Diff Fluid Change?

[Nacho98]

Called two places, the Chevy dealer and the local Valvoline instant oil change.

Valvoline wants $40, dealer wants $100. Obviously the dealer will always be more expensive, but the difference on this particular service is huge. Why would/could there be a huge discrepancy? Any reason I should shell out to have the dealer do it rather than the oil change monkeys?

 

[Slykin]

Do you not have a single jack? This can be done pretty dang easily in your driveway with very little tools.

 

[Nacho98]

its under my broinlaws truck with shit piled to the rafters so no

 

[joekd]

Do you have jack stands? If so go buy a cheap jack. If not time to make firends with someone who has a jack and stands

Myself, I wouldn't trust a valvoline or a chevy dealer to do it. If they seal the cover wrong it will leak, if they overfill you risk your seals going bad down the road, etc

 

[Nacho98]

jackstands are also under said truck

 

[joekd]

No friends or trusted local mechanic? If not then go buy a new set so you will have a spare

 

[Nacho98]

nope no car friends

no driveway either

id appreciate sticking to the topic

 

[joekd]

Topic was which would we choose, Valvoline or Chevy dealer right? Well the answer is neither

 

[Venom351R]

the stock diff cover sucks. At least with an aftermarket one you can drain/fill the oil w/ out taking it off. Do you not have any ford dealers close to you?

 

[SRT Handz]

I would find a local Transmission shop (one that rebuilds and only specializes in transmission) to do the work. I would purchase my own gear fluid so I know exactly what is going in the Diff. I would then take the fluid I purchased to the trans shop and have them change the fluid..... I would also watch them very carefully.

This is a very simple job that can be done at home..... But i choose NOT to do this at my home (even though i have done full on motor swaps in my garage) because its very messy AND its SMELLS LIKE SH*T. I did it once and it stunk my garage up for 2 weeks.

 

[CC'S95GT]

If you had a vacuum pump, you could suck out the old fluid without poping the cover off.

 

[gopher_6_9]

Yeah.... it's what 10 or 12 bolts, let it drain, wipe it out, clean the cover, apply silicon, re-install, fill diff? $40 probably isn't to bad... I think I paid like $8 a quart for gear oil last time, and then $5-6 for the limited slip additive..... It's up to you, but you asked for opinions? get off the computer and go work on your car! Kidding... kinda, but seriously, this is basic maintance that any car owner should be able to perform. If I had my way this would be part of a pre-driving test.

 

[justinschmidt1]

On this topic, how often should you actually change the diff fluid...I think im gonna change mine here again, feel like its been a while lol.

 

[Venom351R]

Should say in the service manual. Ive done so many gear swaps and rebuilds that I have never worried about it.

 

[SoCal_Nick]

$40 seems pretty cheap. Maybe that dosent include a new gasket? They probably just suck out the old and in with the new. The problem with that is it does not allow them to scrape out any tiny pieces of metal that might be in there. If $40 includes the whole job then Id say go for it. Make sure you ask to see the old fluid as they take it out so they dont just pretend to change it and actually do nothing....

 

[Nacho98]

Yeah I asked if they replaced the gasket and they said no, I'd have to go to a full service place to get that done...looks like just a drain and fill there, so I'm going to have the dealer take care of it on Saturday morning.

 

[blsticms1]

where u locate at ? ill do it for u

 

[1997gtRioRed]

jesus christ this is quite possibly the most simple job ever.

you dont even really NEED jack stands. you can back up on a curb and do it in the street. loosen all bolts starting with bottom ones working up. spray it clean with brakekleen after it drains. rtv it or buy a gasket, like $6. refill. just as easy as an oil change

 

[SoCal_Nick]

I would agree its a pretty simple job if you have a few things.

#1 work in the shade. Easy job gets loooong fast if your in the sun.
#2 socket and wrench.
#3 new gasket
#4 drain pan
#5 gentle flat edge to scrape gasket surface. razor blade will work.
#6 a long tube and a helper to put the new fluid in. The new fluid has to be higher than the differential so it will go in by gravity.
#7 when you torque the bolts back on the differential tighten each bolt little by little so there all equal tight at the same time. (theres an actual order in the manual)

Im sure theres a write-up somewhere online. I know anybody can do this though, worst thing that can happen is you buy wrong size gasket....I think there 8.8 ?

 

[Nacho98]

FYI I should clarify this is for the Camaro, not the Mustang...sorry I should've said that in the OP.

I'm just gonna have the dealer do it tomorrow morning. Thanks.