So I recently picked up a 2022 DDSRT with 32,000 miles. Since diff fluid changes are called for at 30,000 miles, I decided to do the service yesterday. Front change went fine. Pretty straight forward. Moved on to the back. Drained the old fluid, pumped in the new fluid until it dripped out the fill plug, then reinstalled the fill plug. Here's where the issue arose. When I went to reinstall the fill plug I noticed around the hole were the words "Do Not Open". I didn't see this initially and thought that was weird at the time as I did not see any other fill plug. Both the drain plug and the fill plug were allen head bolts. All others were torx or hex. This morning I decided to find a video on the procedure for changing the rear diff fluid in a DDSRT. It turns out the fill plug is on the side of the diff. I am obviously concerned that I may have a problem if the new fluid did not fill the ring gear housing. I don't know where else it could have went as the fill plug I used seemed to be the right height and it took about a 1.2 quarts, which is the amount called for. I plan to pull the correct fill plug today after work and adjust the fluid level from there. I have to think the height of the two plugs were relatively close but I drove the durango to work today and am worried I may have damaged the gears if the fluid did not make it into the differential. Can anyone shed some light on this possibility? Thanks.
REAR DIFF ISSUE?
Quiller303
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So I recently picked up a 2022 DDSRT with 32,000 miles. Since diff fluid changes are called for at 30,000 miles, I decided to do the service yesterday. Front change went fine. Pretty straight forward. Moved on to the back. Drained the old fluid, pumped in the new fluid until it dripped out the fill plug, then reinstalled the fill plug. Here's where the issue arose. When I went to reinstall the fill plug I noticed around the hole were the words "Do Not Open". I didn't see this initially and thought that was weird at the time as I did not see any other fill plug. Both the drain plug and the fill plug were allen head bolts. All others were torx or hex. This morning I decided to find a video on the procedure for changing the rear diff fluid in a DDSRT. It turns out the fill plug is on the side of the diff. I am obviously concerned that I may have a problem if the new fluid did not fill the ring gear housing. I don't know where else it could have went as the fill plug I used seemed to be the right height and it took about a 1.2 quarts, which is the amount called for. I plan to pull the correct fill plug today after work and adjust the fluid level from there. I have to think the height of the two plugs were relatively close but I drove the durango to work today and am worried I may have damaged the gears if the fluid did not make it into the differential. Can anyone shed some light on this possibility? Thanks.
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Did you take the ”fill” plug out first? If so and fluid dripped out and you filled it the same way and amount, you’re fine!
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So after work I pulled the correct fill plug on the side of the diff, which was slightly lower in elevation than the plug on the back of the diff. This resulted in some oil draining out until it was at the correct level. So it appears everything is good to go. I was happy to see the oil come out indicating that it was full and I didn't run it low or dry.
You need to be careful with this. There is a specific VOLUME of fluid that has to be in the differential.
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Understood. Thanks for the heads up.
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