'01 needs help on changing rear diff fluid
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield CA
'01 needs help on changing rear diff fluid
Hey,
haven't posted in awhile. I am looking to change the rear diff fluid. Anyone have any writeups/tips on doing this? Is a Torx tool needed at all? Is the fill hard to get to? Does Red Line have a better fluid than say Royal Purple. Thanks a bunch.
Ray
haven't posted in awhile. I am looking to change the rear diff fluid. Anyone have any writeups/tips on doing this? Is a Torx tool needed at all? Is the fill hard to get to? Does Red Line have a better fluid than say Royal Purple. Thanks a bunch.
Ray
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 2
From: Austin Texas
I changed it according to the manual. It doesn't take a torx that I remember. I think a half inch square works to get the drain plug out. I loosen and remove the fill plug first, then the drain. I also have a pump that screws down to the oil can, because there's no way to pour the gear oil into the diff. Be SURE the plugs are tight; last time I changed mine, I didn't get the drain plug all the way tight and ended up thinking I had a leak.
Also, depending on which fluid you use, don't forget the tube of limited slip additive. Most parts shops have that. Good luck.
Also, depending on which fluid you use, don't forget the tube of limited slip additive. Most parts shops have that. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
Ray,
I just changed mine and I used a 10mm allen socket. You can find them at most auto parts stores and I used a hand pump that I also purchased at the same store for 6 bucks. It will take about 1.7 Qts.
Chuck
I just changed mine and I used a 10mm allen socket. You can find them at most auto parts stores and I used a hand pump that I also purchased at the same store for 6 bucks. It will take about 1.7 Qts.
Chuck
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Easy
I just did mine as well - get a $6 pump and save lots of trouble. Don't foget the limited slip fluid. Mix it with some of the gear oil an pump it in. It's sort of hard to squirt it in otherwise. There is also 1 washer each for the drain/fill plugs. They are about a dollar each from the dealer. I'd suggest using them.
I also changed the (manual) transmission fluid while I was under there.
Good luck!
I also changed the (manual) transmission fluid while I was under there.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Ray,
The differential has 2 10mm hex plugs, one for draining, I believe it's on the passenger side at the low point. The fill plug is on the rear of the differential facing the back of the car.
Use the same method, drain then fill. The Differential takes 2 quarts of fluid.
Here's what I use in my Z06...
The differential has 2 10mm hex plugs, one for draining, I believe it's on the passenger side at the low point. The fill plug is on the rear of the differential facing the back of the car.
Use the same method, drain then fill. The Differential takes 2 quarts of fluid.
Here's what I use in my Z06...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Needs to be level for fill.. You can do it without raising it. Take the fill plug out of the back. Take the drain plug out of the bottom and let drain. Replace the drain plug. Mix your oil with positraction additive. Use a syphon plunger to pull oil out of the bottle and squirt it into the diff. Its full when it starts running back out the fill plug. Replace fill plug. Good idea to take short drive let set a while and double check the level.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield CA
Needs to be level for fill.. You can do it without raising it. Take the fill plug out of the back. Take the drain plug out of the bottom and let drain. Replace the drain plug. Mix your oil with positraction additive. Use a syphon plunger to pull oil out of the bottle and squirt it into the diff. Its full when it starts running back out the fill plug. Replace fill plug. Good idea to take short drive let set a while and double check the level.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi rayncris -
I have some pictures -
drain plug -
fill plug -
10mm hex wrench (allen) with an impact socket as a "handle".
drain plug crush washer detail.
best regards -
mqqn
I have some pictures -
drain plug -
fill plug -
10mm hex wrench (allen) with an impact socket as a "handle".
drain plug crush washer detail.
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 653
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield CA
guys, thanks for the advice! everything worked great. I also did the clutch fluid deal Ranger wrote up. Both fluids were deep brown. Car hauls serious *** now. Looking to swap out the tranny fluid with some Royal Purple later this week. I've been away for awhile, but this board is excellent. Thanks again!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Contact Patches. I used his write up, but you have enough information in this thread to do the job. Check because I cant remember off hand, but I thought it was 26 pounds of torque for the plugs. It was an easy 30 minute job.
I used a filler tube to transfer the fluid, and mixed a little limited slip fluid in with each push of the filler tube. After I put what I thought was enough fluid in, about a bottle and 3/4s, I let the car down without the filler plug in. I had a little over flow drip out so I jacked it back up, and removed a little, and let it back down. Nothing came out, so I jacked it back up and screwed in the filler plug.
I used a filler tube to transfer the fluid, and mixed a little limited slip fluid in with each push of the filler tube. After I put what I thought was enough fluid in, about a bottle and 3/4s, I let the car down without the filler plug in. I had a little over flow drip out so I jacked it back up, and removed a little, and let it back down. Nothing came out, so I jacked it back up and screwed in the filler plug.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi jgump -
Look at post #10 in this thread, where you will find a picture showing the crush washer - it is on both plugs.
best regards -
mqqn
Look at post #10 in this thread, where you will find a picture showing the crush washer - it is on both plugs.
best regards -
mqqn