Why is it so expensive to get my Diff oil changed?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
JK Junkie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,191
Likes: 6
From: Boston, MA
Some activities have bigger margins than others. Changing diff oil happens to be high margin.
Still, it does seem like a screw job......
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 472
Likes: 2
From: nanaimo, bc, canada
I just changed mine for the first time with about 30,000 km on the jeep, I do all the servicing myself and keep all my bills for everything and write the km down and sign it, my dealer has never asked me anything about any servicing but they also know I work at the Nissan dealer down the road, my front diff fluid looked like new still with a bit of a metal tinge to it and the rear diff fluid was like silver, but it's normal for brake in, I have open diffs front and rear and I just use bulk penzoil gear oil, cheep cheep cheep, I am going to change it more often though 
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Arvada, CO
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?
Here are pics of my air filter 3,000 miles after I paid for a full checkup, oil change, and diffs on my WK:
[IMG]
The only think worse than paying absurd prices, is paying absurd prices and having them not do the work. Probable they would just drain and fill.
Not all dealers are like that, but the ones charging someone $300 for a drain and fill probably are.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Barrie, Ontario
Got quoted at $400 for taking off the covers and changing the fluid from my local stealership. Went to the AP store and did both diffs plus my t-case myself for $60. Use Lucas in the Diffs and Amsoil in the T-case. Felt real good
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
I have always done it myself. The dealership provides lifetime oil changes. They kept pushing the diff fluid change and how they had to do it to support the warrenty. Wanted over $300 to do it. After the third time, I got to the point were the free oil change was not worth the high pressure sales push!!! Have not been back since.
