rear diff 1 qt low !

[the blur]

had the rear diff oil changed 6000 miles ago at dealer.

today I check it, way low!!

 

added 1 full qt. at that point it was spilling out the hole.

I know GM recommends slighly below the hole opening, so it may have been slightly less that 1 qt low, but still low.

 

think I did any pinion bearing, or gear damage in 6000 miles??

 

I towed 5000lbs once during the low period.

[Bish]

had the rear diff oil changed 6000 miles ago at dealer.

today I check it, way low!!

 

added 1 full qt.  at that point it was spilling out the hole.

I know GM recommends slighly below the hole opening, so it may have been slightly less that 1 qt low, but still low.

 

think I did any pinion bearing, or gear damage in 6000 miles??

 

I towed 5000lbs once during the low period.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I would think worse case you overheated the fluid and might want to change it again. The gear lube pretty much splashes everywhere when turning so I don't think any bearings went dry. The lower capacity fluid probably got hotter than it should. If you went with the GM synthetic or a good synthetic alternative I'm not sure I would worry about it too much. If low grade fluid or dino, I would dump it again.

[ken1mod]

had the rear diff oil changed 6000 miles ago at dealer.

today I check it, way low!!

 

added 1 full qt.  at that point it was spilling out the hole.

I know GM recommends slighly below the hole opening, so it may have been slightly less that 1 qt low, but still low.

 

think I did any pinion bearing, or gear damage in 6000 miles??

 

I towed 5000lbs once during the low period.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I would think worse case you overheated the fluid and might want to change it again. The gear lube pretty much splashes everywhere when turning so I don't think any bearings went dry. The lower capacity fluid probably got hotter than it should. If you went with the GM synthetic or a good synthetic alternative I'm not sure I would worry about it too much. If low grade fluid or dino, I would dump it again.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

If it is quiet, you did no damage. You should not run the dif with too much oil in it, it will increase likelyhood of seal leakage. better slightly low than slightly high.

 

Do not worry about your slightly low condition. I used to manage a fleet of trucks and never saw a problem related to low gear oil level.

 

Ken

[fossil]

The proper fluid level should be about 5/8" below the filler opening.

Remember it's going to expand as it warms up from normal operation and an overfilled fluid level is hard on the seals.

[the blur]

The fluid used was the GM syn gear oil, and the qt I added was also the GM synthetic gear oil. very expensive stuff.

 

I don't hear any whine or feel anything is not right.

 

It is an open diff, not limited slip....