Community Forums

pete5016 · 01-20-2020, 12:42 PM

I have a 2008 42QRP with a Tag that I bought about 2 years ago. I was attending the Spartan seminar at the Tampa RV Show, and "Big Mike" told us that we needed to change the Gear Lube in each axle every year. The non drive axles don't take alot, but the drive axle is like 21 pints.

So, DP Owner's Question - How often do you change the gear lube in your axles? Do you have a different cycle for the non-drive axles?

Do you do this yourself or take it to a shop? THANKS!

Tigerfan1 · 01-20-2020, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete5016

I have a 2008 42QRP with a Tag that I bought about 2 years ago. I was attending the Spartan seminar at the Tampa RV Show, and "Big Mike" told us that we needed to change the Gear Lube in each axle every year. The non drive axles don't take alot, but the drive axle is like 21 pints.

So, DP Owner's Question - How often do you change the gear lube in your axles? Do you have a different cycle for the non-drive axles?

Do you do this yourself or take it to a shop? THANKS!

I changed mine. Dirty job. Not hard to do. It would be easier to do when it is warm out so the heavy gear oil will flow better. I won’t be changing every year. Sounds like overkill and the manufacturer looking for an excuse to deny a warranty claim. I might do a fluid analysis and change based on the results.

Pigman1 · 01-20-2020, 07:10 PM

I don't know what hubs and rear ends Spartan is using, but I've found Tiffin has a lot of strange change intervals for their axle and hub lubes, and when I questioned them for my 2008 and 2013 Buses, I got inconsistent info. I ended up going under my bus, copying the data plate info for make and model and looking it up in the manufacturer's posted information on line. For example, my current Dana Spicer rear shows changes between 60,000 miles and 1 year and 500,000 miles and 5 years depending on use and lube used. From the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Skiddy · 01-20-2020, 07:25 PM

just one silly question? how often do you change out the differential fluid on the daily drivers

lwmcguire · 01-20-2020, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiddy

just one silly question? how often do you change out the differential fluid on the daily drivers

You already know, very likely never

Jzack · 01-20-2020, 08:26 PM

If you suspect it's the original fluid, I'd drain and fill with a good synthetic and then forget about it. I own a 1994 Mack with 1,250,000 miles that I drained once around year 2000, filled with synthetic and haven't touched it since. As long as it doesn't get contaminated it should last forever. For example, the Dana 44s on my Dodge Ram are sealed for life, no service intervals.

pete5016 · 01-21-2020, 07:50 AM

Thanks for the feedback....replacing the fluid yearly appears to be an extreme overkill. I will plan on a 3 - 4 year cycle.

jacwjames · 01-21-2020, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jzack

If you suspect it's the original fluid, I'd drain and fill with a good synthetic and then forget about it.

This is what I did about 5 years ago. I did not see any significant amounts of metal in the old oil indicating abnormal wear. I should never have to do it again.