50k service

debo4x4 · December 18, 2003

Well I finally got around to doing my 50k service. I ordered all the fluids from gm parts direct and changed the front and rear diffs as well as the transfer case.....wasn't too bad. The transfer case and rear diff fluids didn't look bad at all but the front diff needed to be changed. I had the transmission flushed at the local jiffy lube, the fluid was very dark so it was time to change. They didn't change the filter which was the only thing i didn't like. Think I really needed that done? All together it only cost me $168 and a little elbow grease. I hope my "clunk" will slowly go away with the new autotracII fluid but we'll see...Not much $$ and well worth the time.

seadoons · December 18, 2003

I had my transmission flushed at 30K and they did the same thing...just flushed the transmission and didn't change the filter. Technically they aren't "flushing" it...they just hook up some hoses and let the flow of the transmission push out the old and suck in the new, so there isn't any more pressure going through the filter. Some people say that the flush will take all the crap out of the filter and put it back into the tranny...not true. There isn't any more pressure in there. I will have it done again at 60K and am thinking I will have the filter changed then.

JayMan · December 19, 2003

Glad to hear the servicing is out of the way. That front axle gear oil can get nasty, huh??

As far as flushing the trans and NOT changing the filter, Conventional Wisdom tells us that the new fluid with new detergents might knock loose the crud in the trans and plug the filter. So, it might be best to put a few miles on it and THEN change the trans filter.

But if it shifts ok, maybe leave it alone.

I changed my trans filter and fluid at 600 miles, tried to flush it out best I could, then again a year later. The initial change was surprising, as there was a light fuzz on the pan magnets and some particles on the filter. A year later when I dropped the pan, clean as a whistle.

That tells me most of the crud comes from the factory, a "no charge" option if you will!