dealership maintenance prices

[glennco1]

2004 JGC 4.7L Quadra Trac II

After my last oil change my dealer stated that my service schedule had a diff fluid change at the 15,000 mile change. He then stated this service would be $90 for standard fluid and $145 for synthetic.

Is this really the going price for a diff change these days? Is it really necessary at 15k if I don't have quadra drive?

I suspect they're trying to put one over on me with this price. I mean a diff change is easier for a dealer than an oil change.

[JDPascal]

Lets see...... 4 qts of gear oil, some additive and some labor.......

The standard fluid is likely about $6 a quart from a regular jobber. 75w140 synthetic is a little more and harder to find so they are quoting you the retail mopar parts price.

Why don't you call the dealer parts department and ask the price of the 75w140 oil and also the limited slip additive..


How much is a quart of Mobil1 75w90 around where you live??? Around here it is about $12. If you don't have the Vari-lock diffs you might use that but check your owners manual or service manual.

The difference here is that the varilock diffs require a 75w140 GL5 gear oil. The 75w140 syn will be a little higher price but you can find it with a little searching. Since you need about 4pts each, front and rear you'll need 4 qts if my math is right. Better get 5 to be sure... Also see if you need the limited slip additive.... 4oz is all I put in the rear But follow the jeep recommenations.

I believe that the synthetic is worth the difference in price tho maybe not what the dealer is asking......

So at around 55 for syn oil and 10 for additive, thats 80 for labor.

30 for reg oil, 10 for additive thats 50 for labor (not sure how labor wold be different from one to the other so the difference must be greater in what they are asking for the oil).

.................................................. ..................

If you can handle a can of RTV silicone and a wrench, you can do this yourself...... Make sure you use vehicle stands on a solid surface and block the opposite wheels.

remove all the bolts from the diff cover except the top one - leave it loose. With the drain pan under the diff, loosen the cover and drain the oil. remove the cover and clean it and the housing, making sure to clean remaining amounts of oil from the bottom of the housing....

Clean the silicone sealer from the cover and housing surfaces with a scraper and leave them oil free (I use brakeclean). Place a 1/8" bead of RTV silicone around the cover or the housing winding inside of the bolts holes.

I use 2 longer bolts the same thread size with the heads cut off to align and hold the cover in place while I install the regular bolts and tags back in their original spots..

Tighten them snug - 15ftlb if you have a torque wrench.....now to fill. I bought a pump for filling a lower unit of a outboard motor.. works great for this and other fluid transfers on vehicles.. cost about $12.

Looks like this. http://www.allsyntheticsgroup.com/hand-pump.html

or this

http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi...t_id=403664650

and this ain't a bad deal either even if you don't own a boat - http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi...t_id=403664650

I've seen them at wally world or you could go to a marine dealer. Works great.

If you don't want to do it yourself - check around for private shops and what they want..

JD

[JeepForever]

I changed my dif fluid at around 50,000 miles. The maintenance schedule recommends 30,000. I changed the rear fluid and it was gross - smelled septic and looked like tar. The front fluid was as clean as new (I have part-time 4WD).
It's a bit more work changing the fluid (to do it right) since the differential covers need to be unbolted, drained, new gaskets, and re-assembled. A cheaper job would be to suction the fluid out of the fill-hole, but you won't get all the fluid. I think I paid about $10-15 for the fluid (non-synthetic). It probably took me an hour, which is where they're getting the $90. I don't think it's necessary at 15,000 miles, unless you do frequently pull a really heavy trailer in rough conditions.

[glennco1]

So should I assume I have a limited slip rear if I have the D-44 axle?

Thanks for the help so far guys.