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99' Tahoe (2 dr) front/rear axle fluid change

paulphilly

By paulphilly
in Ask A GM Technician

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paulphilly Enthusiast

paulphilly

Posted
Posted

Got back from the dealer today after paying $600 for front/rear axle fluid change, oil change, transfer case fluid change, tranny fluid change, radiator flush/fill, new brakes/rotors turned. My question is how do I know they did all of these fluid changes? I crawled under my Tahoe today to check and there is only one plug on the rear axle which is at the top. So, I am assuming the only way to change the rear axle fluid is to remove the pumpkin and drain the fluid and then use a new gasket when putting the pumpkin back on? Then, use the top nut to refill? If so, my bolts on my pumpkin dont even look like they have been touched. Could the mechanic sucked the fluid out with some type of machine? I cant tell if he changed the fluid in either axle along with the transfer case. Please help!!

ChevyTech007 Enthusiast

ChevyTech007

Posted
Posted

Yes, the fluid can be sucked out. Check your trans fluid on the dipstick, if it looks new they did flush it. You have a better chance of the work actually being done at a dealer than an indy.

paulphilly Enthusiast

paulphilly

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Yes, the fluid can be sucked out. Check your trans fluid on the dipstick, if it looks new they did flush it. You have a better chance of the work actually being done at a dealer than an indy.

 

 

 

 

Yes, the tranny fluid looks new. Ok, now I checked again with a flashlight and the rear axle had to be sucked out. The bolts dont even look like they were touched. So, if they did suck it out, how would I ever know the work was done?? And, should I have someone actually remove the rear cover and completely flush and replace with new gasket? He told me that he added the rear limited slip additive after I asked him if he forgot to put it in. But, that doesnt mean he really did it. Also, what about the transfer case and front diff? I got screwed like this before from another dealer and am very untrusting especially after spending $600. Thought?? Thanks

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted
Yes, the fluid can be sucked out. Check your trans fluid on the dipstick, if it looks new they did flush it. You have a better chance of the work actually being done at a dealer than an indy.

 

 

 

 

 

He told me that he added the rear limited slip additive after I asked him if he forgot to put it in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I kinda' hope they didn't put the additive in :mad: Its not needed or recomended by GM for use in the trucks

paulphilly Enthusiast

paulphilly

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Yes, the fluid can be sucked out. Check your trans fluid on the dipstick, if it looks new they did flush it. You have a better chance of the work actually being done at a dealer than an indy.

 

 

 

 

He told me that he added the rear limited slip additive after I asked him if he forgot to put it in.

 

 

 

 

 

I kinda' hope they didn't put the additive in :mad: Its not needed or recomended by GM for use in the trucks

 

 

 

 

 

If there is no additive needed, can I use a fully synthetic on my 99' 2 Dr 4X4? The owners manual states to use a 80w-90 gear oil. Would the mobil 1 75w-90 do?

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

Yes,You can.This bulletin might help,Notice it says "do not add additive" and almost at the bottom of the bulletin it mentions putting in sythetic fluid in the front-end drive axle.

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

INFO ON RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT #76-02-02A - (Sep 29, 1998)

REVISION: 09/25/98 DIVS INVL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO ADD THE 1998 AND 1999 MODEL YEARS AND ADD VEHICLE LINE AND RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT INFORMATION. PLEASE DISCARD CORPORATE BULLETIN NUMBER 76-02-02 (SECTION 0 - GENERAL INFORMATION). ______________________________________________________________________

 

SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT

 

MODELS: 1999 AND PRIOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS, LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

 

THE FOLLOWING TABLES PROVIDE THE LATEST INFORMATION ON RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT.

 

REAR AXLES WITH NON LIMITED-SLIP OR NON LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS

 

HD-3500 TRUCKS (DANA 11.0" GM P/N 12346140, SAE 75W-140 AXLES) SYNTHETIC GEAR LUBRICANT

 

1999 GMT 800 TRUCKS GM P/N 12378261, SAE 75W-90 SYNTHETIC AXLE LUBRICANT

 

ALL OTHER NON LIMITED-SLIP OR GM P/N 1052271 OR AN SAE NON LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS 80W-90 GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT INCLUDING B AND D CARS, S/T, M/L, G, P, AND C/K TRUCKS EXCEPT GMT 800 TRUCKS, AND AS NOTED ABOVE

 

REAR AXLES WITH LIMITED-SLIP OR LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS

 

1999 GMT 800 TRUCKS GM P/N 12378261, SAE 75W-90 SYNTHETIC AXLE LUBRICANT (DO NOT ADD LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE)

 

ALL OTHER LIMITED-SLIP OR USE ONLY GM P/N 1052271 LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS (DO NOT ADD LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE) INCLUDING C/K (NON GMT 800), S/T, M/L, G TRUCKS

 

MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS (TOPKICK, KODIAK, ETC.)

 

VEHICLE LINE RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS GM P/N 12345841, SAE 75W-90 SYNTHETIC AXLE LUBRICANT FOR MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS (EATON ROADRANGER AXLE LUBRICANT)

 

FRONT AXLES ON 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

 

VEHICLE LINE RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT FRONT AXLES IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE GM P/N 1052271 OR AN SAE VEHICLES OTHER THAN GEO 80W-90 GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT (CHEVROLET) TRACKER

 

FRONT AXLES IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE GM P/N 12345836, SAE 75W-90 VEHICLES IN COLD CLIMATES SYNTHETIC COLD CLIMATE FRONT WHEN EXCESSIVE SHIFT EFFORT AXLE LUBRICANT IS REQUIRED TO SHIFT INTO 4- WHEEL DRIVE

 

GEO (CHEVROLET) TRACKER GM P/N 12345977 OR AN SAE 80W-90 GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT

 

PARTS INFORMATION:

 

PARTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO.

 

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

 

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

 

COPYRIGHT 1998 GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

 

 

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

paulphilly Enthusiast

paulphilly

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Yes,You can.This bulletin might help,Notice it says "do not add additive" and almost at the bottom of the bulletin it mentions putting in sythetic fluid in the front-end drive axle.

 

 

     

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

INFO ON RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT #76-02-02A - (Sep 29, 1998)

REVISION: 09/25/98 DIVS INVL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO ADD THE 1998 AND 1999 MODEL YEARS AND ADD VEHICLE LINE AND RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT INFORMATION. PLEASE DISCARD CORPORATE BULLETIN NUMBER 76-02-02 (SECTION 0 - GENERAL INFORMATION). ______________________________________________________________________

 

SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT

 

MODELS: 1999 AND PRIOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS, LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

 

THE FOLLOWING TABLES PROVIDE THE LATEST INFORMATION ON RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT.

 

REAR AXLES WITH NON LIMITED-SLIP OR NON LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS

 

HD-3500 TRUCKS (DANA 11.0" GM P/N 12346140, SAE 75W-140 AXLES) SYNTHETIC GEAR LUBRICANT

 

1999 GMT 800 TRUCKS GM P/N 12378261, SAE 75W-90 SYNTHETIC AXLE LUBRICANT

 

ALL OTHER NON LIMITED-SLIP OR GM P/N 1052271 OR AN SAE NON LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS 80W-90 GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT INCLUDING B AND D CARS, S/T, M/L, G, P, AND C/K TRUCKS EXCEPT GMT 800 TRUCKS, AND AS NOTED ABOVE

 

REAR AXLES WITH LIMITED-SLIP OR LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS

 

1999 GMT 800 TRUCKS GM P/N 12378261, SAE 75W-90 SYNTHETIC AXLE LUBRICANT (DO NOT ADD LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE)

 

ALL OTHER LIMITED-SLIP OR USE ONLY GM P/N 1052271 LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS (DO NOT ADD LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE) INCLUDING C/K (NON GMT 800), S/T, M/L, G TRUCKS

 

MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS (TOPKICK, KODIAK, ETC.)

 

VEHICLE LINE RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS GM P/N 12345841, SAE 75W-90 SYNTHETIC AXLE LUBRICANT FOR MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS (EATON ROADRANGER AXLE LUBRICANT)

 

FRONT AXLES ON 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

 

VEHICLE LINE RECOMMENDED AXLE LUBRICANT FRONT AXLES IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE GM P/N 1052271 OR AN SAE VEHICLES OTHER THAN GEO 80W-90 GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT (CHEVROLET) TRACKER

 

FRONT AXLES IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE GM P/N 12345836, SAE 75W-90 VEHICLES IN COLD CLIMATES SYNTHETIC COLD CLIMATE FRONT WHEN EXCESSIVE SHIFT EFFORT AXLE LUBRICANT IS REQUIRED TO SHIFT INTO 4- WHEEL DRIVE

 

GEO (CHEVROLET) TRACKER GM P/N 12345977 OR AN SAE 80W-90 GL-5 GEAR LUBRICANT

 

PARTS INFORMATION:

 

PARTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO.

 

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

 

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

 

COPYRIGHT 1998 GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

 

 

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer".  They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle.  Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely.  If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.  See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

  WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

So, what does all this mean. Please excuse me, but its a little confusing! Can you tell me what I need? I have a 1999 2 DR Tahoe 4X4 LT with Z71 off-road package. I am unsure of what kind of fluid goes in what and if it needs limited slip additive or not. According to my dealer (who I spoke with just today), my truck needs the limited slip additive because it did not come from the factory with synthetic. The service advisor states that only the rear diffs with regular 80w-90 gear oil (non-synthetic) needs the limited slip additive. I had it changed this past friday, so should I get it changed again asap to get the limited slip additive out of it quickly? Thanks for all your help.

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

Sorry,I guess it is a little confusing being that long,plus it covers quite a few vehicles.

The short of the story is you can run synthetic fluid in the front,There is a bulletin that GM came out with on the "Old-Body-Style" trucks such as yours to switch to synthetic fluid in the frt.axle in cold-climates to help the frt.diff. actuator engage quicker and easier.If you want to run GM synthetic fluid the newest part number is 89021677.

And I don't care what the dealer told you NO ADDITIVE IS NEEDED!

If you go through and read the bulletin I posted it says a couple of times "DO NOT ADD LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE"

Print out the bulletin I posted and show it to your dealer.

I have seen here a few times where guys add it and it just made matters worse,But on the other hand I have also seen guys add it and have no problems at all.

Hopefully this clears things up,If not let me know. :mad:

Rich.

  • 4 months later...
azswede1960 Enthusiast

azswede1960

Posted
Posted

So after reading this post, I have a question, IF the mechanic SUCKS out the fluid, since there is not a drain plug AND bolts were NOT removed, HOW was the rear differential magnet cleaned of ANY metals that has been accumilated over the years?

 

Sounds like to me, the cover HAS to be removed to properly do the job ....... and a new gasket put on ????? :shakehead:

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