Front Diff Fluid Change

[15_silverado]

Changed the front diff fluid on my 17 Silverado @ 7500 miles.

It was under filled from the factory and looks like green puke; terrible. Kinda seems waterery. Also lots of metal slurry on the magnetic drain plug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[O_J_Simpson]

Looks like your truck was flooded before it was sold to you.

[DaveH71]

The fluid looks like that from factory. Every new truck has that same color lube the first time i've drained them, even my 2011 when i drained it at 5000 miles.

 

It's not water contamination, just a certain kind of oil GM uses.

[15_silverado]

Well whatever that crap was, I'm glad I changed it, only 1&1/4 quarts came out, I put 2 full quarts in before it started to trickle back out. So l would say it was under filled.

 

According to the manual it takes part number 88900401 ACDelco 75w-90 "with new grape scent" ,well I specifically smelled it and it did not smell like grapes, it smelled more like $**t, Ha. So I don't think that was the factory fill, don't know what it was but it's garbage, you all should change yours ASAP.

 

Also I bought my truck, with 3 miles on it, and 3 days after it was delivered by car carrier. The plugs seemed water tight so I don't think water intrusion was possible but who knows.

 

What else could cause that to look watery. Poured really thin, looked watery, and even foamed up a little bit from pouring it.

[Black02Silverado]

To me that doesn't look good. Good thing you changed it out. Almost wouldn't hurt to do it again after a few miles to wash out the rest of the fluid. It is easy to do at least.

 

Going to change out the front and rear diff's on our Suburban here soon. As well as the T case and transmission. It has 6k on it now.

 

At least with electric power steering there isn't a need for fluid there anymore.

[15_silverado]

To me that doesn't look good. Good thing you changed it out. Almost wouldn't hurt to do it again after a few miles to wash out the rest of the fluid. It is easy to do at least.

 

Going to change out the front and rear diff's on our Suburban here soon. As well as the T case and transmission. It has 6k on it now.

 

At least with electric power steering there isn't a need for fluid there anymore.

What year suburban?

Please let me know if you're front diff fluid looks similar to mine.

Use a clean drain pan so you can inspect it, please.

 

I also changed my rear diff and cleaned the magnets. Then installed a PML diff cover, so I'll have a drain plug for the future. The rear diff fluid looked fine, a little dark, but fine. But this front diff fluid is unbelievable for only 7500 miles.

 

Your right I should probably flush it again, I do have more fluid, but I hate to waist it, it's expensive. I did pour some fresh fluid in the fill and let it run out the drain plug to wash out the bottom.

[Black02Silverado]

What year suburban?

Please let me know if you're front diff fluid looks similar to mine.

Use a clean drain pan so you can inspect it, please.

 

I also changed my rear diff and cleaned the magnets. Then installed a PML diff cover, so I'll have a drain plug for the future. The rear diff fluid looked fine, a little dark, but fine. But this front diff fluid is unbelievable for only 7500 miles.

 

Your right I should probably flush it again, I do have more fluid, but I hate to waist it, it's expensive. I did pour some fresh fluid in the fill and let it run out the drain plug to wash out the bottom.

Our Suburban is a 2016, we got it in Dec. I'll post on here what I find when I get the fluid changed out. Which reminds me I need to order Severe Gear oil so I have it on hand. I already have the ATF.

[DaveH71]

Cant seem to find the TSB number but here is a quick run down i found.

 

http://gm.oemdtc.com/1349/white-milky-or-cloudy-appearance-of-front-differential-fluid-2012-2015-cadillac-chevrolet-gmc

[15_silverado]

^^^

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better.

[Bobaloo22]

I changed mine two weeks ago at 27k and it looked exactly like yours. The rear had a little black tinge to it. Amsoil severe gear is what I replaced it with. Also my front drain plug looked like yours but the rear was clean. Also underfilled. I bought mine new also.

[Cowpie]

Yet another example the substantiates my methodology I have had for over 40 years.... I change out all drive train lubes and fluids before 10,000 miles on a new vehicle. On a used one, immediately.

[Gunning Bird]

Changed my front differential at 15K miles and everything was identical to the OP's oil including the slurry on the drain plug. While the slurry did not feel gritty or metallic, I'm still not sure what it was. Kind of reminded me of anti-seize.

[sdeeter19555]

The fuzz is normal, gears are sharp and have minor burns on them that wear/polish smooth with use. That's what that magnet is for and that fuzz is not a concern. Now if there were chunks on there, then you want to look deeper.

 

As far as looking like antiseize, that pretty much what antiseize is, a paste of softer metal particles. They used graphite and oil/grease at one point...before antiseize was really common place.

 

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[volcom8190]

The white is the paint they use to check backlash in the gear set.

 

My fluid looked the same, also had way too little fluid in it.

[Black02Silverado]

Cant seem to find the TSB number but here is a quick run down i found.

 

http://gm.oemdtc.com/1349/white-milky-or-cloudy-appearance-of-front-differential-fluid-2012-2015-cadillac-chevrolet-gmc

The problem I have with this is how much are they putting on the gear teeth to check the clearances? You don't need much and anything like that much they are putting on could compromise the gear fluid.

 

Like Cowpie stated, I change out all fluids early to make sure that the correct level is installed and a high quality fluid is used for long vehicle life.