Diff oil amounts

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Thanks for the comments - I will give the Penrite a go.

Ean - I would have thought that with its small 600ml capacity, synthetic would have been perfect for the front diff. So why do you think normal mineral oil is better?

Cheers

Garry

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Gday Garry

I looked at all the service intervals on the D3 and realised that to my simple view on maintenance they are far to long for my liking. I have cut all my service's down . It's a personal thing and it's been done to death about what are the correct intervals etc etc.

i do all my basic services at 10,000ks including diffs , gearbox between 50 - 70,000 depending on towing and transfer case @ 50,000.

thats just me , plenty have different views which is fine .

cheers Ean

Hi Ean - I agree - what opened my eyes was when I checked the front diff oil for the first time at about 72,000km and found the oil black with a lot of swarf - admittedly this would have been from the running process when new but there is no way the diff would have survived to its first due service at 240,000km. The rear diff was better but still had a bit of crud in it. In my view these oils should be changed at the first post delievery service.

Since that first check at 72,000km I did them again at 84,000km and while cleaner there was still a bit of stuff in there - probably left over from the the first service. At 96,000km both were pretty clear showing that things were actually OK in there so I have now extended the change interval for both to 24,000km - they are easy to do. The front diff only has the 600 odd mls so works hard and even the rear where it takes most of the drive when on the road works pretty hard.

I can see your intervals working pretty well but I think I would still be putting in synthetic in the front diff - the difference in price between 600ml of mineral oil vs 600ml of synthetic is minimal.

I just wonder how many front diffs get to the first recommended service interval if they have never had the oil changed - given the status of mine and the amount of fine metal material in it at 72,000km I doubt few do.

Now I gotta go out and do mine - ran out of time yesterday due to issues changing the fuel filter.

Cheers

Garry

Mine was first changed at 200,000km and the fluid didn't smell and didn't have any particulate to note. Since replaced and will replace every 50k km from here. No reason to believe it's suffered from it.

Just did mine - rear the oil is crystal clear (oh the 1.1l is to the fill hole so no need to measure) and virtually nothing on the magnet pick up. Front was a little milky (not water milky) and magnetic pickup was OK. So for me 24,000km interval for the front is about it - I might change the rear to 48,000km based on what I have seen.

Garry

I'm starting to fit front and rear diffs to d3s now... DON'T leave your diff oils too long. I'd do them and ESPECIALLY the transfer at 50k max. Oils are cheap.

Jc

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Originally Posted by justinc

I'm starting to fit front and rear diffs to d3s now... DON'T leave your diff oils too long.
I'd do them and ESPECIALLY the transfer at 50k max. Oils are cheap.

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Only just read this .... I'm at 76,000 and just about to get the 3 year service done at the dealer.
So I'm already over Justin's 50k recommendation. For the TC, what's the concern/experience & should I be worried?

Cheers,
Scott

Don't worry too overely if long miles and little towing... 75k is still ok. I shouldve added the 50k inyerval is mostly for city and towing etc. I've seen these yransfer case oils at 90k and they are black as engine oil...😐

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Originally Posted by justinc

Don't worry too overely if long miles and little towing... 75k is still ok. I shouldve added the 50k inyerval is mostly for city and towing etc. I've seen these yransfer case oils at 90k and they are black as engine oil...😐

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Hi Justin.

Is this a mileage issue or does time come into it too?

3.8 years and only 25k of short city driving.

Martin

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Originally Posted by justinc

Don't worry too overely if long miles and little towing... 75k is still ok. I shouldve added the 50k inyerval is mostly for city and towing etc. I've seen these yransfer case oils at 90k and they are black as engine oil...😐

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Some towing of 1.7t camper trailer, maybe 15k total
Some long trips, maybe 10k total
Rest in city driving

So I think I'll get all three (diffs + TC) changed at service.

Thanks,
Scott

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Originally Posted by letherm

Hi Justin.

Is this a mileage issue or does time come into it too?

3.8 years and only 25k of short city driving.

Martin

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Martin i would certainly check your front differential for condensation if your vehicle is prior to 09. The breathers were redesigned due to problems with condensation and rust forming inside the housing