Question:

>I usually use the severe duty service intervals as a guide (even though I >do no use my truck in ’severe duty’). >Differential fluid is in there for life unless you submerge the axle , or >if you open it up for other service .

Right.  I wondered if opening it up to change fluids at only 17,000 would have a greater risk of harm than replacing fluids would have to do good. >Be Careful !!!  There are lots of rip-off artists out there .

I didn’t take the service and kept my $$$. Thanks, all, for the advice. "It is difficult to distinguish where the feminine ends and nature begins."  - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Response:

MAtt

Response:

>Hello, all. >My local Pit Stop oil-change-while-U-wait place said I needed my differentials >and transfer case fluid changed.  I have 17,000 miles on my 1997 Explorer. I >did have thea dealer change the transmission fluid at 15,000 miles. >Do I need the differential and transfer case fluid changed, or is Pit Stop >looking for $$$$?

rivers. J.Freitag

Response:

also, the front differential is very time consuming to drain and change, thus very $$$$.   Check your owners manual for proper maintenance interval… then ignore anything the quick lube places tell you.   Also, my Ford dealer is mailing postcards announcing "time for routine maintenance" which suggests much shorter intervals than the manual.  Ignore these also.  They want your $$$.

Response:

What does the owner’s manual say ? I usually use the severe duty service intervals as a guide (even though I do no use my truck in ’severe duty’). Differential fluid is in there for life unless you submerge the axle , or if you open it up for other service . Be Careful !!!  There are lots of rip-off artists out there . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, all. > My local Pit Stop oil-change-while-U-wait place said I needed my differentials > and transfer case fluid changed.  I have 17,000 miles on my 1997 Explorer.  I > did have thea dealer change the transmission fluid at 15,000 miles. > Do I need the differential and transfer case fluid changed, or is Pit Stop > looking for $$$$? > "It is difficult to distinguish where the feminine ends and nature begins." >  - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Response:

> Hello, all. > My local Pit Stop oil-change-while-U-wait place said I needed my differentials > and transfer case fluid changed.  I have 17,000 miles on my 1997 Explorer.  I > did have thea dealer change the transmission fluid at 15,000 miles. > Do I need the differential and transfer case fluid changed, or is Pit Stop > looking for $$$$? > "It is difficult to distinguish where the feminine ends and nature begins." >  - Antonio Carlos Jobim

—  Unless you’ve submerged the axles under water or use the vehicle under extreme conditions, the gear lube used in these components is designed to last the life of the vehicle. The lube monkeys are trolling for dollars in this case…at this mileage interval.  In my opinion should it be changed? If your going to keep the vehicle for a long time frame it wouldn’t be a bad idea to drop the stinky lube about every 40-60K miles. This is assuming that the truck is used for mostly on-road use, does only occational towing, and does not see situations where water may be entering through the axle tube vents. One other situation where I’d consider dropping the whale juice early is if the vehicle has seen extended high speed time in a high temperature situation or while pulling a heavy load…ie, pulling a loaded camper or boat through the Nevada Desert at 85+MPH once or twice per year. -Mike.

Response:

Hello, all. My local Pit Stop oil-change-while-U-wait place said I needed my differentials and transfer case fluid changed.  I have 17,000 miles on my 1997 Explorer.  I did have thea dealer change the transmission fluid at 15,000 miles. Do I need the differential and transfer case fluid changed, or is Pit Stop looking for $$$$? "It is difficult to distinguish where the feminine ends and nature begins."  - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Response: