Fluid change in front differential: 04 SRT-4

I am wanting to change out the fluid in my front differential (OR IS IT CALLED TRANSMISSION) Is there a write up on this with step-by-step instructions or is it so simple that somebody could give me some quick advice? I had planned on just taking it to the dealer, but $200 sounds alittle high to me. Any help is appreciated, what fluid should I go with? Thanks.

 

yup mike at Bwoody did the write up

http://www.srtconnection.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1175

 

Thanks man, I found it right after I made this thread, guess I should have taken a good look first. Live and learn. Thanks!!

 

200 bucks FTL....

3 quarts of Royal Purple Synchromesh: 18 bucks.
doing it your self: Free.

 

Its soooooo easy too. Easier than an oil change IMO. Since we are on the topic.. Wahts the interval to change it at? I changed mine for the first time at 44k I am not at 60k. I think you can go long intervals with tranny fluid, so I read in the manual.

 

The factory changed the interval to every 18k, because the friction modifier supposedly breaks down the ATF faster than expected.

 

$200? For that? :lol:
Do it yourself and save the coin.

 

It takes about 15 minutes or less to do. Its a simple drain-and-fill.

 

Another positive note for the 03's....no LSD, no FM:thumb:

But, if you use the royal purple (which I highly recommend) it has FM in it all ready, so no need to buy more:thumb2:

 

if you want your fluid to perform better don't add the fm. all it does actually is reduce noise so it's not really needed.

i change my fluid every year, regardless of mileage. sometimes more than that depending on how hard i've been on it that season. it's cheap and easy to do so i would rather do it frequently and save the tranny. i don't like to go over 10k on fluid. i have 34k on the car and i've changed the fluid about 7 times. i also always use the mopar atf+4 as it's cheap and it actually has very good cooling properties. it's not as bad as people think, and with how frequent i change fluid i don't see the reason to spend twice the price on fluid when it's debatable if it's even any better.

 

cooling/lubrication properties aside, the royal purple took a lot of the 'clunkiness' (is that a word??) out of my shifting.

But, your right...ATF+4 is fine. Since I have to drive 40 miles out of my way to get the RP, but the MOPAR brand is at wal-mart....On my last tranny fluid change, I did use the ATF. But, I'm going back to RP as soon as it's convienient....

 

i think that the clunkiness issue is different from tranny to tranny. my transmission isn't clunky. it never really was that bad, and it just got rebuilt (snapped input shaft) and it's even smoother now. my boyfriends however is very clunky, and his just got rebuilt as well (3/4 gear synchro shot) and it's still that way. i have no idea what the difference is, and our rebuilds were done by different people so i'm not sure if there were differences in how they did them. we both use mopar stuff. possibly he should try a different fluid since he has that issue and i don't.

 

Maybe....I've never driven another srt-4 besides mine, so i have no idea. But, I have heard many a srt driver complain about the clunkiness of it. They complain about it like the car is gonna fall apart. My tranny is clunky, but it's not that bad.


Kind of like the A/C thing.....Mine has never made a loud bang or whatever people bitch about....

 

I dont even like my A/C because of that.
I have a loud bang and the engine idles funny for a split second.

 

at least you have a/c, mine hasn't worked in two years haha

 

My A/C does the clunk.

05's seem to have the worst issue with trannies. They seem sort of notchy. The 04's seem to shift like butter from my personal experience compare to the 05's. I haven't driven an 03 so I can't comment there.

On a side note, I use Mopar ATF fluid when doing trans fluid changes. I also add the FM as that is what is recommended and I've always been told to add it in. It's probably an 04/05 thing because of the LSD.

 

You really have to go 18k between tranny fluid changes in a MTX!?!? I thought it would be longer than that. I am running the Royal Purple Synchromesh, not sure about it having "friction modifier" that will break down the ATF...


I guess mine is due for another change here in a bit if that is true.

 

With RP, you don't need the friction modifier.

 

18k is pushing it, i always do it much earlier to be safe. more lke 10-12k. it's easy and cheap, and a good preventative measure.

 

I know it doesn't ahve the friction modifier, but someone stated in another post that it has something similar to it...

18k pushing it?

I changed mine for the first time around 44k! (Bought it from a private owner, doubt he changed it) I think the Royal Purple will run me $40 for 3 quarts.