JKwock
S. Cal
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Joined: 02/22/2005
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Just wondering how often and how much does everyone else pay for rear differential service and changing of the fuel filter?
I was told that I should do my rear diff and change the fuel filter once a year. It cost $199.00 to change the rear diff and $115.00 to change the fuel filter. This is at the Dodge Dealer. This is for a Diesel by the way.
Jason
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gillguy
Valdosta, GA
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Joined: 02/08/2006
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What year is your truck?
Most diesels you change the fuel filter every other oil change or some owners manuals say either 15,000 or 25,000 miles.
Also good to be able to replace the fuel filter yourself, just in case you ever get bad fuel, plus if you DIY you can save the $$$ to buy fuel, filter isn't that expensive.
Bobby (USAF Retired)
2007 Chevy 2500 LBZ Duramax C/C, S/B 4X4
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SkiDood
Peoples Republic of Minnesota
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Filter
That and 10-15 minutes for the FF. Seriously. It's so easy my 5 year old could do it.
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btd35
Seattle, WA
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Your fuel filter should be changed every other oil change in a diesel. This came from several diesel mechanics I have talked to. They all said put a mark on your engine oil filter when you change your oil in between fuel filter changes, that will remind you that next time, you do the fuel filter as well.
Your differential should be service every time you have your tranny serviced which for me is every 20,000 miles, or depending on how hot and how long it has been run hot. I have a tranny guage, and if I see it working in the 200 to 250 degree range very much, ( most of the time it sits around 160 for 70-80 degree weather and not pulling hills) I know that maybe I need to do a few fewer miles between tranny and rear end changes. You should also watch for any leaks around your drive shaft and rear axle seals that would tell you if you are loosing lubricant that can take out a rear end.
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SidKaye
Mt Dora Florida, Montreal QC for the Summer
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I too recommend doing your own Fuel Filter change and Geno's is the place to buy from. YOU will do a better job than the dealer as you WILL be careful to not screw up something else because YOU care. I have my differential done at a BIG truck shop. I don't have the bill in hand but I think last time it was under $75.00. Difference between them and the one time I had it done at the dealer? The dealer did NOT remove the cover, just the plug and sucked out the fluid. Big truck place removed the cover cleaned and inspected, replaced the re-usable gasket and torqued the cover. Then filled it to the correct level with the appropriate fluid.
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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I do both of these procedures myself. The job is just too easy and I am just too cheap to stand and watch someone else do such a simple job than charge me hundreds of dollars for the effort. I do change out the differential fluid early the first time, usually under 10k miles miles than every 30k miles thereafter. Each and every time I did that first time procedure, there was quite a bit of metal sludge from the "wear in" of the components. I remove the cover(when possible) let the gear oil drain until it stops, wipe out the lower area and inside the cover with clean cloths, reseal and reinstall the cover. If you have a limited slip differential, be sure to add the appropriate friction modifier as directed by manufacturer when refilling. My suggestion, always use quality synthetic gear oil of the correct viscosity. After a long tow, crawl under the back of your truck and feel the differential cover, you may be surprised how damn hot it is. Probably reason Ford now installs aluminum finned covers on the F250/350 trucks.
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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I change my own. Fleetguard fuel filters from genosgarage.com for 12 bucks takes about 3-4 minuets to change. Redline synthetic for 6 buck a quart with the reusable gasket on the rear housing which takes about 30 minuets.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
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Dave H M
IL
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I think it depends on the year and make of the truck and what the owners manual recommends.
I took the cover off the diff on the F250 after 100K and the stuff that came out looked like new and the mag plug was relatively not piled up with stuff.
Now for the fuel filter. My ole 99 psd just chugged right up to 100K on the factory fuel filter. I chsnged it at 100K with the diff just for the hey of it. I got 27K on the new fuel filter. I hear that wont work on the "modern" diesels though. Seems like my friend chnges his MAX fuel filter more than he changes his under shorts. 
I do keep a spre fuel filter in the glove box along with the spare cps though.
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sclark
Minnesota
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Joined: 03/11/2005
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If I purchase the filter at my Dodge dealer, I pay 24 and change. As mentioned above it is very easy to do. Paying that much for a fuel filter change is way too much. Good luck.
2004.5 Dodge Cummins
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JKwock
S. Cal
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Joined: 02/22/2005
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Thanks for all the input. I will learn how to do it myself. I think it will be a good investment to buy the Dodge maintenance manual.
Jason
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