C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

1996 differential fluid

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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 08:43 PM
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Default 1996 differential fluid

I have noticed gear noise on my 1996 LT1. I put it up on the lift and tried to change the rear end fluid. The drain plug is cross threaded and no matter how hard I tried, It would not come loose. Any suggestions?
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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 09:04 PM
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There is no drain plug, only a fill plug?
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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 09:07 PM
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yes there is no drain plug
Try a miti-vac pump to get the fluid out.
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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 11:38 PM
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Use a hex socket to loosen the filler plug. Use a 13mm to loosen the rear axle drain plug.
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 12:24 AM
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C4 Guru - Changing Differential Fluid.
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by slicked25
Use a 13mm to loosen the rear axle drain plug.
Have a picture of the drain plug?
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 04:27 AM
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http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d802128ac.jsp
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 05:16 AM
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Default GM Limited Slip Additive

In '79 my (Special Edition) Trans Am (yeah, I know gold pin striped and all ) had a VERY noisy clutch pack (rear end)....noticed whenever I turned a corner. GM dealer said: "Oh, you just need this lubricant additive to 'loosen up' the clutches...BUT it really isn't a problem, except for the noise". So I added it and fixed the noise.

Always thought I compromised the clutches, though.
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 05:19 AM
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Still locked up though.


Sortta.
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by F1Fan
yes there is no drain plug
Try a miti-vac pump to get the fluid out.

Easiest solution: use the pump that F1Fan suggested, or a cheaper hand oil pump from NAPA...

Larry
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Last edited by rocco16; Jan 22, 2007 at 01:44 PM.
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 03:22 PM
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From this write-up:

The gear lubricant in the rear axle should be checked every 12 months or 15,000 miles (24,000km).

The rear axle should have the gear lubricant changed every 7,500 miles (12,000km).

What am I missing here?
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by slicked25
Use a 13mm to loosen the rear axle drain plug.
Interesting, but this doesn't look like a C4 diff?

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Old Jan 23, 2007 | 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
Interesting, but this doesn't look like a C4 diff?

But the rear Y-pipe and composite rear leaf spring are undeniably C4-esque.
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Old Jan 23, 2007 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
Interesting, but this doesn't look like a C4 diff?


The interesting thing about the AutoZone instructions is that they credit that center bolt with being a drain plug.
The FSM makes no mention of any drain plug in the Danas.

Anyone ever pull this bolt to find out if AutoZone knows more than we know about this? (You will notice that the AutoZone picture taken after that bolt has been removed does not show any fluid running out of the hole...maybe this tells us something?)


Larry
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Last edited by rocco16; Jan 23, 2007 at 09:53 AM.
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Old Jan 23, 2007 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by jrzvette
...
The rear axle should have the gear lubricant changed every 7,500 miles (12,000km).
FYI,
C4 Guru says 30k to 50k miles, unless you race, then more frequent.
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Old Jan 23, 2007 | 10:40 PM
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Default C4 drain plug

A few years ago either Corvette Fever or Vette Magazine had an article on how to drill and tap a hole in the C4's differential housing to install a drain plug. As a result of the article, some C4's may have a drain plug. My 85 and 96 LT4 are still untouched, I use the ole siphon pump that I have always used on the 68 and 70.
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Old Jan 23, 2007 | 10:49 PM
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I was going to use the pump when I decided to see if it would siphon out on its own
It did But very slowly
I ran the hose through the right rear wheel well and refilled it by just raising the hose and squeezing the gear lube bottle with the end stuck into the hose

Worked great

V-idiot you should just treat it as if it has no drain plug like it came from the factory
or you could get it on a lift and use a breaker bar to loosen it Then re-tap it and put in a new plug
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Old Jan 23, 2007 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by rocco16

Anyone ever pull this bolt to find out if AutoZone knows more than we know about this? (You will notice that the AutoZone picture taken after that bolt has been removed does not show any fluid running out of the hole...maybe this tells us something?)

Larry
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Well in the interest of scientific investigation, this evening I went out and pulled this bolt out of my '96.

Just like the picture shows, nothing came out. Dang, I guess it's back to the suction pump.

Cheers,

Lawrence
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 08:27 AM
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Use a Mity-Vac or one of those cheapie, hand-pumps at Harbor Freight Tools.



They even have one model in the J.C. Whitney catalog that attaches to a 1/4" electric drill and is excellent for transfering fluids like engine coolant, PS fluid or rear-diff oil.
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Old Jan 24, 2007 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by TrackDayLT4
Well in the interest of scientific investigation, this evening I went out and pulled this bolt out of my '96.
Just like the picture shows, nothing came out.
Thanks, Lawrence. I guess you've answered that question.

Larry
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