AZS2KDancer

Fluid mix?

I used my fluid pump for the transmission fluid 2 weeks ago. This weekend, I want to do my differential fluid. Can I use the same pump for both fluids?

wisdom

Yeah. Either run 1-2 pumps of the new diff fluid to flush out the trans fluid. Or you can use the old diff fluid.

AZS2KDancer

Thanks. I'm glad to learn something new all the time.

AZS2KDancer

I just drained my diff fluid and I don't see the drain bolt washer that I am supposed to remove. Could it be smashed into the diff housing or maybe not there from the last change? I've had no leaks that I know of or seen. I'm just not seeing the old washer???

AZS2KDancer

I put a new washer on the drain bolt and tightened it up to 33 ft lb. Then after filling the differential fluid, I put the fill bolt and new washer in hand tight. For some reason, I can't seem to set the 23mm box end wrench onto the fill bolt to snug it up. It's a Craftsman 21mm/23mm box end. The 21 sure doesn't fit, but I can't figure out how I got the bolt loose with the 23mm end and now can't seem to set it in place to tighten it.

zeroptzero

I got tired of pumping fluid in the diff as well as the tranny, I now use funnels and clear tubing, I have one dedicated funnel and tube for the diff and one for the tranny. I find it much simpler than messing with leaky pumps which never seem to last or work that well for me.

Car Analogy

OK, so how do you get the funnel higher than the fill hole?

Oats

I changed my fluid today and am concerned with what I saw. The drain plug magnet has larger than I expected pieces of metal on it.



I just got the car. The fluid I drained out didn't look bad, I read some people saying theirs was like sludge. Mine pretty much looked like regular oil pouring out.

Soviet

clear and concise. thanks!

Chuck S

Thanks to all the contributors to this forum I'm happy to say I was able to change the differential fluid in my '06 all by myself today. 23mm box and 24mm socket are correct since these were not swapped by an earlier change -- if there ever was one, the service records are silent. Came out black. Went in red. At 40K miles and new to me I figured I may as well start maintaining the lil' critter myself.

Nothing on the magnet but a small bit of sludge which I assume is steel "dust." No shavings or anything I could feel with bare fingers.

So far, so good!

-- Chuck