Replacing Rear Differential Fluid - Worth or no?
#1
Replacing Rear Differential Fluid - Worth or no?
So backstory first.
I took my 650whp A8 z06 to the track and broke the rear differential, got it replaced under warranty, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Got around 500 miles on the new OEM rear differential, should I have them replace the fluid for ~200$ or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks,
Mike
I took my 650whp A8 z06 to the track and broke the rear differential, got it replaced under warranty, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Got around 500 miles on the new OEM rear differential, should I have them replace the fluid for ~200$ or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks,
Mike
#2
So backstory first.
I took my 650whp A8 z06 to the track and broke the rear differential, got it replaced under warranty, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Got around 500 miles on the new OEM rear differential, should I have them replace the fluid for ~200$ or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks,
Mike
I took my 650whp A8 z06 to the track and broke the rear differential, got it replaced under warranty, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Got around 500 miles on the new OEM rear differential, should I have them replace the fluid for ~200$ or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks,
Mike
#3
Drifting
Definitely worth it as it is so simple to do and removes the assembly lube and small metal particles that result from break-in. If possible, you can save some money and do it yourself. It is easy...open fill plug, open drain plug, drain, close drain plug, fill, replace fill plug.
#5
Le Mans Master
So backstory first.
I took my 650whp A8 z06 to the track and broke the rear differential, got it replaced under warranty, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Got around 500 miles on the new OEM rear differential, should I have them replace the fluid for ~200$ or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks,
Mike
I took my 650whp A8 z06 to the track and broke the rear differential, got it replaced under warranty, and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Got around 500 miles on the new OEM rear differential, should I have them replace the fluid for ~200$ or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks,
Mike
Waste of money.
Does Chevy "break" in every differential and change the fluid before selling every car and truck?
#7
#8
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Metro Detroit Michigan
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#9
I just did mine at 2500 miles. Old fluid had a noticeable amount of fine metal particles in it, and the magnetic drain plug had a little over an 1/8" of metallic sludge on it. I didn't save and measure the old fluid to see if it had been underfilled, as some report.
Used a 3/8" flex head ratchet. Overall easy job, except for initially getting the ratchet into the fill plug, and a bit messy trying to get the fill plug screwed back in with oil running out the hole down my hand & arm.
Plan to keep my car for a long time...cheap insurance in my mind. Plus, I know it is properly filled and torqued.
Used a 3/8" flex head ratchet. Overall easy job, except for initially getting the ratchet into the fill plug, and a bit messy trying to get the fill plug screwed back in with oil running out the hole down my hand & arm.
Plan to keep my car for a long time...cheap insurance in my mind. Plus, I know it is properly filled and torqued.
#10
Melting Slicks
What is wrong with some of you guys? This is incredibly cheap insurance to try and prolong the life of and enhance the function of the rear diff. Why in the hell wouldn't you have this done, even if you never intend to track the car?
Bish
Bish
The following 2 users liked this post by thebishman:
Jimmyz28 (12-17-2017),
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#11
Drifting
Noticeable difference after swapping for high-quality synthetic. Even changing the good stuff after heavy track use as part of regular maintenance made a difference.
If your car is a DD or cars & coffee/garage queen variant, it's probably fine to stick with the factory maintenance schedule.
But I look at it like buying your SO flowers every now and again. Is it absolutely necessary? In most cases no. But it sure as hell never hurts!
#12
Race Director
Sounds like you may have overfilled your differential. The oil should be filled to the bottom of the fill plug. It houldnt be running out the hole.
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Hollingswerth (12-14-2017)
#17
Le Mans Master
#18
Intermediate
#19
Tech Contributor
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Bill
#20
Melting Slicks
After mine went through it's break in period we replaced ALL the fluids:
Transmission - Castrol ATF+4 full synthetic
Rear Diff - Mobil1 Delvac synthetic with friction modifier
Oil - 0w50 Mobil1 full synthetic
Brake - Castrol SRF
Transmission - Castrol ATF+4 full synthetic
Rear Diff - Mobil1 Delvac synthetic with friction modifier
Oil - 0w50 Mobil1 full synthetic
Brake - Castrol SRF