Doulop

Hi guys, my car has 111,000 miles on it. I have owned it since 92,000 miles. I am wanting to do a transmission fluid change on it. Is there a drain plug? I have read some places where you have to drop the pan. Is that correct? That seems weird. Is there a filter that needs replaced too?
Also, I saw somewhere about changing differential fluid. When does this need done?
Thank you for your help!

JimLentz

On the ZF6 there is a drain plug and fill plug. Always make sure you can remove the fill plug before you remove the drain plug. Unless you have service records for a change of the differential fluid you should change it. There is a fill plug, but no drain plug. The easiest way to drain it is to use one of the inexpensive hand operated oil pumps. Be sure you add the GM additive when you fill the differential.

Doulop

Thank you so much for your quick response. That is awesome news. I believe I will change the differential fluid as well. I am assuming that if I bought the fluid from a Chevrolet dealership they will know what to give me?

JimLentz

I believe a dealer would have what you need to fill the differential. The plugs on the transmission are 17mm hex, which I bought cheap as part of a set from a local auto parts store. I ended up using a 1/2" breaker bar and they came loose relatively easily, but the underside of my '92 is pretty clean. I am not sure about the size of the plug on the differential.

WVZR-1

For your ZF 6MT - Remove the fill plug before you remove the drain plug. Because they're very inexpensive I'd suggest a buy of new plugs or at least 1 in case of issues.

If there's a VW dealer in the area the plugs are very inexpensive. Order 1 or 2 WHT-001-937 but don't let them substitute a newer replacement part # for it. An AUDI dealer should work also. The number I mention is the original M17 but the newer service part is a spline drive. They offer both or they have in the very recent past. Less than $12 should buy you a pair.

I won't debate the lubrication picks, there's an abundance of threads already for that.

If a local dealer still had some GM# 1052931 that would be the original product and there are still dealers with it. Any substitutes they offer I'd be somewhat reluctant to use.

Doulop

Thank you so much, again, for your help!!

WVZR-1

Never had an issue with a fill plug but for the drain plug and a "no known" recent service have always used an impact driver before any attempt to wrench it. Even if we have air we often use a "blunt tip" and an air chisel before wrenching. It's come to be a habit for HEX socket pipe pugs in anything, zero turn differentials last week and probably tomorrow for another pair.

IHBD - I believe VW/Audi consider the spline drive XZN or triple-square.

DGXR

I believe the differential plug is a 10mm hex. You can use a large allen wrench "hex key" or... I ended up using a 10mm hex socket (a tool very similar to what I use on the 6-speed plugs) and put a small pipe wrench around the end to torque it off. Yes it chewed the hex socket a bit but I don't care, it works great. There's not much room next to the differential for fitting stuff in there for removing the plug.

WVZR-1

I'm quite sure 3/8" HEX is correct for the differential plug - I don't know that you could force an M10 but it's much easier I believe to just have the right stuff.

DGXR

My 10mm does fit, barely. No forcing needed.