Before you move on, you want to make sure that there are no leaks in the housing. If the fluid still looks new, there’s no reason to change it prematurely. You want to see if it’s contaminated or needs to be topped off. Before you get started, it’s best to check the fluid. Here are the traditional steps, although they can differ depending on your vehicle. That’s why it’s a common task done at home by the novice mechanic. The differential fluid change is simple to perform on most vehicles. RELATED: Rear Differential Noises: Diagnosis, Prevention (& Repair Costs) How is a Differential Fluid Change Performed? You can get this information from your service manual. Most systems are going to require a gallon or less during a change. Each axle holds a differing amount of gear oil. In addition, you need to consider how much differential oil is needed. The rear might take one gallon of 75Wx140, while the front only needs a ½ gallon of 80Wx90. You may need a different type of oil for each differential, so pay close attention. Additionally, there are varying properties and consistency you pay for. If you choose synthetic oil, it is going to cost you more. Amount of Gear Oil Neededĭifferential oil varies in price just like motor oil does. READ MORE: Mechanic Labor Rates Per Hour 3. If you have the equipment and expertise to change the differential fluid, you could save some cash. The cheapest labor is that which you do on your own. However, you get what you pay for, with less experienced technicians working on your vehicle when you don’t visit a shop with certified techs. On top of that, taking your vehicle to the local lube station is going to cost you less than if you visit the dealership. Additionally, the labor rate in the country is usually much lower than those in the city. Some parts of the country have lower labor rates than others. Location/Labor Rateĭepending on where you live, the labor rate is going to be quite different. Limited Slip Differentials (What’s the Difference?) 2. If you have to get around the car’s steering rack, you will pay more for labor. These parts can be more difficult to access because of how many more components are in the area. In some car models, you will also find a type of middle differential that needs fluid changes.Īdditionally, changing the fluid in the front can be more labor-intensive than in the rear. If you only need to change the fluid in one differential, your cost is going to be much lower than a comparable car with two differentials – one in the front, and another in the rear. Some vehicles contain a single differential in the back of the vehicle. Factors Affecting Differential Fluid Change Cost 1. If you are driving a four- or all-wheel-drive vehicle, the cost might be double what I’ve estimated here. These estimates relate to changing the fluid in one differential only. The rest of the charge would be for the labor, unless you can do the job yourself. On average, you might spend between $75 and $175 to have the differential fluid changed, with about $25 to $75 of this for the fluid itself. It doesn’t cost a lot to change the differential fluid. RELATED: 5 Symptoms of a Bad Differential (Repair & Replacement Cost) Cost to Change Differential Fluid That’s why you want to change the fluid at regular intervals. As viscosity is lost, the internal gears of the axle become damaged. If the fluid isn’t changed when it should be, the fluid starts to break down. This differential is filled with high-viscosity oil, ensuring that the gear remains lubricated. The engine torque is then distributed across the axle with the help of the differential, which is a set of gears. However, rear- and four-wheel-drive vehicles have a transmission that’s connected to the drive axles with the driveshaft. In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the differential is part of the transmission. If you are in doubt, talk to your local mechanic about what’s best for your vehicle. With either the front or the rear, the changing interval becomes more frequent if you are driving the vehicle harder or in extreme conditions. You will be changing both the differential fluid and transaxle fluid at the same time since they use the same fluid. The front differential usually shares a housing with the transaxle on a front- or all-wheel-drive vehicle, so it needs to be changed more often than the rear. The appropriate schedule for your vehicle can be found in the owner’s manual. With the rear differential fluid, you might only need to change it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The front differential fluid is usually replaced every 25,000 to 30,000 miles. The Danger of Not Changing Differential Fluid How Often to Change Differential Fluid
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