water in the differential?

[KYLE]

I took my crew across a creek that was a little deeper than I thought, there was water up my door about 10" I made it across only to have to came back across it again. I told a friend and he suggested I change the gear oil in my differentials, he said water can come in the breather holes and mix with the oil , I was thinking about going synthetic anyway, do you need to change the gear oil every time you submerge the differentials?

[HenryJ]

do you need to change the gear oil every time you submerge the differentials?

That's a tough one...

Both axle breather tubes are mounted pretty high, but you were in pretty deep. I your case I'd change it.



For mild submergence, I'd just keep a close eye on the condition of the lube and watch for water contamination.

[AZS10Crew]

Brule's right...the rear end has a "snorkel" that comes from the differential up and attaches to the bottom of the bed. If you were in deeper than that, then you might have water in it. You can look underneath and see where the tube comes up from the differential to judge for yourself.

[KYLE]

I opened it up yesterday, and it looked ok. I changed to a synthetic anyway, I heard it'll improve gear life.

[Dragonmaster]

I agree, but be very watchful of the front diff as it tends to get water in it a lot easier than the rear, at least with my truck.



I almost have to change my front diff fluid every 3,000km even if I don't go offroad. It must have a permanent source of water in it, because last time I changed it it had not rained since the last change and I had not been off-road through puddles or in a car wash and it was milky. I can't figure it out. I even put a whole bottle of fluid in it after draining, and drain it again to get any residue out before it fill and close up the diff.

[KYLE]

I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW THE SYNTHETIC HOLDS UP. IT MIGHT DO BETTER WHEN EXPOSED.

[Dragonmaster]

I use synthetic, it's the same as the regular.