Lube changes Ah!

jaredthomas27 · December 26, 2011

Disclaimer: This is only a vent!

Okay so I decided to change my front diff, rear diff, and transfer case fluids today. I knew I had to take the rear cover off in order to drain the old fluid. So after spending $10 on a gasket (I wish that were a joke) I went to work loosening the fill cap and the outer bolts. Somehow I was able to get all the bolts off without ruining them, they were terribly corroded and was able to disconnect the cover. I could not believe how hard it was getting the old gasket off! I had to sharpen a scrapper to get MOST of it off. I literally spent about 30mins just scrapping and sanding my dif cover getting the old gasket off. Finally I cleaned it up enough to put it back on with the new gasket. Apparently my rear diff requires more than 2 quarts of fluid because that did not fill it. On the good side, the diff looked great and there was ZERO shavings on the magnet. The front dif and transfer case were easy as pie. I found just a little bit of shavings from my transfer case but that is about it. I did run into a problem of not finding the right size bit for the transfer case fill and drain plug. None of my bits fit them and I did not feel like looking it up so I just used a pair of channel locks and they worked fine. I used a fluid pump for all three changes (I hope the little bit of dif fluid in the trans case doesnt hurt) and used Mobil1 75w-90 for the front and rear dif and GM Dexron VI for the transfer case. Well that is my experience! Hope yall had a good Christmas!

-J

07silver4x4 · December 28, 2011

I read somwhere that contamination of engine oil with even a little amount of gear oil is harmful. Not sure how affects ATF though.

I had a rough time getting the front axle fill bolt out. The 18mm socket needed an extension to clear the housing then it loosend easily. Also used Mobile 75-90 in both axles.

when I changed the rear diff fluid I did not see a magnet. Was yours attached to the cover or inside the housing?. Thanks.

Stevens03 · December 28, 2011

I feel your pain, I've been there

jaredthomas27 · December 29, 2011

I read somwhere that contamination of engine oil with even a little amount of gear oil is harmful. Not sure how affects ATF though.

I had a rough time getting the front axle fill bolt out. The 18mm socket needed an extension to clear the housing then it loosend easily. Also used Mobile 75-90 in both axles.

when I changed the rear diff fluid I did not see a magnet. Was yours attached to the cover or inside the housing?. Thanks.

It was on the fill plug. I wasnt sure if it was magnetic because there wasnt any shavings on it so I held it up to a piece of steel and it was magnetic. Not entirely sure how effective it would be being the fill plug an all but the diff sure looked good.