Front Differential fluid change

[Crf450r420]

Anyone ever do this? I think I see where to empty it, but not sure and I'm very lost on where to fill it. I will admit I slid under it to look and have not had it up high enough to remove the skid plate. I tried searching here and on google to find nothing. I can't imagine no one has ever changed it. Thanks.

 

I don't like the search on this site at all. It's hard to find a title even if you put the exact words in the search.

[Bobaloo22]

I'm pretty sure that you pop off the cover to drain (Leave a couple of bolts on loosely when you pop the cover), you will want to clean off the inside of the cover anyway and the magnet. The plug is to fill, just fill to top of the hole and you're good to go. Also believe you can re use the gasket. I've done this on many cars and my 2004 Colorado so I'm sure they are the same.

[Z45]

There is a drain and fill plug on diff. Might have to move or remove skid plates to get access. Note-Be sure to have the proper tools and remove the fill plug before draining fluid. All to often someone has drained the fluid then unable to remove the fill plug. Very important to use the proper tools, case is made of aluminum and easily damaged with the wrong tools.

[Cowpie]

Exactly right. Procedure perfect. Very easy job but requires watching how tight you put plugs back in so you don't strip the housing.

[redwngr]

There is a nice diagram of plug locations in the owners manual.

[Crf450r420]

Guess I just need to get the cover out of the way. Did the rear Nd case on the ground without much issue. Gonna have to get a lift in 2017. Thanks for the insight.

[FL335i]

I did mine. Easy job. Remove the skid plate. Locate the fill and drain plug. IIRC the fill plug is large diameter plug on the driver side of the pumpkin. Drain plug is well... on the bottom good sir. Took about 1.8 qts IIRC. I would have at least two bottles. The front diffs are open, so you can run M1 75/90 in it if you want. The O&M calls for 80/90 Dino.... forget that. I did 75/90 Syn in the front and rear.

[Black02Silverado]

Yes it is easy to do with the front diff having a drain and fill plug. Good advice to make sure that you can remove the fill plug first.

 

What I can't understand is GM can put a drain plug on all the front differentials but can't put one on the rear.

[Cowpie]

Yeah, it does seem stupid that the 1500's don't have a drain plug on rear diff. At least they do on the 2500's. At first couldn't find it, but it was recessed into the forward bottom of the diff more towards the input shaft. Wouldn't take much to do the same with the 1500 diffs.

[sdeeter19555]

Yeah, it does seem stupid that the 1500's don't have a drain plug on rear diff. At least they do on the 2500's. At first couldn't find it, but it was recessed into the forward bottom of the diff more towards the input shaft. Wouldn't take much to do the same with the 1500 diffs.

The drain plugs must be a GM thing, I've had a lot of Dodge 150/250/1500/2500s with Dana and AAM axles (the AAM were very similar to what GM uses), and not one had a drain plug...at least the AAM had reusable gaskets.

 

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[Eddie 70]

For the rear I just use a pump and pull as much out as I can get. It usually gets it down pretty far so it doesn't make a big smelly mess. It would be nice to have a drain though, I agree.

[redwngr]

I did mine. Easy job. Remove the skid plate. Locate the fill and drain plug. IIRC the fill plug is large diameter plug on the driver side of the pumpkin. Drain plug is well... on the bottom good sir. Took about 1.8 qts IIRC. I would have at least two bottles. The front diffs are open, so you can run M1 75/90 in it if you want. The O&M calls for 80/90 Dino.... forget that. I did 75/90 Syn in the front and rear.

They've changed in the newer manuals:

 

2016 manual:

 

Front Axle – Four-Wheel Drive SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant

Rear Axle (1500 Series) SAE 75W-85 Synthetic Axle Lubricant

(IIRC, the 2014 was 80W-90 for front, the same as '16 for the rear)

[No Tyme]

Anyone ever do this? I think I see where to empty it, but not sure and I'm very lost on where to fill it. I will admit I slid under it to look and have not had it up high enough to remove the skid plate. I tried searching here and on google to find nothing. I can't imagine no one has ever changed it. Thanks.

 

I don't like the search on this site at all. It's hard to find a title even if you put the exact words in the search.

If I remember correctly the differentials are suppose to be good for 100,000 miles. You changing already?

[Black02Silverado]

If I remember correctly the differentials are suppose to be good for 100,000 miles. You changing already?

Actually it is good to change out the fluid early, like around 5k miles to get all the break-in/wear-in material out. Once the fluid is changed then yes, if you don't do any towing or hauling 100k is the normal interval. But for the cost of the fluid and how little often so to speak you do it, you have better protection in the long run. But like most that don't keep a vehicle longer than 100k miles then I wouldn't worry about it. You would be surprised to see what is on the magnet when you pull the diff cover off. Also what is on the front diff drain plug magnet.

[Crf450r420]

I did the rear with my brake vac pump. I wasn't going to break it open if it doesn't leak. The transfer case was easy also, but I have my Camaro up on stands and don't have room for the truck. I found the drain and might have spotted the fill. I just couldn't look around enough to be sure. I didn't do the 5k, but wan't going to go 100k. Using all AMSoil in it. On my Camaro I changed the cover on the Moser 12 bolt axle just because I wanted a drain plug.