Most manufacturers recommend that the differential fluid be changed
every 30,000 to 60,000 miles
. It is a messy job, and should be done by a licensed mechanic.
How long does a rear differential last?
A rear differential service consists of removing the rear differential cover, cleaning any old fluid from inside the differential case, resealing the cover, and adding clean fluid. After a rear differential fluid change, most vehicles will go
20,000 to 40,000 miles
before it’s due again.
What are the symptoms of a rear differential going bad?
- Difficulty in handling. As the differential is the element which helps handle your vehicle in a turn, once it starts to wear out, precision is not something that will be on your side anymore. …
- Tire damage. …
- Vibrations. …
- Whining Noises. …
- Gear Grinding.
How much does it cost to fix a rear differential?
A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere
between $200 and $400
. These typical repairs would include your bearing, seals, and fluid changes. Of course, when a gear change is required, that’s when things get pricey. $1,500 is just the minimum you can expect to pay for new gears.
Can you drive with a bad rear differential?
Technically, you can drive with a bad differential, but
it is not wise
. The problem may get worse, to the point where it leaves you stranded somewhere. It can also cause damage to other surrounding components. It is smartest and safest not to drive with a bad differential.
How do you service a rear differential?
A rear differential service consists of
removing the rear differential cover, cleaning any old fluid from inside the differential case, resealing the cover, and adding clean fluid
. After a rear differential fluid change, most vehicles will go 20,000 to 40,000 miles before it’s due again.
Can a bad differential cause transmission problems?
When the differential doesn’t perform well, it creates metal-on-metal friction that wears down surfaces. The resulting heat weakens gears and can cause component failure and transmission problems. A bad differential makes
the car harder to control turning corners
, and that can be dangerous.
How much does it cost to get a differential replaced?
How much does it cost to replace a rear differential entirely? Depending on the make and model of your car, as well as its condition, expect to spend
between $1,500 to $4,000
.
What causes a differential to go bad?
The first and most common is loss of differential oil which can cause gears inside the differential housing to break, grind, or even block the rear wheels. … However,
differentials can fail if they are pushed too hard
which means that you have performed numerous burnouts, drag racing, and so on.
Can a bad rear end cause transmission problems?
Believe it or not, transmission damage from a rear-end collision is not that uncommon. Some
cars
are more susceptible to rear-end transmission damage, such as those with rear or all-wheel drive because the car’s transmission is actually a bit further back in the vehicle.
What happens if you never change differential fluid?
Differential Fluid Change: What happens if you don’t change differential fluid? …
Differentials deal with moving parts that involve metal to metal contact that produces heat from friction
. The said contact can also wear down its surfaces and eventually weakens its gears that can lead to failure.
Does changing rear differential fluid make a difference?
Why is it important that I have it changed when recommended? Changing this oil is just as important as changing your engine’s oil, and for the same reason. Metal-to-metal contact wears down surfaces and creates heat from friction, which inevitably weakens the gears and leads to failure.
What kind of fluid goes in a rear differential?
Every front or rear axle is filled with a special oil (
also called differential fluid, or gear oil
) that takes care of this. The differential fluid lubricates the gears, bearings and other internal parts, and provides cooling to these components as well.
When should I change my rear differential oil?
Usually, differential fluid is changed
after every 30k to 60k miles driven
. This is a tough job, so must be handled by an expert technician. Only an experienced mechanic can properly wipe out the old different fluid from your vehicle’s drive-train.
What are the signs your transmission is going out?
- Refusal to Switch Gears. If your vehicle refuses or struggles to change gears, you’re more than likely facing a problem with your transmission system. …
- Burning Smell. …
- Neutral Noises. …
- Slipping Gears. …
- Dragging Clutch. …
- Leaking Fluid. …
- Check Engine Light. …
- Grinding or Shaking.
What is the signs of a bad transmission?
- Burning Smell. A burning smell should always raise a red flag. …
- A Low Level of Fluid. …
- Check Engine Light. …
- Abnormal Appearance of the Transmission Fluid. …
- Odd Noises. …
- Sluggish Performance. …
- Grinding and Shaking. …
- Hard to Put the Transmission in Gear.
