important. Extending the front diff breather is a PITA if you have a 3.0, but absolutely necessary!

 

Ya I know it is a pita but seeing how milky my oil is I'll have to do it. I just put in my new cv today (also had to put in a new steel brake line to the caliper grr!) then my apt manager came and yelled at me for the brake fluid on the groud haha! guess I'll do the diff oil tomorrow...in a different parking lot!