Differential Fluid

[silverado19]

How often should the fluid be change in my rear differential? I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado and a 2001 Chevy Tahoe. Both are 2wd.

 

Should I gauge it by milage or time?

 

I have not checked my owners manuel yet. I want to get a feel for what you guys are doing.

 

 

 

Thanks for the help.

Mark

[Markeaux]

I did my diffs and trans (flush+filter and synthetic) around 3K and again around 30K ... same for my 00 Grand Prix ... (plus since using Mobil1 synth oil go up to 6-7K between oil changes or by the change oil light, whichever comes first - it has come on as early as 3500mi on the Hoe)

[gnutruk]

I think Markeaux is right. I too am a believer in VERY early changes for all the gear elements: rear diff., transfer cases, tranny, etc. This is to ensure that all the factory crud is flushed out, and also because the greatest amount of wear occurs during the first few hundred miles, as the gears "seat" with one another, etc.

 

If you start towing early on, GM wants you to change at about 500 miles. This is, of course, because towing is (potentially) very hard on the reaf diff. So the sooner the fluid change after your first big tow, the better.

 

But after that, you don't have to change rear diff. fluid for a long time. Markeaux says 30,000, and that's certainly good advice. But rear diff. fluid (aka, diff. lube) is very persistant stuff, and you could easily go up to 70K or 80K before having to worry about it again.

 

Be sure to replace the gasket if you remove the cover of the rear diff. Only a $3.00 - 5.00 part at the dealer, and cheap insurance at that. I think there's a discussion on changing rear diff. fluid in the Guides section on this website, and there also has been lots of discussion in past threads.

 

gnutruk