Rear Differential fluid

I was told my rr diff needed changed. Now is this gear oil, or what? And can I change it myself easily? I sure dont wanna spend the 50 bucks to have a quick lube place do it.
Unfortunately I left my truck for 10 days with my bf who took it to a quick lube to have the oil changed and they're the ones told him RR needed changed.
Anyone?!
Thank you!!

And by the way, you guys are awesome! I love you don't treat me any different than you do any of the men on here!!
Thanks again!!

 

What the mileage on your truck? These places are good for telling people they need things when they really don't.

 

Change it and be done with it. Get your BF to pick up some Mobil one 75/90 and get’er done.

 

50$ is a pretty decent price for it, it's messy and stinky to change. You need a fluid pump, or something like this as well.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mechanic...-Pump-for-Gear-Oil-Lubricant-Fluids/310160638

 

I agree. That’s actually a pretty fair price.

Anyways, if you want to do it yourself, you need a 24mm socket. I recommend a 6 point socket.
If the drain plug has never been off it can be TIGHT.
The fill is thin on the head, so make sure the socket is on there straight.

 

If you DIY, remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug. As noted above, they can be tight.... and the last thing you want to do is drain the diff and then be unable to remove the fill plug.

The job can be done without a fluid pump. Put a short section of plastic tubing on the nipple on the cap, then down to the fill hole. There's enough room above the diff for a quart bottle of gear oil.

 

I used a fluid pump to add the new fluid to mine. Don't get the type the screw onto the bottle, they're flimsy.

 

The last time I changed mine, I bought (valvoline full synthetic) gear oil in a bag...I thought is was so much easier than a rigid plastic bottle. 1) Be sure to choose the right additives/modifiers for your gears (e.g., limited slip, locker, etc). 2) If you/your bf get into the mud with the truck, you may also want to make sure your axle breather vent(s) are not plugged up.

 

Yeah $50 was about how much I spent in fluid just to do it myself.

 

50 bucks is really a pretty good deal. It’s a really easy job but you will have probably 30 bucks or so just in the fluid then you will need a drain pan of some kind and have to borrow or buy the tools. Afterwards you will have to take the old stuff somewhere for disposal. Buy the end your not going to save yourself anything so I would probably just take it in and have it done.

 

Well, thank you everyone! Super appreciate all of you. Not sure which route to take yet, but I DO have all the necessary tools, and there is free recycle of the used fluid at parts stores around here.
Thanks again!!!

 

Oh if you have all the stuff go for it it’s super easy. Let us know how it goes.

 

What's the mileage since your last differential fluid change?
The price they are asking is pretty fair. But, what are they putting in the differential, and are you sure that they won't mess up the fill and drain plugs when they do it? They are easy to strip if someone is careless. Then they can be a nightmare to take out.
If you have the tools then maybe just do it yourself. Thst way you know the condition of the fluid coming out, and what fluid is going back in.

 

I have 251,786 miles on my truck.

 

How long have you owned it? What I really mean is do you know when the rear diff oil was last changed?

 

No, I do not. I've had it a couple years and have used the rr diff 2 times

 

Without info as to when the oil was changed, I would recommend doing it at your earliest convenience.
You say you have used the rr diff twice -- I assume that means you have a locking diff, and you have locked it twice?
If so, that's great because you don't need any special additives. Something like full synthetic Mobil-1

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 will do the trick. IIRC, it says it's approved for LSD but you can ignore that.