How often should you bring your car into the mechanics for rear differential service?

Question

I don't know much about cars and when I got an oil change at Jiffy Lube, they said my car was due for this service. I said, no thanks, but now I'm wondering if this is something important.

Answer 1

The mileage recommendation for you to replace the oil in your differential is determined by your manufacturer. It is a preventative maintenace item, to keep your vehicle in top shape. The heavy oil (probably a 80w90 oil or similar) goes through extreme heat and stress during operation - basically a bowl 1/2 filled with oil which the pinion gears spin through to keep lubricated and cooled, the faster you go the more stress and heat occur (towing increases this affect). The oil does break down, like motor oil, just not as quickly. The oil can become thinned and filled with metal shavings over time.

Is it necessary? Not necessarily. I have seen differentials with 150k+ miles never changed oil (they leak and have alot of shavings in the oil, but still operate, probably not at peak performance though). I have also seen (<75k miles) differentials lock up, even with correct (or nearly) amount of oil in them.

The recommendation that JL gave you was probably based on your vehicles manufacturer's severe service maintenance schedule. As the majority of drivers operate their vehicle under severe driving conditions, it is common to use that schedule - even the dealerships use that schedule.

I can tell you that JL should not tell you it is due, but there is no harm in saying it is recommended by the manufacturer. And they should allow you to make the decision based on how you want to care for your vehicle. In no way would changing the oil in your differential harm the vehicle as long as the correct oil is used (there are different gear lubes - the one for your differential could be the very common 80w90 or GL5, or it could be a specialty oil like Synchromesh). So, if you have it done just make sure they use the correct oil for your vehicle.

Answer 2

yes it is important but dont let them tell you just by looking at the color. Most newer trucks take synthetic gear lube which is a little different in color than the old standard gear lube. If you do a lot of towing or off roading and it is synthetic then I would say about every 30k miles if not towing or off roading then about 50k miles. Look in the manual and go by that. Too many shops go by the appearance of fluids and not the recommended time interval to change them. I own 3 quick lubes and if I had my guys recommend fluid changes just by appearance then they would be selling fluid changes all day long that are not necessary. We first look at the fluid then we precede to look at the mileage and then we ask the customer what type of driving they do. If you have an older vehicle that does not take synthetic gear lube then probably about every 15-25k miles would be normal. One more note to add make sure the fluid they use (if synthetic) either has the correct additives in it already like Pennzoil gearm lubes do or if not make sure they put the additives in.

Answer 3

I work at a Jiffy Lube. We go strictly by what the manufactor rec. depending on what type of vehicle you have depends on how often you change it. Some on the newer one rec. evern 7500 -10000 miles. as to where some of you older ones rec. up to 30000 miles. depending on how you drive if you do any off-roading or if you just use the vehicle for lesuire depends on how often you should change it. If you do alot of off-roading YES change it as it is recommended. If you use it for lesuire then once a year should be fine. Remember if you have any quiestion call your local jiffy lube or your dealership hope this helps

Answer 4

I check the oil in my diff once a year, and it's always full.

There's no combusion deposits to get in there, so whatever metal particulates form settle out and don't effect the lubricity of the fluid.

Generally speaking, other than checking the fluid level, changing the 90wt once every decade is enough.

Answer 5

the respond relies upon how badly you have chose this carried out, you will possibly be able to might desire to alter the motor mounts because of the fact maximum rear wheel transmission are hook up with the engine at an attitude (4 stages tilt). next is the bell housing, assuming the grab andflywheel have compatibility. I used to have a seventy two olds toronad that's a front wheel force and that i will theorize that it is switched to my 'seventy 3 olds cutlass. together with his new automobiles, i ask your self in case you will possibly be able to desire to mdify the exhaust pipes or not because of the fact of he CAT converter emission and placement of lots of the gasoline lines. i might say interior the older automobiles, its ok.

Answer 6

Check your owners manual for how often you change the differential oil. Most people never change theirs for the life of their car.

Answer 7

different models and manufacturers vary, check your owners manual. Generally every 30,000 miles is common. Don't believe the J. L. people!

Answer 8

rear diff can go a long time as long as you don't see any leaks once every year or two you should check it and change if it smells burnt or looks too dirty. 50,000 miles should be good

Answer 9

when it starts acting up