well im not saying i don't want to break them in im going to take it easy im just concerned about the long trip in july. i don't know if im going to drive the jeep 500 miles before july 18th. and i just wanted some solid advice about what to do before the trip to ensure i won't have a problem being so far from home.

 

I wasn't saying the op shouldn't break em in. Just lookin for the answers. Me, I drove mine like I stole it.

 

I had a similar issue with a trip interfering with the break in period. I eventually had to just drive 20 miles out somewhere, wait for 90 minutes or so and drive back everyday for a while. It felt like a lot of wasted time but I had the long trip and I didn't want to get them that hot for that long.

 

Proper break-in will not cause damage.
Not breaking them in may cause damage.

Given those two choices, why would one not perform a proper break-in?

 

So, changing the oil after 500 miles is pretty standard?

 

MK Jeep, Here is the answer to you statement....
When you purchase a NEW car, (i.e. Jeep, they contract for axles that have been tested and PRE-broken in) This means that the gears have already been tested and broken-in prior to the sale of the vehicle. This is known as LAPPING to match the parts. Then the manufactures flushes out the fluid to remove all the metal powder that mixes with the gear oils.
Don't believe that the aftermarket gears are SOFTER......
When you buy aftermarket gears, this break-in process HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED and that is why the installing and break-in period is SO IMPORTANT. Yes you want to heat up the gears, let them cool down and repeat this 4-5 times. This allows the hot gears to expand and contract when cooling and properly mesh together for trouble free years of enjoyment.
I just had my gear oils changed today after 500 miles and you could clearly see the black power like streaks in the oil when you put it on your fingers. I am glad you asked as I found this very interesting. Hope this helps...

 

I have now seen the light, finally a complete answer. Thanks!

Now I don't know what to do with my life the riddle has been solved. I knew if I kept it up though someone had to know and not just say because your supposed to.

 

lmao. MK, don;t go jump off a bridge because no more mysteries exist in your life. Only reason I ever break mine in is because that is what I have always been told to do. I always run Dino oil for the first 500 doing the whole short trip cool down stuff, then switch to sythetic and rolling how I want. Worked so far. I have no reason for what I do, just what I have done in the past.

 

Older post revisited. The shop that installed my 5.13s only works on Jeeps. They filled my diffs with royal purple and said to take it easy for the first 500, but also said there is no need to inspect at 500 (agreed that there are lots of opinions on this, but that was his stance). This shop is maned by Chrysler techs that mod jeeps in the evenings/Saturdays.

 

Here's a shot of a magnetic drain plug and 600 miles of normal wear on a new set of gears. (stupidface's JK) If you want that floating around in your differential, don't change your gear oil.