Fluid Change Questions

[trawickjj]

About to do some maintenance on my 03 Sierra, Z71, 5.3. Changing front and rear differential fluid, tranfer case fluid, and transmission fluid and filter. I know what I need to do but have a few questions.

 

1. What should the bolts be torqued to on the differentials, transmission, and transfer case? Do they need to be torqued or is it ok to just snug em up good?

2. How much fluid can I expect to replace/should i buy for each?

3. Any tips, things to look out for, things you learned the hard way, etc. doing this?

 

Thanks,

JT

[gccoley]

Go to site and enter your truck info and it will tell you your capacities and the torque specifications for your truck. http://www.amsoil.com/scripts/runisa.dll?amsoiloaf:index

[Black02Silverado]

Yep, that will cover most of it. In general five qts of gear oil will cover your front and rear diff. The rear takes just over 2qts and the front is just shy of 2qts. I didn't torque my diff cover but it is a good idea. I just made sure they were snug using a 1/4" setup that way I didn't over tighten them.

 

The transfer case if you have the push button style uses Auto Trax II fluid only and you can get that at any GM dealer.

 

If you are doing a full fluid exchange to the transmission it will take 14qts. If only a pan and filter change then 6qts will cover it.

 

AMSOIL's Severe Gear 75w-90 fluid is what I would recommend if you decided to use AMSOIL for the diff's.

 

There is a section on this site that goes through some of the steps for what you want to do. I think it is in the Tech Section.

[C & A s Dad]

JT, if you have a drain plug in your trans pan, be prepared. If it has never been out, it was installed with a medium stregth thread locker compound at the factory. The drain plug is also pretty soft so it is very common for them to be "rounded off".

 

Use a good quality 1/2" drive impact (black) 6 point socket and get under the pan with your body so you can keep good upwards presure on the ratchet while you begin to loosen the plug. If you feel any slipage at all, stop. You will then need a small propane torch to slightly heat the drain plug. It does not take much heat at all to melt the thread locker.

 

You will likely not have any problems and will not need to heat it.

[az'03Silverado]

I managed to round my trans plug off. I tried those Craftsman Bolt-out things but it just shaved the bolt head to a nice circle. Next time I have the pan off I'm just going to get a B&M Aluminum trans pan to replace it.

[C & A s Dad]

If you get a new pan, you may want to look at yourcovers.com. I am going to attempt to post the link. undefined

 

If it does not work, you can find them by going to yourcovers.com.

 

I was looking at them in case I needed more cooling capacity for towing but so far my larger trans cooler is taking care of me.

[az'03Silverado]

Thanks a lot. That actually looks like a better pan. The diff cover looks real nice as well.

[jgorm]

I managed to round my trans plug off. I tried those Craftsman Bolt-out things but it just shaved the bolt head to a nice circle. Next time I have the pan off I'm just going to get a B&M Aluminum trans pan to replace it.

If you can get a pipe wrench on it, it will come off.

[Jigsy '00 Silver]

Here are the tightening specs.....

 

Front Drive Axle

Fastener Tightening Specifications Application Specification

Differential Adjuster Lock Nut Bolt 15 lb ft

Differential Carrier Assembly Case Bolts 35 lb ft

Differential Carrier Bracket to Frame Nuts 67 lb ft

Differential Carrier Assembly Mounting Bolts and Nuts 75 lb ft

Front Differential Carrier Shield Bolts 15 lb ft

Front Drive Axle Actuator 15 lb ft

Inner Shaft Housing to Bracket Nuts 75 lb ft

Inner Shaft Housing to Differential Carrier Assembly Bolts 30 lb ft

Pinion Shaft Lock Bolt, 9.25" axle 39 lb ft

Plug, Drain and Fill 24 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 8.25" Axle 89 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 9.25" Axle 102 lb ft

Stabilizer Link Nut 13 lb ft

Vent Hose Connector 21 lb ft

Wheel Drive Shaft Inboard Flange Bolts 58 lb ft

Wheel Drive Shaft to Front Hub Nut 177 lb ft

Yoke Retainer Bolts 18 lb ft

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Document ID# 879646

2003 GMC Truck GMC K Sierra - 4WD

 

 

Rear Drive Axle

Axle Flange Bolts, 10.5" Axle 115 lb ft

Axle Flange Bolts, 11.5" Axle 148 lb ft

Bearing Cap Bolts, 8.6" Axle 55 lb ft

Bearing Cap Bolts, 9.5" Axle 63 lb ft

Bearing Cap Bolts, 9.75" Axle 80 lb ft

Bearing Cap Bolts, 10.5" Axle 136 lb ft

Bearing Cap Bolts, 11.5" Axle 153 lb ft

Brake Backing Plate Bolts, All Except 9.75" Axle 103 lb ft

Brake Hose Bracket Bolt 16 lb ft

Brake Pipe Bracket to Rear Axle Bolts 16 lb ft

Brake Pipe Bracket to Rear Axle Nut 10 lb ft

Brake Pipe Junction Block Bolt 16 lb ft

Differential Bearing Adjuster Nut Lock Bolt, 9.5" Axle 19 lb ft

Differential Bearing Adjuster Nut Lock Bolt, 10.5" Axle 20 lb ft

Differential Bearing Adjuster Nut Lock Bolt, 11.5" Axle 20 lb ft

Differential Housing Cover Bolts, All Except 9.75" Axle 30 lb ft

Drain Plug, All Except 9.75" Axle 24 lb ft

Drain Plug, 9.75" Axle 20 lb ft

Fill Plug, All Except 9.75" Axle 24 lb ft

Fill Plug, 9.75" Axle 15 lb ft

Flex Hose Bracket Bolts 106 lb in

Jounce Bracket Bolt, 9.75" Axle 106 lb in

Pinion Bearing Cage Bolts, 10.5" Axle 65 lb ft

Pinion Shaft Lock Bolt, 8.6" Axle 27 lb ft

Pinion Shaft Lock Bolt, 9.5" Axle 37 lb ft

Pinion Yoke Nut, 9.75" Axle 273 lb ft

Propeller Shaft Retainer Bolts 18 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 8.6" Axle 89 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 9.5" Axle 103 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 9.75" Axle 131 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 10.5" Axle 122 lb ft

Ring Gear Bolts, 11.5" Axle 175 lb ft

Shock Absorber Nuts -- Lower 70 lb ft

Stabilizer Shaft Link Bolts 70 lb ft

Stabilizer Shaft U-bolt Nuts 24 lb ft

U-Bolt Nuts, 15 Series w/o RPO NYS 53 lb ft

U-Bolt Nuts, 15 Series w/ RPO NYS 110 lb ft

U-Bolt Nuts, 25/35 Series 110 lb ft

Wheel Hub Nut, 10.5", 11.5" Axle 52 lb ft

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Document ID# 793719

2003 GMC Truck GMC K Sierra - 4WD