Gear lube swap?

[demarpaint]

You guys with differentials that have drain plugs and the cover is very easily accessed for removal. Do you pull the cover on the first gear oil change and do a little cleaning inside, or just pull the plug and refill it? There are pros and cons to both ways, just wondering.

I had this discussion the other day with a friend who is a car buff and we both made a good case for either way.

 

[Gebo]

I just remove the drain plug. Since I use Amsoil Severe Gear and change it every 50K I never have to worry about cleaning as it not only cleans the insides but it magically causes any contaminates to dissolve and vaporize.

 

[Gebo]

demarpaint, we only have one more bathroom to remove wallpaper......

FYI

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Gebo
demarpaint, we only have one more bathroom to remove wallpaper......

FYI


Thank goodness for that!

 

[supton]

If it's changed on a regular basis, why clean? I'd think a shot of brake cleaner / whatever would only be needed if you had water in there, or if it was really nasty otherwise.

 

[zeng]

Drain and fill, is more than adequate.

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for backing me up. My side of the discussion was if the cover isn't leaking why mess with it? He said you want to see what's going in inside and clean it. Valid point. Then I stated what about the front differentials on some vehicles, pulling the cover would be a real chore, wouldn't you want to see in there too? There wasn't much of a rebuttal on that.

Keep them coming!

 

[mx5miata]

If I was day one owner, I wouldn't pull the diff cover unless 4 out of 5 of my senses told me too.

If you don't hear,see, smell, feel any problems just drain and refill.

 

[barkingspider]

I would drain and fill only

 

[hatt]

I would think pulling the cover would increase the chances of contamination. Mine do not have a drain plug so it's not an option. I bought some lube locker gaskets to make the job easier next time.

 

[Hootbro]

My habit if I take a differential to it's first scheduled gear oil change at let's say 30K miles, I take the cover off as there is usually still a slurry residue of metallic debris at the bottom that fails to get caught by the magnetic drain plug and did not flush out with the drain. After that first time, I do not worry about it going forward and just do scheduled drain/fills.

 

[Dyusik]

I just drain and fill. Most diffs never see a service and never have issues.

 

[BrianF]

The only time I pulled a cover was to inspect the gear set. Was towing very heavy so I wanted a look as I intended to keep the truck long term (never happened). In hind sight I would not do it again. Took piles of time to clean and re-seal with RTV.

Just look at the fluid and what ends up on the magnet and call it a day.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
You guys with differentials that have drain plugs and the cover is very easily accessed for removal. Do you pull the cover on the first gear oil change and do a little cleaning inside, or just pull the plug and refill it? There are pros and cons to both ways, just wondering.

I had this discussion the other day with a friend who is a car buff and we both made a good case for either way.


Just pull the plug, drain, refill. That's what its there for. I wouldn't pull the cover to "do a little cleaning" unless the diff had been submerged and neglected.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
My habit if I take a differential to it's first scheduled gear oil change at let's say 30K miles, I take the cover off as there is usually still a slurry residue of metallic debris at the bottom that fails to get caught by the magnetic drain plug and did not flush out with the drain. After that first time, I do not worry about it going forward and just do scheduled drain/fills.

That was his case. I prefer easy if there isn't a problem, but his and your points are valid.