Saturday Project and some ???s

RyanZ71 · April 25, 2004

Yesterday was such a beautiful day here in Denver, (55 degrees which was warm enough to melt all the snow we got over the prior 2 days) so I took full advantage of it! On my way home from work Friday night I stopped off at Costco to pick up some Mobil-1 Synthetic 10W30 oil. It goes for about $24.00 for a case of 6 so not sure if its a good deal or not but hey it's costco, I love costco. I ended up getting 2 6 packs (sounds like I'm getting beer) and yesterday I did an oil change. I only went 4000 miles since my prior oil change with Mobil-1 before the oil life monitor decided it was time to flash that change oil message. I wonder if Jiffy Lube forgot to reset it a few months ago??? I noticed as the oil was draining out did look rather dark, and I figure that since I started useing synthetic 4000 miles ago it was due to all the old oil being flushed out during those 4000 miles. Jiffy lube decided that hand tight on the oil filter meant that it requires a large pair of channel locks in order to get the filter off! I like most of you, hate how GM designed the engine having the oil filter where it is. After putting on a new AC/Delco 59 filter and filling it up with 6 more quarts of M 10W30 I got to thinking about a few things while I was under the truck.

1. It looks like it would be easy to change the rear diff fluid and that i wouldn't need to take it into a mechanic to have it done. Same goes with the front diff and Transfer case? For those of you who did those yourself, would you say it was easy?

2. the truck now has 86,000 miles on it and I really want to get the transmission serviced/new oil/filter. I did have it scheduled to take to the local GMC dealer but when I found out they were only going to drain and flush the fluid and not change the filter, I canceled. I want to take it to a place that knows what they are doing and I am still wondering if I should have synthetic trans fluid used?

3. Should I grease the zerks at every oil change? I've heard different points of view on this, and I don't want to break any of the rubber boots because of too much grease. Also, a few months ago I attempted to replace the zerk on the end of the idler arm where it connects to the relay rod on the passenger side with a 90 degree zerk since its impossible to get at to lube. I wasn't able to get the thing to budge and those of you who have done it know how hard it is to get any type of tool up in there. I think i did manage to strip out the zerk somewhat, but I really want to get it replaced since I am sure it was never lubed by those folks at the oil change places. Any suggestions on how to get that thing off?

Thanks,

Ryan

2001 HD · April 25, 2004

Differential oil change is very easy. Just get it good and hot so it drains well.

Grease zert=vise grips. It's threaded so it should come loose.

Freedom Chevy wants $200.00+ for a power flush & filter change. I'm almost at 50K and my plan is to have the power flush done at the dealer and come home and do my own fliter change. Parts are going to be$45.00-$50.00.

At 86K, I would recommend a flush. But others have a different opinion on this I'm sure.

Should take you about a six-pack to do the above!

ness5575 · April 25, 2004

Front and rear diffs are pretty easy - refer to the guides section here for additional help. I have not yet done the transfer case (had it done under a tsb to switch from the red to the blue, so the dealer took care of it) but it doesnt look much different than doing the diffs.

i had my tranny fluid flushed and a new filter at the dealer and it ran me about $225.

titanium10k · April 25, 2004

! I like most of you, hate how GM designed the engine having the oil filter where it is.

I always appreciated where the filter is on my truck couldnt be in a better place in my opinion. Where elso would you want it????

Shaners · April 25, 2004

As far as the oil life monitor goes, it has no idea whether you're running synthetic or not... It's designed (on a mathematical algorithm) to figure your next oil change based on good quality "Dino" oil.

A tranny service is a good idea if you plan on driving the truck for several more years...

As far as the "lube" goes, I always have the oil changed at my dealership, and they "lube" the truck every service interval.

RyanZ71 · April 26, 2004

always appreciated where the filter is on my truck couldnt be in a better place in my opinion. Where elso would you want it???? >>>>>

Someplace to where I could actually get both hands on it as well as someplace to where it won't drip all over the frame support bars like it does at present.

blue2kzr2 · April 26, 2004

Would you rather have it behind the bumper? The late-model S-10s have it mounted horizontally behind the bumper, above the driveblet shield. There's an access panel to get to it and it's actually VERY easy to get to. It's mounted there for space reasons, not enough below the block to put it on directly. My early-model truck (94 Jimmy) had it behind the right headlight, vertical.

You COULD get a filter relocation kit and put it up in the engine bay or someplace along the frame rail.

RyanZ71 · April 26, 2004

ok, ok I'll stop complaining! has anyone else in here replaced the grease zerk that I described above with a 90?

Butch 02 Denali · April 26, 2004

Yup, I've replaced them with 90's in my trucks too. A good trick to grease the truck is to put it up on jackstands with the front wheels in the air and turn the key to unlock the steering wheel. Now while your under there with the grease gun you can push the front wheels side to side as need be with your foot and get every fitting easily. Try it, you won't believe how much easier it makes it!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

asilverblazer · April 27, 2004

Diff fluids and T-case fluids were easy (even for me). if you don't have one of those fancy pump thingy's use a straw and cut the funnel shaped lids on the rear diff fluid bottles so that the straw barely squeezes through (thats GM's bottle with the funnel lid) you can then aim the tip of the straw into the fill holes on the T-case and front diff. Made it much easier.

gmcjoe · April 27, 2004

2. the truck now has 86,000 miles on it and I really want to get the transmission serviced/new oil/filter. I did have it scheduled to take to the local GMC dealer but when I found out they were only going to drain and flush the fluid and not change the filter, I canceled.

3. Should I grease the zerks at every oil change?

My dealer did my Trans fluid service and it included a filter change. I've never heard of a place offering to change the fluids but not the filter

I have my dealer lube my truck after I do the oil change (Mobil 1).

Hecktorx · April 27, 2004

Would you rather have it behind the bumper?

This was a good idea, but it had really poor execution. The lines they used on the remote SUCKS!!!!! In 120k miles, I've had to replace them 3 times for leaks. And guess what, there leaking again.

Kenny

blue2kzr2 · April 27, 2004

Mine were replaced before I got the truck, one set anyway. We'll see how long they last. Put over 1,000 miles on since I put Mobil 1 in and no leaks, over 65,000 on her now.

rtbrick · May 6, 2004

Diffs and transfer case fluids were very easy to change. Though, I had access to a lift when I did mine. I grease every oil change. I generally only have to add very little grease.

Now, changing the transmission filter was a PAIN for me! I could not get the side bolts that hold the cable bracket loose. They point down towards the ground (as if you were straddling the transmission and looking down). I could only get a 1/4 drive ratchet on and I could not get the leverage. So, I ended up dropping the pan enough to dip the fluid out and swap the filters. I will never do that again! I will gladly pay the $200!

willfxp · May 8, 2004

2. the truck now has 86,000 miles on it and I really want to get the transmission serviced/new oil/filter. I did have it scheduled to take to the local GMC dealer but when I found out they were only going to drain and flush the fluid and not change the filter, I canceled. I want to take it to a place that knows what they are doing and I am still wondering if I should have synthetic trans fluid used?

The Chevy dealership I went to put some additives in the transmission fluid, drove it around a bit, then flushed all the old fluid out and replaced it. Then put in other additives. They said with this, you didn't need to change the filter. Unlike the oil system, the transmission system is completely closed. Lots of crap gets into oil and that's why you need the filter to be changed. Shouldn't happen in a transmission.