tsualumni

I brought my 06 Ram 2500 HD 4x4 to the service department yesterday because the check engine light came on (and I needed an oil change). They called today to say the light was on because it needs a software update. BUT, I am about 1500 miles away from needing a fuel filter ($95) an air filter ($30) and a rear axel differential check ($139.95). Do these prices sound reasonable?

dodgezilla04

no. do it yourself. fuel filter is $13, takes you 3 minutes to change.
air filter costs $19.95, takes you 3 minutes as well.
diff check for $140? what are they doing on the check? just needs to have fluid dumped, look for really shiny stuff, flakes, metal pieces, and refill.

tsualumni

Thanks! I told them to hold off on the service but wanted to verify.

dodgezilla04

you betcha.
on top of your fuel filter canister you'll see a large hex. you can use a crescent wrench, 1 1/8" socket(i think) or a 3/8" drive rachet to remove the lid. the filter is snapped into the lid. have a plastic bag or small bucket up there with you, limits the mess. drop all into bucket. drain filter with the water drain valve, close drain valve. with a lint free cloth, wipe out any material in the housing, dirt, algae, etc. swap old filter with new filter into cap. change the o ring on the cap, lube it with diesel. reinstall. do not overtighen, its plastic, and if on a stock lift pump, only sees 10psi max. turn on the key and let the pump run, you may want to do this a few times. start the truck, dont be nervous if it stalls or idles funny for a few seconds, gotta get fuel to the injection pump. check for leaks.

the air filter, the lid unsnaps. swap out the old. reset your filter minder.

haulin-rv

As far as the rear end, there is a drain on the bottom of the housing. No need to pull the cover. Refill with a quality synthetic lube and the fill spec is 1/4" below the fill plug. 20 min job, so after fluid the dealer is charging like $90 in labor...ouch, I would love to make $270 an hour!!

jrussell

There's a drain plug for the rear diff?!?!?

dodgezilla04

i've never seen mine. where is it?
well, there's one on my magtech cover, but not in the factory setup, only the fill plug

Rollin' Smoke

never seen a drain plug on mine either.......I think he has mistaken fill plug for a drain plug! no biggie!!!

haulin-rv

Ooops, wrong truck. I was under the impression the 11.5 axle was the same from gm to Dodge. Guess not, just looked no plug yet my 06 Dmax had one.

Hounddog

If you don't have the time/knowledge or just plain don't want too those prices are about average for "factory" parts and and the biggest overhead that business has.LABOR.

PourinDiesel

Do it all yourself.
If you dont know how just ask there are plenty here that can guide you through it all.

You will save a ton of money and gain knowledge at the same time.

TexasCTD

I agree with the others. Don't pay them those outrageous prices to do something you can easily do yourself.

You live in North Texas. Shoot, come by my house and I will help you do all that stuff. (I prefer Miller Light) Im no mechanic and not even mechanically inclined....but I learned enough on here to get by.

It's not hard, just take one step at a time and make sure you have the right parts/supplies on hand.

jwb600

you will learn to be your own mechanic trust me. ive learned alot by working on my own truck. I really dont trust to many ppl to work on it anyway

tsualumni

I'll have my husband work on it for me....that's what they're there for, isn't it??

rustyshakelford

usually their job is to make the money, cut the grass and hold the couch down during the astros game.

i think the dealers like to try to pull a fast one on women sometimes! and anyone else not wise to their little games!

glad you checked here before paying them $95 for a fuel filter...thats outrageous

(im assuming you are a women, but if your a boy and have a husband, sorry for the mistake...you must drive a mega)

brett