Why is it so expensive to get my Diff oil changed?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Greeneville, tn
I dropped the Jeep off for it's warranty preserving checkup. I inquired about what it would cost to have my differential fluid changed. I was quoted ~$300 for the front and rear. I can't help but think they are trying to !@#$% me over 
I said no thank you and will just beg one of my friends to let me use their drive way. I wish I could work on the Jeep in the parking garage of my apartment. I know how to change diff oil and can't for the life of me understand why they are charging so much. I'm going to be taking it the hour to my old shop until me and the wife get a house.
I said no thank you and will just beg one of my friends to let me use their drive way. I wish I could work on the Jeep in the parking garage of my apartment. I know how to change diff oil and can't for the life of me understand why they are charging so much. I'm going to be taking it the hour to my old shop until me and the wife get a house.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Fishersville, VA
Actually royal purple is garbage.
They"re a marketing company, not an oil company.
I work for an oil company....I pick our chemists and engineers brains any chance I get....you're better off using something else.
Royal purple makes their formulation to pass one specific test....then makes claims on those results.
Ever notice they advertise in all the right places.
Buy any other brand...it's probably better and you'll at least get what you pay for.
I'm not gonna say ours is the best...just that RP is a scam.
They"re a marketing company, not an oil company.
I work for an oil company....I pick our chemists and engineers brains any chance I get....you're better off using something else.
Royal purple makes their formulation to pass one specific test....then makes claims on those results.
Ever notice they advertise in all the right places.
Buy any other brand...it's probably better and you'll at least get what you pay for.
I'm not gonna say ours is the best...just that RP is a scam.
I use mobil 1 for everything and never have any problems.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by Bernigoober
I dropped the Jeep off for it's warranty preserving checkup. I inquired about what it would cost to have my differential fluid changed. I was quoted ~$300 for the front and rear. I can't help but think they are trying to !@#$% me over I said no thank you and will just beg one of my friends to let me use their drive way. I wish I could work on the Jeep in the parking garage of my apartment. I know how to change diff oil and can't for the life of me understand why they are charging so much. I'm going to be taking it the hour to my old shop until me and the wife get a house.
I said no thank you and will just beg one of my friends to let me use their drive way. I wish I could work on the Jeep in the parking garage of my apartment. I know how to change diff oil and can't for the life of me understand why they are charging so much. I'm going to be taking it the hour to my old shop until me and the wife get a house.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by 12xu
Most of the top brands are decent, if you have a favorite brand...I probably won't convince you that one oil is better than another....and most will pass standard tests.
My point was...RP is not a premium product, yet they charge like it.
It's company policy that I don't speak about work...this is already more than I should let on. ....not that it's a big deal or anything..it's just what we do.
When you talk to the oil engineers and the guys who work in testing...they'll level with you and tell what's bs and who actually makes a good product.
My point was...RP is not a premium product, yet they charge like it.
It's company policy that I don't speak about work...this is already more than I should let on. ....not that it's a big deal or anything..it's just what we do.
When you talk to the oil engineers and the guys who work in testing...they'll level with you and tell what's bs and who actually makes a good product.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: Valencia, CA
The price they charge is not based on only changing the fluid. It involves taking the covers off, inspecting the gears, putting them back together, and filling with new oil. Even with this extra work should it cost that much?? I wouldn’t think so.
I drained and refilled mine at 15K miles and the rear dif. fluid was jet black. I figured that it was “cheap” oil from the factory so I didn’t think much of it and replaced it with synthetic.
I am now at 33K miles and upon inspection the synthetic oil now is also very black. I am probably going to pay the $$ to have them service it this time in case there is something going on inside the dif. that I need to know about before I hit the 36K mark.
The problem is that how can I guarantee that they are going to do a thorough inspection and not just swap the oil?
I drained and refilled mine at 15K miles and the rear dif. fluid was jet black. I figured that it was “cheap” oil from the factory so I didn’t think much of it and replaced it with synthetic.
I am now at 33K miles and upon inspection the synthetic oil now is also very black. I am probably going to pay the $$ to have them service it this time in case there is something going on inside the dif. that I need to know about before I hit the 36K mark.
The problem is that how can I guarantee that they are going to do a thorough inspection and not just swap the oil?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
An interesting note, Valvoline 75w140 is only GL-5.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,818
Likes: 3
From: Folsom, CA
ME TOO!!!
If you run ARB diff covers you won't have to remove them to drain them each time. Then changes are a snap!
If you're pressed for cash you can go to your local high school auto shop, provide the fluid and RTV and they will do it for a $20 donation, or some pizza for the class!
