Change your differential fluid after first 500 miles

[PTP]

I got a new differential under warranty and followed break in procedures found online. Did about 20 miles at a time then let it cool for the first 4 drives. Never went full throttle during these first 500 miles.

I changed the fluid last night and found quite a bit of metallic debris in the drain pan. Some visible flakes were present but mostly micro bits as I stirred the fluid around. Looked like black and silver Rheoscopic fluid. Now someone who is a qualified mechanic can tell me I'm wrong, but it seems worth the effort after looking at the used gear oil. I wonder if this is why some differentials are failing after thousands of miles? Doesn't seem like Dodge stresses to change the fluid early on.

FYI the drive shaft currently has very little play. After wiggling it around it looks to be about 1/16th an inch or less.

The transmission fluid got changed as well. It had 6500 miles on it and also looked rather shiny.

[bluesrt]

are you tracking the car or joy rideing?

[Martin]

I change all the gear-related fluids after 500 miles for that very reason. It's cheap insurance as all gears that make contact will shed some material - especially when new and breaking in.

[PTP]

are you tracking the car or joy rideing?

Joy riding so far.

[donk_316]

They found the same in my rear diff and replaced it under warranty...

[Stealth]

My '14 GTS has 7,800 mi. on it and the differential fluid has been changed twice: once at 3,500 mi. or so (also changed oil, tranny fluid and brake and clutch fluid); and once at 7,500 mi. (also changed oil and brake and clutch fluid). There have also been another 2 oil and filter changes--once at 800 mi. and once for the R28 Recall.

After seeing the posts on this issue, I specifically asked the Service writer and the Viper Tech to check the differential fluid and drive shaft play to see of the differential need to be replaced under warranty. While I do not notice any whine, I do have a little neutral coast-down sound. The Viper Tech said all was good, no metal shavings, no inappropriate noises, no drive train slop, etc.

So changing fluids is definitely a good idea, but it is hard to tell why some cars have differential and other issues, while others do not. Glad your car was fixed under warranty OP.

[Dman]

Yea, sooo, is there anything on the gen5 that doesn't seem to have debris in it at this point? I mean for serious.


Good point though, I've done this on my last two vipers, at 500-600 miles, just a total fluid change, if there's fluid in it, it got emptied, from diff, to brakes, to trans, to oil ... and upgraded where appropriate, like brake fluid. Wasteful to some, but peace of mind IMO, and prudent to say the least, apparently, with the gen5. Although, my '13 drained amazingly clean all around, so who knows.