Changing Fluids
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Florida
Changing Fluids
I change my own oil but I would like to do my T-56 Trans and my Differential also can you experts suggest what is needed to do both i.e. tool & socket sizes? etc. How do you drain these fluids? etc.-I already have a 3 ton floor jack & stands. I want to do my own because 1) I don't trust anybody else and 2) from reading some of the threads I understand if you race your car its a good idea to change your transmission fluid often.. Thanks in advance 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,261
Likes: 1,431
From: Brentwood CA
There is a good DIY instruction thread in the FAQ section (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1497063) for the differential oil change. The only thing I would do differently is to use a pump to get the oil into the differential, instead of doing it the way described in the thread. If you change the oil with Amsoil, you can purchase a pump from them that works great for this purpose. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
One thing to keep in mind when changing these fluids: make sure that the upper (fill) plug is loose, before you drain! Chances are you wouldn't have a problem, but I heard about a guy who pulled the drain plug and then could not get the fill plug to budge! Took many anxious minutes, expletives, bleeding fingers, etc. to save the day. 
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm no expert but changing the transmission and differential fluids aren't that hard to do. There are some good DIY instructions on the FAQs page.
I didn't have lots of room using a Craftsman floor jack and jack stands but it wasn't impossible. Make sure you have the car safely secured before you work under it...I left the jack under the car and used jack stands including a couple extra stands for added safety.
Make sure you can loosen/remove the fill plugs before you drain the tranny or differential fluids. You don't want to drain your tranny or differential and then discover you can't remove the fill plugs. Know what the correct torque values are supposed to be.
After draining the transmission fluid, I tried to pressure pump the new Royal Purple fluid directly from the container using a small air pump inserted into the bottle. That didn't work so well so I resorted to using a small hand-held pump.
After changing differential fluid there's a break-in period. I believe GM advises not to go WOT for at least 300 miles or it might lead to differential noise.
I didn't have lots of room using a Craftsman floor jack and jack stands but it wasn't impossible. Make sure you have the car safely secured before you work under it...I left the jack under the car and used jack stands including a couple extra stands for added safety.
Make sure you can loosen/remove the fill plugs before you drain the tranny or differential fluids. You don't want to drain your tranny or differential and then discover you can't remove the fill plugs. Know what the correct torque values are supposed to be.
After draining the transmission fluid, I tried to pressure pump the new Royal Purple fluid directly from the container using a small air pump inserted into the bottle. That didn't work so well so I resorted to using a small hand-held pump.
After changing differential fluid there's a break-in period. I believe GM advises not to go WOT for at least 300 miles or it might lead to differential noise.
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
i backed the car onto rhino ramps and then jacked up the front and placed jack stands to level out the car. You can use a 3/8 socket wrench (without a socket) for the drain and fill plugs on the transmission, make sure you have a large catch can for the tranny oil b/c it will gush out.
Definitely get a hand pump (about $10 at pepboys) the one that you put the fluid in it and has a flexible hose at the end to manuever around the tight space to reach the fill hole. I didn't worry about the small amount of oil in the tranny oil cooler. Just drained and refilled.
For the differential, do a search for a nicely detailed writeup.
Definitely get a hand pump (about $10 at pepboys) the one that you put the fluid in it and has a flexible hose at the end to manuever around the tight space to reach the fill hole. I didn't worry about the small amount of oil in the tranny oil cooler. Just drained and refilled.
For the differential, do a search for a nicely detailed writeup.
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
