Differential service
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Differential service
Anybody have some tips on draining/servicing differentials? I'd like to siphon out the old oil through the fill cap, but the fluid is quite thick and uncooperative. (Obviously not changed in a long time).
I'd rather not dismantle anything to access the differential's cover, so if there's an easier alternative I'd like to know about it. Thanks.
I'd rather not dismantle anything to access the differential's cover, so if there's an easier alternative I'd like to know about it. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Can't you use a the type of pump used to pump the oil from a bottle into the diff? You'd have to add a piece of tubing onto it so you could get it into the diff but that shouldn't be hard. That's my plan for when I change my diff fluid.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Yeah, that's where I'm heading. But I was hoping to remove as much of the cruddy oil as I can, and it's pretty darn thick. Maybe a ride around town would warm it up enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
It's a little time consuming but not hard to do if you wanted to drop it and really clean it out.
It's takes a while even with the cover off for the oil to drain to the bottom so I used brake cleaner and washed it down with a lot of rags. The amount of sludge that settle to the bottom could clearly be seen.
While I had it all apart I cleaned and painted the pieces to look new again.
It's takes a while even with the cover off for the oil to drain to the bottom so I used brake cleaner and washed it down with a lot of rags. The amount of sludge that settle to the bottom could clearly be seen.
While I had it all apart I cleaned and painted the pieces to look new again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Approximately how much room is available atop the diff once everything's removed for access?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
You could take precautions like putting grease on the drill bit and going slow. Chances are that the oil coming out will flush out any chips anyway. The case is only about 1/4" thick in that area.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
1. Remove the right rear tire for easier access to the differential filler plug.
2. A 5/8" 8 pointed socket makes it easy to remove the filler plug.
3. Use a suction gun to remove the fluid similar to this tool:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...245_0361176035
2. A 5/8" 8 pointed socket makes it easy to remove the filler plug.
3. Use a suction gun to remove the fluid similar to this tool:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...245_0361176035
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 19
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Just did this last weekend. Used mighty vac suction can. Worked like a charm and got all out.
KISS. Just suck it out and get n down road unless you feel there might be issues you need to investigate.
I used GL-5 80-90 gear oil from Lucas. And then a 4oz bottle of the GM limited slip diff additive.
KISS. Just suck it out and get n down road unless you feel there might be issues you need to investigate.
I used GL-5 80-90 gear oil from Lucas. And then a 4oz bottle of the GM limited slip diff additive.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I used a suction gun the last time I did it.
Shop did it for me one time and they used an air gun and a tube to siphon it out. That worked *really* well. And messy.
That fluid had a lot of side yoke in it...
But I kept driving it for another 10+ years.
Shop did it for me one time and they used an air gun and a tube to siphon it out. That worked *really* well. And messy.
That fluid had a lot of side yoke in it...
But I kept driving it for another 10+ years.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
I suppose it says something about GM diffs (and/or your courage) that 10+ years of driving didn't (noticeably) hurt the workings.
Thanks, sir! How've you been, by the way? Apologies for being out of touch.
