Axle Fluid

[wezsitat]

If my axle has been under water, would it be smart to replace the fluid?

Shawn

 

[aldive]

Yes it would.

 

[unclemeat]

You should at least check it front and rear. It would also be a good idea to repack your front bearings abd check you transmission and transfercase fluids.

 

[wezsitat]

Axle

How difficult is it to change the fluid? I'm not much of a mechanic, but I can do more than the basics... usally.

The bearings look good, as does tranny fluid. I'll have to check the transfer case. I should do a search before I ask "how"...

 

[rookieshooter]

u can do it. After searching go get the right fluids and at least a repair manual at the auto store and have at it. And just how deep was this water and were you in it for a long time?

 

[Creager]

Changing the rear-end fluid is pretty straight forward.

You are going to need.
- A 10mm socket (I think its 10mm)
- A big, short bucket to drain the oil into or a plastic bag with some duct tape (will explain later)
- 3 quarts of 80w-90 gear oil (cheap stuff) or if you have a factory limited slip, or you want to just go with a better oil (better usually means better miles per gallon also) 70w-90 synthetic gear oil (Amsoil is a popular brand)
- 3/8 drive socket extension (for fill plug on the front of the differential housing, directly left of the pinion/driveshaft)
- A new Gasket... Felpro makes a pre-made cork gasket available at most auto parts stores... for cheap.
- Some RTV (I like RED, but a lot of people use BLACK for this kind of stuff)
- A razor blade

What you need to do
1) Put the pan underneath the differential cover. Or here this is where your plastic bag comes in handy. Use the duct tape to tape the corners of the bag to the front of the differential, and stretch it around front and tape other side of the bag to the sway bar. Works pretty good.

2) Unbolt the 10 cover bolts from differential. Once you get them all out you are going to probably have to pry at it to get it loose, but once it does... OIL IS GOING EVERYWHERE!! Haha this is where the bag comes in handy.

3) Now get out a razor blade. You got to scrape off all of the old gasket/silicone from around where cover was. Make sure its basically bare metal before you call it done, failing to get the entire old gasket off will cause leaks later.

4) make sure to scrape all the old crap off the edges of the differential cover too! BARE!

5) Go around the middle of the gasket with RTV. You want to make a complete trip with the RTV around the gasket, on BOTH sides (might not be necessary, but I do it, more the better) Smoosh the gasket onto the cover...

6) Smoosh the cover+gasketw/tons of RTV onto the differential.

7) Torque down all the cover bolts to 35ftlbs (I think?)

8) Then go around back, with you 3/8 drive ratchet and extension, and you will see a little fill plug. It will be on the right side of the pinion (from looking at it head on). The end of the extension should fit right into the female part of the little fill plug. Once you get the plug out, proceed to fill the differential with 2.5 quarts of gear oil. You are probably going to need a funnel that has a hose attached to it

9) Reinstall the fill plug/magnet and you’re DONE! It should be good to go unless I forgot something...


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Dont worry about the Aenema... it wont hurt

 

[aldive]

You can forgo the gasket; use RTV instead.

 

[Hartman]

Yeah don't even bother with a gasket.

 

[Lee S.]

Changing the Tranny fluid is a pain. The only way i was able to do it was by putting a hose on one end of the bottle, and SHOVING it way up into the engine compartment. You have to watch it because its a REALLY tight spot down there. it was still practically impossible with a body lift. i probably spilled more ATF then what i actually got in the tranny. The best way would probably be to take the shift boot off and fill through there. I couldnt because my hose wasnt long enough

I've never heard of this method so I've gotta ask it... Is this for an enema :mattmoon: or a tranny fluid change?

 

[rookieshooter]

Agree about not using gasket. My diff cover is machined is such a way that no gasket is used. Get yourself that manual you will need for torque specs and tightining sequance. when using just RTV with now gasket it is important not to over torque. I think it is about 15 to 20 foot lbs. on the rear axel and lot of times it's measured in inch pounds on the tranny cover. Let us know how you did

 

[Creager]

I've never heard of this method so I've gotta ask it... Is this for an enema :mattmoon: or a tranny fluid change?

Aenema? ahah you crazy basturd... i read it over again now im gonna delete it haha

That is for the manual, never changed the fluid on an auto tranny.

Pain the ARSE. id rather drop it next time i change the fluid hahah.

 

[Lee S.]

Aenema? ahah you crazy basturd... i read it over again now im gonna delete it haha

That is for the manual, never changed the fluid on an auto tranny.

Pain the ARSE. id rather drop it next time i change the fluid hahah.

Oh... I get it now. It's for a manual. I guess I live in the auto tranny world where the procedure is more mechanical than medical.

 

[Creager]

Oh... I get it now. It's for a manual. I guess I live in the auto tranny world where the procedure is more mechanical than medical.

haha nurse were loosin' him, check the pulse.

 

[Infragate]

I've never heard of this method so I've gotta ask it... Is this for an enema :mattmoon: or a tranny fluid change?

LMAO, thats funny chit!