Changing fluid front diff , transfer case, and rear diff.

[Welder2014]

Has anyone here serviced the differentials and transfer case? Just picked up the GM fluid Dexron VI for the case and the special high efficiency front and rear diff. fluid. 10-4091. Guess there is not a drain plug for the front. Do a lot of towing want to change out fluids early.

[Gangly]

I haven't performed the tasks yet but I was planning to at 50K miles per the requested service interval in the owners manual for the transfer case.  Are you sure there is no drain plug for the front differential?  I haven't looked yet, but that sounds pretty odd as they are regularly maintenanced item I would think. 

 

Let us know how it goes since I plan on swapping out fluids for all three items in the near future and it would be great to have you as a "test mule"

[jeepincbum11]

According to youtube ( i know, its not always accurate ) ...  but should be similar, right?

 

 

[newdude]

Cover has to be removed for the front axle and rear axle.  Gasket is not re-usable for either one per the manual, must be replaced.  

[BlancoSilverado]

25 minutes ago, newdude said:

Cover has to be removed for the front axle and rear axle.  Gasket is not re-usable for either one per the manual, must be replaced.  

The rear axle seal was re-usable (RPO SU7). 

Front axle was not re-usable, $13 gasket, there are some wiring harness tree-clips(not sure exactly the clip type) on the cover itself at the 11ish-oclock location. (RPO SU4). 

[newdude]

1 hour ago, BlancoSilverado said:

The rear axle seal was re-usable (RPO SU7). 

Front axle was not re-usable, $13 gasket, there are some wiring harness tree-clips(not sure exactly the clip type) on the cover itself at the 11ish-oclock location. (RPO SU4). 

 

 

Hmm.  Service manual shows for all axle RPO codes that the gasket is to be discarded and replaced with a new one.  We haven't had any open for maintenance at work so just going by the GM manual.  

Edited June 16, 2021 by newdude

[BlancoSilverado]

1 hour ago, newdude said:

 

 

Hmm.  Service manual shows for all axle RPO codes that the gasket is to be discarded and replaced with a new one.  We haven't had any open for maintenance at work so just going by the GM manual.  

If i were to do it again (in another 28k miles), i would buy the rear/gasket axle seal (probably $15). It was the same style as my 2005 canyon and the dealer told me that it was a re-usable seal/gasket, and i assumed i could re-use it. i have roughly 2k miles on it now and no leaks. I did clean it really well and kept it dry (per instructions on the internet) while reinstalling. 

[Black02Silverado]

I changed out the fluid in the front and rear differentials.  The front I sucked out since the harness for the power steering and other stuff was in the way.  I didn't feel like messing with that.  The rear I pulled the cover off, cleaned up the magnet and put it back on using the original seal.  So far 20k miles no leaks.

 

I also did the transfer case.  I can say that the AMSOIL Squeeze Packs work awesome.  No mess to deal with. 

 

 

Edited June 17, 2021 by Black02Silverado

[just just]

On 6/16/2021 at 1:52 PM, BlancoSilverado said:

The rear axle seal was re-usable (RPO SU7). 

Front axle was not re-usable, $13 gasket, there are some wiring harness tree-clips(not sure exactly the clip type) on the cover itself at the 11ish-oclock location. (RPO SU4). 

10/30/24

Today I had a fight with the chev dealership about changing the axel lub front and rear. They said and I quote, we just remove the fill plug and suck out the oil and put in new. To remove the cover is old school. I said to them after getting a full refund " if you want the job done right, do it yourself". More and more i hear how all dealships riping off people more and more. This is third world crap and it's time to call them out on this . 

[KARNUT]

I see nothing wrong using suction to remove fluids. I did it with my transmission on  my avalanche and if it didn’t have a drain plug on the differential I would have done it there too. It cuts down on the mess. If you wanted to inspect it still would be less messy. If you had asked for an inspection of the gears they probably would do it and charged more money. I don’t see a problem. 

[customboss]

That’s what I did after my dealer couldn’t figure out how to do it to install Amsoil. 

[customboss]

10 hours ago, just just said:

10/30/24

Today I had a fight with the chev dealership about changing the axel lub front and rear. They said and I quote, we just remove the fill plug and suck out the oil and put in new. To remove the cover is old school. I said to them after getting a full refund " if you want the job done right, do it yourself". More and more i hear how all dealships riping off people more and more. This is third world crap and it's time to call them out on this . 

They were being honest since electronics wires bundle is in way. 

[redwngr]

On 6/16/2021 at 3:41 PM, newdude said:

 

 

Hmm.  Service manual shows for all axle RPO codes that the gasket is to be discarded and replaced with a new one.  We haven't had any open for maintenance at work so just going by the GM manual.  

 

What does the service manual say about service interval for front/rear differentials on the current generation? 

 

A few years back there was an interval in the owners manual, instructions on method and a list of fluids to use. 

 

St

[newdude]

1 hour ago, redwngr said:

 

What does the service manual say about service interval for front/rear differentials on the current generation? 

 

A few years back there was an interval in the owners manual, instructions on method and a list of fluids to use. 

 

St

 

 

Looking at the 2024 owner's manual for a 1500, the only fluid they call for a change interval for severe use is the transfer case every 50,000mi.  Oh and transmission every 45,000mi.  Normal use, transfer case every 100,000mi.

 

For 2024 HD, normal use its transfer case every 50,000mi, severe use its every 25,000mi.  Transmission is only called out for severe use, every 45,000mi.  

 

Neither schedule calls for front and rear axle lubricant replacement.  I even went back to 2010, no diff servicing mentioned then either in the maintenance charts.  

 

 

Thinking on this, AAM was sole and is still a supplier to GM for axles.  I seem to recall AAM had a tech note or something from them about diff fluids.  Good luck if I can find it now, but they actually called for an oil change at 500mi on their products due to their initial break-in.  GM calls for that 500mi, but they mention nothing about changing the diff lubes out.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Black02Silverado]

2 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

Looking at the 2024 owner's manual for a 1500, the only fluid they call for a change interval for severe use is the transfer case every 50,000mi.  Oh and transmission every 45,000mi.  Normal use, transfer case every 100,000mi.

 

For 2024 HD, normal use its transfer case every 50,000mi, severe use its every 25,000mi.  Transmission is only called out for severe use, every 45,000mi.  

 

Neither schedule calls for front and rear axle lubricant replacement.  I even went back to 2010, no diff servicing mentioned then either in the maintenance charts.  

 

 

Thinking on this, AAM was sole and is still a supplier to GM for axles.  I seem to recall AAM had a tech note or something from them about diff fluids.  Good luck if I can find it now, but they actually called for an oil change at 500mi on their products due to their initial break-in.  GM calls for that 500mi, but they mention nothing about changing the diff lubes out.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I change the diff's fluids out after 500 miles. Like you stated to get the wear-in materials out and get fresh fluid back in. I know most don't do it.  I've done it now on my last truck and this truck.  I then go 100k.  My last UOA on my 2002 showed all was well at 100k.