Doe's anyone know if the suction pump work's to get the gear oil out, my friend went to his Dodge dealer, and they used a suction pump to empty the fluid, Never pulled a cover off,, Is this an option we can use, It still cost him $150.00

 

I wouldn't bother with a $150 suction pump. For one thing, I don't think you'll get as much out as you would like.

All you need is a 13mm socket & 3/8" drive (everyone on this site should have a couple of each ....), and some time to lie under there and loosen them all up a little (15 minutes?). Its easier on a 4x4 if you're lying on the ground like I do (more ground clearance with the 4x4).

Keep the bottom bolt tight until you slide a pan underneath it. When you loosen the bottom bolt, the weight of the lube will push the cover out a little and drop the old lube straight into the pan.

When its finished draining, just tighten them all up and torque to 30ftlbs.

Go to PEP boys and spend under $10 for a little pump to pump the lube from the bottles into the differential.

That whole procedure won't take that much time, and about the same effort as changing the engine oil.

 

I just had mine done at the dealer which is a friend of mine and they have to add limited slip additive in the 2004's.

 

No additive is required for the limited slip...they made a mistake.

It is gear driven...not clutch and requires no friction modifiers.

 

No mistake i called my service tech at home and he said definatly had to have additive.

 

surprise surprise a vp44 at a Dodge dealer is 3800 dollars (plus labor) you can buy a vp44 out of Detroit for 1150.00

 

The suction pump idea is ok if you can feel like your getting out all the gear oil, the problem is when you pull the cover all the metal pieces usually come with. I have to use a pump on my boat transmission and the problem is everytime I swear I got it all, it always takes a diff capacity to fill 'er up I wouldn't use the pump.

 

if any of you guys are interested in amsoil let me know. I know I'm not registered here as a dealer on this site. But just e-mail me and I can "hook you up". I am a registered amsoil dealer and I can sponsor you if you would like to become one too!! I have used all amsoil products in my trucks in the past and have loved them thats why I became a dealer. (underwoodtony@yahoo.com)

 

Budsowner,

You may want to have your service manager read the following TSB on our trucks. The AAM does NOT use additive/friction modifier. I don't think you have to worry about it damaging the LS, because our differentials don't have clutches, but it's not supposed to be in there. My dealer drained and refilled my differential after being shown the TSB.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-001-04A.htm

Here is an excerpt from the TSB:

(DR) RAM TRUCK 2500 - 3500
AXLE FLUID LEVEL
(measured from the bottom of the fill hole) FLUID CAPACITY
10.5 Rear Axle 25 mm (1 in.) ± 6 mm (1/4 in.) - 2.5L (85 oz.) - SAE 75W-140 Synthetic
11.5 Rear Axle 6 mm (1/4 in.) ± 6 mm (1/4 in.) - 3.6 L (122 oz.) - SAE 75W-140 Synthetic
9 1/4 Front Axle 6 mm (1/4 in.) ± 6 mm (1/4 in.) - 2.2 L (76 oz.) - SAE 75W-90 Non Synthetic

NOTE: The limited slip feature on 2500/3500 series Ram Trucks utilizes the Trac Rite
locking feature which does not require Trac-Lok additives or friction modifiers.