Is it worth fixing a differential?
The truth is that sometimes replacing your rear differential will end up costing more than your car is actually worth. But that doesn’t mean you’re at a total loss. You can still junk a car with broken or faulty parts—and walk away with cash for it.
When should you replace a differential?
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.
What happens if you don’t fix your differential?
More importantly, a compromised differential can negatively impact your safety when you’re behind the wheel by making it difficult to turn. A faulty differential can also cause your car’s wheels to lock up, and this can put you in a dangerous situation if it happens while you’re in traffic.
How long does a 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.
Do I really need to change my differential oil?
If the vehicle has exceeded the recommended mileage for service of the gear or differential oil, it is highly recommended to have it changed. Old oil may not provide the same level of protection as clean, fresh oil. Vehicle components run using old or dirty oil may end up susceptible to accelerated wear or even serious damage. 2.
Do I need to replace my differential fluid?
The fluid of the rear differential won’t need to be changed as frequently as the front differential fluid. The recommendation of some car manufacturers is that you change your rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles or so. However, there are a lot of car manufacturers that say you can wait until 50,000 miles before you change this fluid.
How do you change differential fluid?
Differential fluid can be changed in various ways depending on the vehicle as well as the tools the repair shop has on hand to drain and refill the fluid. Some of the more modern shops will possibly own an extractor that will not only remove the old fluid but will also refill with new fluid.
What does differential do I have in the rear?
The differential is what allows the wheels to turn at different speeds . The vast majority of rear-wheel drive cars have an open differential. This means that the rear wheels can spin independently of each other. The easiest way to tell if you have an open differential is to jack up the car and spin one of the rear tires.