PCarnathan

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm wanting to change the fluid in the front and rear differentials. Where the heck's the drain? The fill's easy enough to find, but I can't figure out how to drain the old fluid out. The Daimler/Chrysler manual says absolutely NOTHING about doing this, just pages and pages of shimming and gear lash issues.

Draining the Manual Transmission required removal of the bottom PTO Cover bolt, so I tried removing one of the bottom Differential Cover bolts hoping that would drain the fluid, to no avail.

Help!

Thanks in advance...

Pat

cheff

You have to pull the cover. Use a big pan, loosen all the bolts then open at the bottom to drain. Then remove the cover, make sure all looks ok. Use a new gasket and reverse the process.

PCarnathan

Thanks for the advice. I was afraid that was probably the case. Do the boys at Dodge have some problem with installing a freakin' drain plug? Argh.

Sounds like a project for another evening. Now I have to swing by the dealer and buy a couple of gaskets.

Thanks again,

Pat

RamDan03

Unless the gasket is trashed, you should be able to reuse it without any issues.

triplenickel

The gasket is reuseable, it's a nice piece. I have heard of some guys breaking off bolts, so if you are ham fisted use a torque wrench.

Jmac

PC, fill out your signature at the bottom with more specific info on your truck so we know how to help you better.

PCarnathan

Thanks for the advice. I think it'd probably be best to go ahead and at least have the new gaskets in stock. I'd hate to pull the diff covers off and THEN find out I need new gaskets!

I updated my sig line with details on my truck. Thanks for the tip.

Pat

Lightman

Pcarnathan - when you see the reusable gasket, you'll realize why we're saying you don't need to get a new one. They are great, and I don't see needing to replace it anytime soon.

cheff

Bingo, I never had to replace the ones on my '02, but I always had an extra pair just in case. They are awsome gaskets, but I rather be safe then sorry

JHardwick

I did this on my '79 Ford that I off roaded pretty much weekly. I drilled and tapped a 1/4"NPT in the bottom of the Dana 60's, and added a socket head pipe plug that set flush to just recessed.

Worked very well.

PCarnathan

Actually, I dig the idea of installing my own drain plug(s). However, that sounds like something I ought to do after the warranty is gone.

On second thought, pulling the cover off the differential will give me the opportunity to sand blast the covers and repaint them. For some reason I'm getting a lot of surface rust down underneath the truck. I live in Southern California, so road salt shouldn't be an issue. Of course, we've had a great deal of rain lately but I wouldn't think that would be cause this sort of thing.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I appreciate everyone's ideas on this little problem. And the response time! I asked the question, and I had my first answer less than a half-hour later.

Cool stuff.

Pat

davelinde

Here's another way to drain easier and keep it cooler

cover

PCarnathan

Balboa Dodge here in San Diego told me there are no gaskets - just RTV. Worthington Dodge in Carlsbad sold me the rear one and is ordering me the front one. Sheesh.

cga97

I noticed in my maintenance book that Sched A does not list changing the fluid at 15k, but Sched B does?!?! In fact, there is no mention of changing the fluid at all by Sched A.