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differential fluid change

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Old Jan 14, 2010 | 08:36 PM
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Default differential fluid change

Is it true that you have to take the leaf spring off to change diff. fluid? I have taken this thing to two shops and both sent me away cause they didnt want to do the job thanks!
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Old Jan 14, 2010 | 09:17 PM
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I just pull the plug and pump it out with a hand pump on the 72 & 79
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Old Jan 14, 2010 | 09:20 PM
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If you want to remove the cover to get all of the oil out you do, but if not you can just do as mentioned above. You can use a pump to suck out the old fluid and drop in the new fluid. Good luck.
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Old Jan 14, 2010 | 10:00 PM
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yeah I had a shop say they couldnt get their wrench in to get the plug out because of the leaf spring and exhaust I am buying a jack tomorrow! I am tired of nobody wanting to work on this car geesh
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Old Jan 14, 2010 | 10:05 PM
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Just knock down the spare tire carrier and the bolt will be easier to access.
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Old Jan 14, 2010 | 10:53 PM
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Originally Posted by crazy4c4
yeah I had a shop say they couldnt get their wrench in to get the plug out because of the leaf spring and exhaust I am buying a jack tomorrow! I am tired of nobody wanting to work on this car geesh
Use the stock jack to raise it then use a stand, remove the rear passenger side wheel. You can easily see the plug, take it out with an allen wrench. You can sit right there and reach it to pump it out easily. I suck it out with a huge syringe and plastic tube, clean it and use the same setup and refill it. Fairly simple.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 08:43 AM
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awesome you guys are the best thanks!
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 10:04 AM
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No. But if the fill (drain) plug is frozen in place, you may have to drop the spare tire and carrier to get a long breaker pipe in there to free up the plug.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by crazy4c4
yeah I had a shop say they couldnt get their wrench in to get the plug out because of the leaf spring and exhaust I am buying a jack tomorrow!
That's the spirit, and don't forget the jack stands!

I am tired of nobody wanting to work on this car geesh
Try getting one towed...

...most tow drivers don't like vette's
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 12:55 PM
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I think it's a 13mm 12 point socket that will fit right over that square headed fill plug. Try it with a long extention on you socket wrench, it makes life a lot easier than trying to get space to turn an open end wrench. No need to remove the wheel or spare tire carrier. Then as others said, just use something to suck out all the old fluid. Make sure to use the posi additive when refilling. I believe if you're using the GM fluid as many recommend here, use 2 bottles of gear oil, and one bottle of posi additive.
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Old Jan 15, 2010 | 02:16 PM
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When changing oil on a diff that I have no idea about its past maintenanceormilage on oil, I like to waste one bottle to clean the diff out. Suck out the old oil, pump in one bottle of new; spin the rear by hand a while then suck that oil out. Now refill with fresh oil and additive.
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