Rear Diff Fluid
Eternal ***erator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,270
Likes: 3
From: Niagara, New York
The manual gives you the fluid change interval, but it varies by use, i am pretty sure it is in with the regular maintenance/oil change regimen somewhere. Sorry for being vague, but I dont have my manual handy to check right now as it's in the bedroom and the better half is still sleeping, I'd rather not rattle her cage just yet. Trailer towing or other hard use requires shorter intervals, and if you submerge it and get water in there it shortens your interval to "right now"
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
The diff fluid is not covered under warranty, just like engine oil isn't covered under warranty. They charge $150 because I believe they actually remove the covers and do it right, and that takes a little more time (at the high hourly rate for a dealer). The maintenance schedule says every 15K miles, but if you off-road, especially in water and mud you'll want to do it more frequently, immediately if contaminated. You can do it the easy way though and just drain and re-fill.
When I did mine (@ 15K) it didn't look nearly as bad as some of the others have posted.
When I did mine (@ 15K) it didn't look nearly as bad as some of the others have posted.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Scott City, Missouri
CJK is that 1 quart for the front and 2 for the rear? I can't find the amount in my manual. Also does the Rubicon use an additive in the diff? I am in the process of changing mine today.
Howdy
Howdy
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
Not sure if it was qts or pts but yes, 2 for rear, 1 for front, and dealer did use additive in both D44's on my Rubicon. I think I had the part numbers wrong - try cross referencing these: 4874469 for the lube and 4318060-AB for the additive.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Guam - PCSing to McGuire AFB, NJ in July '09
Why would a front D44 require less than a rear D44? I just changed the diff fluid in my KJ a few weeks ago and the front took less, but I assumed that was 'cause the rear was an 8.25 and the front a D30a.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
Surprised me too but apparently the internal volumn of a rear D44 is greater than the front on these new generation axles. Guess I just have to trust the dealer until I do the next change myself!
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
I believe it is because the oil in the rear diff also lubes the bearings on the wheel end of the axle. There has to be enough to partially fill the axle tubes.