Change Differential Fluid?

[surfride]

On my 05 w20, I believe I have a Dana 130. My rig just hit 16k miles and I am wondering if I should change the differential fluid? Can this be done via the drain plug or will I need to pull the cover? Are there any additives needed, like for limited slip?

Thanks.

[surfride]

On my 05 w20, I believe I have a Dana 130. My rig just hit 16k miles and I am wondering if I should change the differential fluid? Can this be done via the drain plug or will I need to pull the cover? Are there any additives needed, like for limited slip?

Thanks.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by surfride:
I am wondering if I should change the differential fluid? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Please do not concern yourself with that task because the differential fluid is synthetic and should last the normal service life of your motorhome.

Unless there seems to be a contaminant in the fluid there is certainly no need to change it especially at 16,000 miles.

Thanks for the question and I hope that I have dispelled your concern about your differential fluid.

[surfride]

Thank you for the response. Can you comment on the trans filter interval? I did the first at 5k as recommended, not sure about a regular schedule.

I noticed yesterday my u-joints are spinning grease out of them onto the underside of the coach, not allot be there is grease there. Is this OK or an indication I am using too much grease when I lube them? Is every 3k too frequent to lube the chassis, do you recommend a longer service frequency; perhaps every other oil change?

Thanks again.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by surfride:
Can you comment on the trans filter interval? I did the first at 5k as recommended, not sure about a regular schedule. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The regular service interval is 25,000 miles thereafter using Dextron III. The service interval for transmissions equipped with Transynd is 4 years or 100,000 miles.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I noticed yesterday my u-joints are spinning grease out of them onto the underside of the coach, not allot be there is grease there. Is this OK or an indication I am using too much grease when I lube them? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>If you lube your universals until you see a wee bit of grease or an expulsion of air in the vicinity of the U-joint (spitting) that is usually an indication that there's enough grease and to stop. Now don't pay too much attention to the splatter because the most careful mechanic can not assure that grease won't spin out of the U-joints given the centrifugal velocity of the joint.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Is every 3k too frequent to lube the chassis, do you recommend a longer service frequency; perhaps every other oil change? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The recommended service interval for chassis lubrication is every 3 months or 3,000 miles.

[surfride]

Fantastic, thank you very much for the advice.

[FDchief]

Driver, I have the 03 W20. Have they always used the synthetic gear lube in the rear differential? Or is it time to change the dino lube?

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FDchief:
Driver, I have the 03 W20. Have they always used the synthetic gear lube in the rear differential? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Chief, They used synthetic differental lube in 2003 so your differental should also be filled with synthetic. Changing now to a dino based gear lube would not be a good idea. Stay with the synthetic and there's no need to think about changing the fluid.

SFRD L786 Station 3 T-3
Stamford, CT (Ret)

[Scooter]

Just for the heck of it, you might open the inspection plug and see what is the level.

I found my axle fluid was about 1/2 full, or empty, depending on your outlook on life.

Came this way from the factory and the dealer did not inspect, either. It was driven from the factory to CA in this condition.

I don't think any damage was done, no noise. I did write WH and WI to let them know what I found.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Scooter:
Just for the heck of it, you might open the inspection plug and see what is the level. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> An excellent suggestion. Sometimes we also have seen where there was too much fluid in the differential and removing the drain plug on a level surface will allow the fluid to seek its own level in the banjo.