how to change diff fluid?

crrider80

Too soon Jr.
Jun 3, 2006
341
0
0
NYC
hi, I'm wondering of you guys know any tutorials on how to change the diff fluid. and tips and tricks would be appreciated. Thanks.
-steve
 

BlackMKIII

Hardcore Lurker
Jan 6, 2007
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Norman, Oklahoma
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1: Insert drain pan beneath diff
2: Remove lower drain bolt
3: Remove upper fill bolt
4: Filter fluid with a screen while draining. Check for excessive metal in screen or on drain plug.
5: Clean, and reinstall drain plug.
6: Refill rear differential with 75w90 GL-5 Gear Oil until fluid comes out of fill hole. (I always use a gravity method of holding the container a bit higher than the diff)
7: Replace fill bolt
8: Go do donuts in an empty parking lot for 20 minutes.
9: Paypal me $20 for being so nice as to give you a step-by-step instruction.

KTHXBAI!
 

suprahero

naughty by nature
Staff member
Aug 26, 2005
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Roll Tide
.......or you can do it this way.
1: Insert drain pan beneath diff
2: Remove lower drain bolt
3: Remove upper fill bolt
4: Filter fluid with a screen while draining. Check for excessive metal in screen or on drain plug.
5: Clean, and reinstall drain plug.
6: Refill rear differential with 75w90 GL-5 Gear Oil until fluid comes out of fill hole. (I always use a gravity method of holding the container a bit higher than the diff)
7: Replace fill bolt
8: Go do donuts in an empty parking lot for 20 minutes.
9: Paypal me $20 for being so nice as to give you a step-by-step instruction.

paypal is jhayes9969@charter.net ...............:biglaugh:
 

kabanimk3supra

kabanimk3supra
Apr 11, 2007
511
0
0
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oklahoma
suprahero said:
.......or you can do it this way.
1: Insert drain pan beneath diff
2: Remove lower drain bolt
3: Remove upper fill bolt
4: Filter fluid with a screen while draining. Check for excessive metal in screen or on drain plug.
5: Clean, and reinstall drain plug.
6: Refill rear differential with 75w90 GL-5 Gear Oil until fluid comes out of fill hole. (I always use a gravity method of holding the container a bit higher than the diff)
7: Replace fill bolt
8: Go do donuts in an empty parking lot for 20 minutes.
9: Paypal me $20 for being so nice as to give you a step-by-step instruction.

paypal is jhayes9969@charter.net ...............:biglaugh:
:rofl:
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
16,757
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Fort Worth, TX
reason you undo the filler bolt is twofold...

- allows it to drain easier
- and if it strips, is seized, ect, it means you can actually drive somewhere to get it fixed rather than have a diff empty of fluid

I recommend the ford gear oil with LSD additive as it keeps high milage LSD's quiet.
 

crrider80

Too soon Jr.
Jun 3, 2006
341
0
0
NYC
thanks for the replies. does anyone know the socket sizes for the fill and drain bolts?
-Steve
 

crrider80

Too soon Jr.
Jun 3, 2006
341
0
0
NYC
Big Wang Bandit said:

Is that for the drain too? I'm pretty sure the drain is pretty huge. I need to know the right sized socket because my socket set is limited.
-Steve
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
1
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Valley of the Sun
14mm!?!? Not even close! :3d_frown:

Both the drain and fill plug is 24mm or 15/16" socket sizes...the 15/16" actually fits a bit more snug.
Just confirmed it on the LSD I have sitting in the garage.
 
Dec 3, 2003
6,653
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Canada
As far as the "pull the fill plug first" I disagree. The way I look at it is, it NEEDS to come out one way or the other so I say it is a motivation factor to take it off if stuck. (my .02)

Buy one of these to fill. You can use it for both tranny and diff ;) This is what I use.

Duane

p772262_1.jpg
 
Dec 3, 2003
6,653
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Canada
IJ. said:
Another important point is to remember to replace the drain plug BEFORE filling ;)


LOL..well if someone can't remember that, they shouldn't be around cars period....or around anything that requires filling :biglaugh:
 

abda53

New Member
Sep 16, 2007
10
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Bay Area
upgradedsupra said:
As far as the "pull the fill plug first" I disagree. The way I look at it is, it NEEDS to come out one way or the other so I say it is a motivation factor to take it off if stuck. (my .02)

Buy one of these to fill. You can use it for both tranny and diff ;) This is what I use.

you may cause more damage in the process or just trying to get it out.. especially if it seized or stripped.
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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I come from a land down under
upgradedsupra said:
:rofl: A little too many of these > :beer:
I don't drink alcohol so I can't even use that as an excuse ;)
(it was just a DOH moment)

As for the "pull the fill plug first" discussion if it's a worst case scenario and you can't get it undo you can always pop a stub axle and fill it through there (Better than 15+ year old oil)