Rear End Oil Change At 1500 Kms?

[Silver Wraith]

OK, so I had my 08 Silverado in for oil change at the Chev dealer in my city, and the service guy says that you haven't had your rear end oil changed yet, you should get it done. I replied that the truck only has like 22000 kms on it, why would I need that? The guy says that it's supposed to be done the first time at like 1500 kms then every 50 000 or so after that. He says they have a lot of crap in them early on. Rather than do research, I trusted the guy's word as he sounded very convincing. Cost me over a hundred bucks. I've since been through the manual and can find no reference to servicing the rear axle for a 2wd truck...ever. And I can't find any reference to it on here. I'm ~this~ close to taking the receipt back to the dealer and ripping a strip off them for gouging me, but I thought I'd check here first. Anyone know anything about this?

[Zembonez]

It's a hoax.

 

Typical dealer stroking the customers for cash. I'd give them hell.

[Silver Wraith]

It's a hoax.

 

Typical dealer stroking the customers for cash. I'd give them hell.

 

 

I found a reference somewhere to changing it after 500 miles of heavy towing. I've never towed..though he didn't ask me that.

 

I've even been on the eaton site.

 

Unless I hear otherwise, I'm going to go in, and ask him to show me anywhere...either from GM or Eaton...that backs this up or I want my money back. Wish me luck.

[Raymond Lowe]

OK, so I had my 08 Silverado in for oil change at the Chev dealer in my city, and the service guy says that you haven't had your rear end oil changed yet, you should get it done. I replied that the truck only has like 22000 kms on it, why would I need that? The guy says that it's supposed to be done the first time at like 1500 kms then every 50 000 or so after that. He says they have a lot of crap in them early on. Rather than do research, I trusted the guy's word as he sounded very convincing. Cost me over a hundred bucks. I've since been through the manual and can find no reference to servicing the rear axle for a 2wd truck...ever. And I can't find any reference to it on here. I'm ~this~ close to taking the receipt back to the dealer and ripping a strip off them for gouging me, but I thought I'd check here first. Anyone know anything about this?

 

Someone in another thread came up with a pretty good answer. Apparently, the new 2007+ trucks use a factory fill of synthetic diff oil and do not specify any oil changes. With normal use, it's suppose to last practically forever. Previous versions of GM trucks used regular diff oil and needed those changes.

 

That said, if you do any towing, I would change it after a few good sessions towing a trailer. Under heavy towing load, the ring and pinion really heat up everything as the teeth take a set. This makes the oil a little dark and loads it up with particulate. A few of us Denali owners have changed ours after 5K and found the oil pretty dark (close to black). I wouldn't say you got hosed - as long as the dealer used the OE specified 75W90 synthetic.

[MS3DALE]

I always change mine for the first time around 3,000 miles.

You'd be surprised how much "crap" is in there!

And 100 bucks isn't too bad,The fluid runs around $25 bucks a bottle,and you need three of them.

[MS3DALE]

Apparently, the new 2007+ trucks use a factory fill of synthetic diff oil and do not specify any oil changes. With normal use, it's suppose to last practically forever. Previous versions of GM trucks used regular diff oil and needed those changes.

 

The '99-up GMT800 trucks also used synthetic diff oil in the rear.

 

I still changed mine for the first time at 3,000 miles even in my '99 & '04 trucks.

 

That being said,It is "suppose" to be "filled for life" under "normal" use.

[Outbacker]

Is there any reference anywhere that states this, the changing the rear diff oil after a short period if towing? I tow a 5K trailer and have done so a few times since I bought the truck, but the thought to change the rear end before 50K never occurred. I will call my dealership tomorrow and ask.

[MS3DALE]

Hold on,I think I can find it....

[MS3DALE]

Heck,Its doesn't mention a darn thing about changing it anymore!!!!

This is all I could find....

 

Service Information

2008 Chevrolet Silverado - 4WD | Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual | Maintenance Schedule | Maintenance Schedule | Maintenance | Document ID: 1651510

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

 

Rear Axle:

When to Check Lubricant

It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle fluid unless you suspect there is a leak or you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss could indicate a problem. Have it inspected and repaired.

 

All axle assemblies are filled by volume of fluid during production. They are not filled to reach a certain level. When checking the fluid level on any axle, variations in the readings can be caused by factory fill differences between the minimum and the maximum fluid volume. Also, if a vehicle has just been driven before checking the fluid level, it may appear lower than normal because fluid has traveled out along the axle tubes and has not drained back to the sump area. Therefore, a reading taken five minutes after the vehicle has been driven will appear to have a lower fluid level than a vehicle that has been stationary for an hour or two. Remember that the rear axle assembly must be supported to get a true reading.

 

 

To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface.

 

• For all 4.3L, 4.8L and 5.3L 1500 Series applications, the proper level is 0.04 inches to 0.75 inches (1.0mm to 19.0mm) below the bottom of the filler hole, located on the rear axle. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.

 

• For all 6.0L 1500 Series applications, the proper level is from 0.6 inches to 1.6 inches (15mm to 40mm) below the bottom of the filler plug hole, located on the rear axle. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.

 

• For all 6.0L 2500HD Series applications, the proper level is from 0 to 0.5 inches (0mm to 13mm) below the bottom of the filler plug hole, located on the rear axle. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.

 

• For all 6.6L DURAMAX DIESEL 2500HD Series applications and all 3500 Series applications, the proper level is from 0.6 inches to 0.8 inches (17mm to 21mm) below the bottom of the filler plug hole, located on the rear axle. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level.

 

What to Use:

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .

[dlstewart01]

Its just a good idea. I always change my diff fluid out the first time between 1500 and not later than 3000 miles. There is crud that comes out after brake-in. Just cheap insurance.

 

My opinion,

 

Don

[MS3DALE]

Its just a good idea. I always change my diff fluid out the first time between 1500 and not later than 3000 miles. There is crud that comes out after brake-in. Just cheap insurance.

 

My opinion,

 

Don

 

+1

 

 

 

[scrapdaddy]

do these nbs trucks have a drain plug on the diff or do we have to pull the diff cover off to change the oil?

 

my 02 sierra had a drain, and i havent had a chance to check my nbs truck

[MS3DALE]

do these nbs trucks have a drain plug on the diff or do we have to pull the diff cover off to change the oil?

 

my 02 sierra had a drain, and i havent had a chance to check my nbs truck

 

Only if its an HD,or a 1/2-ton with the 6-liter (That has the 9.5" rear-end) will it have a drain plug,otherwise you must pull the cover off,they took the drain plug out in '03 on the 1/2-tons.

[pm26]

My '93 Suzuki GSX 1100G motorcycle had a drive shaft and the owner's manual said to change the rear gear lube at 600 miles, which I did. I have never done this on any car or truck this early, as none of those required it by the owner's manual. Typically every 30k miles is sufficient, especially with synthetic lubricants, even if you tow or offroad. More important than oil changes is the proper lubricant level. And in that category, GM succeeded in giving the most ridiculous parameters ever for proper oil level. Every other vehicle I have ever owned needed filling it to the bottom of the fill plug. My Silverado requires sticking in a bent paper clip to check the oil level as the proper level is something like between 3/4 to 1/4 inch below the fill plug bottom. Ridiculous.

[JoshRDavis.84]

FWIW I changed my front and rear for the first time at 30,000