I noticed in the owner's manual to change the rear diff oil after 3 mos/3000 miles if we tow. Anyone have experience? Tools required? What kind of oil?
Thanks!

I noticed in the owner's manual to change the rear diff oil after 3 mos/3000 miles if we tow. Anyone have experience? Tools required? What kind of oil?
Thanks!

Check the threads for "differential" should find some helpful info. I changed at about 3700. Nice and dirty with slimy residue and ionized "goo" stuck to the magnet (not sure if it was metalic). Needed a 10mm hex wrech and used Semi Synthetic Durablend. Uses just under 2 quarts. No thread sealer needed. No special pumps needed either.

Very easy, only thing out of the ordinary is a 10mm allen wrench. Read threads on this. I used a old toothbrush to reach in a pull the last bit of nasty bottom sludge residue out drain hole.

I also changed mine after my first tow, but I had the dealer do it. He commented that the oil they took out was very dirty. I just returned from a 2500 mile tow, I think I'm going to do it again (total 17,000 miles).

Keith

Thanks guys. Does diff oil always smell so bad? BTW Redline spec'd their 75W90 synthetic for us.

I just squeezed the oil bottles best I could and got most of it in the box. Is that the way you do it?

Thanks guys. Does diff oil always smell so bad? BTW Redline spec'd their 75W90 synthetic for us.

I just squeezed the oil bottles best I could and got most of it in the box. Is that the way you do it?

Done deal, not much to it. Squeeze till it comes out the fill whole. Just under 2 quarts. Can use different viscosities dependent on you local climate, check the manual (warmer climate, heavier oil) :temphot:

Had both diffs and transfer case changed with Mobil Synthetics at 1500 miles. The gasket seal they use turns into goo that gets in the oil. If you change it, it will get the goo out and stay clean afterwards. I would say to change it early once and then follow schedule. ;)

Using a suction gun makes it go even easier if you don't have a pump. Getting the plug loose the first time is the hardest part, seriously. I couldn't believe the torque required to break it loose the first time.

I noticed in the owner's manual to change the rear diff oil after 3 mos/3000 miles if we tow. Anyone have experience? Tools required? What kind of oil?
Thanks!
So how often do we change if we don't tow anything?

I have just changed the oil on the rear differential at 5k miles. I filled it with Mobil-One 75w140. The oil smells pretty bad and it was PITA to squeeze the oil from the bottle to fill up. I rather use a pump next time.

Does a friction modifier need to be added to the rear differantial?
Most limited slip rear-ends need this additive. My local nissan dealer offered to sell me a "kit" for do it yourselfer's. The tech I talked with was about as sharp as a sack of wet mice. He couldnt give me a concrete answer as to whether or not an additive was needed. He then said Nissan has an additive for limited slip rear ends, but it wasnt vehicle specific. The additive alone was $40.

-Jeff

Does a friction modifier need to be added to the rear differantial?
Most limited slip rear-ends need this additive. My local nissan dealer offered to sell me a "kit" for do it yourselfer's. The tech I talked with was about as sharp as a sack of wet mice. He couldnt give me a concrete answer as to whether or not an additive was needed. He then said Nissan has an additive for limited slip rear ends, but it wasnt vehicle specific. The additive alone was $40.

-Jeff
We don't have a true limited slip differential; there are no clutch plates that require a friction modifier. No adatives are necessary or desired. Use a quality synthetic 75W140.

so if we don't tow, when should we change the oil??? someone else had asked but he didnt get answered...

We don't have a true limited slip differential; there are no clutch plates that require a friction modifier. No adatives are necessary or desired. Use a quality synthetic 75W140.

75W-140? My '07 owners manual states 75w-90 synthetic for the rear and 80w-90 for the front.

75W-140? My '07 owners manual states 75w-90 synthetic for the rear and 80w-90 for the front. Nissan changed the rear lube specs to synthetic 75W140 for the rear of the Titans. If you do much towing I would use that. I have Amsoil Severe Gear 75W140 in my Armada. If you don't tow the 75W90 will be fine. If you live in a warm climate as I do I think 75W140 in the rear is a good idea, towing or not.

so we should change our oil every 3700 miles no matter if you tow or not???

so if we don't tow, when should we change the oil??? someone else had asked but he didnt get answered...

I'll be the third to ask. If we don't use our Armada's for towing we need to change the diff oil anyway???

I put in synthetic at 1500 miles. When they make the diffs, there is gasket goop in there. Changing the oil gets that and filings out. ;)

Well I just returned from the local Nissan service department after having some minor issues taken care of. I talked with the lead master tech and he advised me that 75w-140 is recommended in the Armada if you plan on towing. He said Nissan made the change for the Titan trucks but hasn't been too pushy on recommending its use in the Armada, because not very many people tow in the "kid taxi, grocery getter" (as he put it) Armada. He said It will cause fuel mileage to drop a little, but I 'll trade off a little mpg for better protection any day. He said everything "recommended" by the manufacturer is just that, "recommended" for the best possible fuel economy. Under the absolute best conditions and the most basic use of the vehicle (kid taxi, grocery getting) 5w-30 motor oil and 75w-90 rear diff will get you the best mpg and average overall protection. He added, if it were him.... He would use at least 10w-30 and definitely 75w-140 in the rear diff. especially for towing.

Man that 75w-140 is expensive stuff.... 17$ a bottle for mobile 1

I looked up my owner manual today and found that the rear and front differential require 80w90 fluid. I have read:( the threads here everyone recommend 75w90 any idea?

manufacture states 80w90 but those who tow often use 75w140 for added protection. Also if you find bits of metal like small chunks (like i did) know that your diff is going to fail in about a thousand miles and take it in early. Best of Luck.

Thanks Qx_indulgence, another question my manual does not state how many quarts it require, so how you know that you have enough?

You will need two quarts. The rear diff holds 3 3/4 pints. Fill it until fluid starts to run out the fill hole.

~~but those who tow often use 75w140 for added protection~~.WOW! :eek: I didn't know that! I must have slept on those threads!:cool:

I use 75-140 Amsoil in my Armada. I don't tow very often, but in a hot climate I think the 75-140 synthetic gives you extra protection.
Nissan changed to 75-140 synthetic in the Titans; they all come from the factory with that installed.

Thanks scr38 you have been helpful, I will try it this weekend. So there is not much to it, just drain and fill until spill.

Hello, Anyone has a diagram where`s the drain and the filler hole for the front differential.

See attachment. Drain is #22; fill is #32.

Hello, Anyone has a diagram where`s the drain and the filler hole for the front differential.


are people using 75-140 for the front also or just the rear?

How much is needed for the front? Just under 2 qts like the rear?

TIA

80W90 for the front. It holds 3 3/8 pints, so you will need two quarts .

Considering this is an old thread, month or so ago does anyone have the diagram for the rear diff?

Thanks in advance.

80W90 for the front. It holds 3 3/8 pints, so you will need two quarts .

Can't find synthetic oil in 80w-90... Should I just use 75w-90 in front? Whats the difference?

I use 75-90 RP front and 75-140 RP rear

I had my diffs serviced for towing and the dealer put the 140 in both the rear and front. Outside of lower gas mileage is there a problem with this? Seems like better protection front and back would be a good thing. Also, where does it recommend changing every 3K? That seems very excessive...I thought it was every 15K. I am going to have to start doing this myself.

75w-140 is twice as much per bottle...

Which flows better in cold weather, 80w-90 or 75w-90?

Cold weather viscosity is not really a factor since the diffs heat up pretty quick. The 90/140wt protects the gears a whole lot better than the 75/90wt. And the 90/140 assists in cooling the oil by sticking to the case longer and transferring the heat. For both the Armada and the Titan, Nissan has recommended the 90/140wt to reduce failures, especially if you tow. I swapped from dyno oil to full synthetic at 2500 miles, and have changed the diff oil every 5-7k since. At 30K my front diff stopped depositing particulate on the drain plug magnet and has remained clear or purple and clean, ever since. My rear diff has reduced the particulate deposit on the drain plug magnet from 1/8th inch of gook per change to about 1/32 inch of gook at the last change. Hopefully it will stop making metal by the next change. As far as quantity- just plan on 2qts per diff, and fill till it runs out the sight hole (fill plug hole). When I got mine from the dealer new, it only had a little under 2 pints in each diff, so check the oil early and often!

Thanks to all for the info.
I think I might get on the diff oil change this weekend.

I spoke to the dealer and they mentioned to do the first change of fluids at 30K. I"m at 30K now so I'm taking it to my local mechanic to get all this done. The diffs look pretty easy to change by myself so I'm going to try that at home and save a few bucks. The transfer case and trans I'll have done at the shop.

Thanks for all the great information.

Cadences- If you can change the oil on both diffs, you'll have no problem changing the oil for the transfer case.

With only 30k, there is no need to completely drain the transmission and fill. Drain from the transmission pan and measure the amount. Just refill the same amount with new tranny fluid.

Hey PrimoV8,

I changed oil on both Diffs last week to Amsoil Extreme Duty 75w90. Not hard at all. I'm going to to the transmission and transfer case at my local (trusted) mechanic. The Armada is at 31K on the odo so I wanted to get this first one completed professionally and have the paperwork.

After warranty is up I will attempt the next flush on my own.

I did both of mine after I put the rims on at 55k, fluid was clear after 55k, 7k with rims. Did it myself with the help of the forum, and one Allen wrench (cant remember the size). I used the Castrol synthetic, bought 4 bottles and managed to use the nozzle on the bottles to get it in the hole. 20k later no trouble.