changing rear end fluid
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
yes, it needs to be pumped out, no it ain't hard! It will take longer to get the car up on jack stands... I ain't kidding.
go to pepboys and buy a Mighty-mite pump. It's about $10~$15, depending, and works like a champ.
Gordon Killebrew recommends using TWO bottles of GM Posi additive.
I am using that, plus enough Valvoline gear oil to bring it up to level.
As a side note, I am most impressed with the Valvoline line of synthetic products... brake fluid, power steering, gear oil, and most recently, engine oil.
go to pepboys and buy a Mighty-mite pump. It's about $10~$15, depending, and works like a champ.
Gordon Killebrew recommends using TWO bottles of GM Posi additive.
I am using that, plus enough Valvoline gear oil to bring it up to level.
As a side note, I am most impressed with the Valvoline line of synthetic products... brake fluid, power steering, gear oil, and most recently, engine oil.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 623
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by TheStef
What kind of gear oil exactly do you use? I know you use Valvoline, but I though there was different types of gear oil?
When and if you change it is kind of up to you. Stick a finger in it and look and smell. If it still looks new and doesn't smell bad, it's probably OK..
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
Originally Posted by TheStef
What kind of gear oil exactly do you use? I know you use Valvoline, but I though there was different types of gear oil?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Change pumpkin lube
Most of us will never change the diff. lube. We should probably change it every 50000 miles. Run the test--- put your finger in and look at the lube. If it is dark brown or black with over 50000 miles, change it. I use Valvoline synthetic gear lube.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by lefoy84
the transaxle fluid does not require changing.
They have transmissions (gearboxes) and they have rear ends (differentials). Both require periodic lubricant changes.
There was a recent thread on trans lubricants and the testing mentioned in that thread indicates that the lubricant breaks down fairly quickly and should be changed about every 30k miles, as someone has already mentioned.
Changing the rear end lube is more difficult than the trans (no drain plug), but it's not bad...just get a suction pump from NAPA and be ready for some isometrics.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,252
Likes: 6
From: The Colony Tx
A friend of mine who used to sell used Vettes used a turkey baster to remove the old fluid. He added a hose to the end and just made sure he squeezed before he put the hose in the fluid. Nice and cheap and worked for him.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
Originally Posted by aj1988
A friend of mine who used to sell used Vettes used a turkey baster to remove the old fluid. He added a hose to the end and just made sure he squeezed before he put the hose in the fluid. Nice and cheap and worked for him.
