anyone done this? something i can do at home? i have 51K on my car and i think its time to change it. anyone know how or done it?

 

stock diff cover has to be unbolted i think and then bolt up with new gasket and then fill

 

i thought there was a drain on it?

 

Not on the stock cover. You need an aftermarket cover/girdle.

 

Was wondering about this myself as the diff is starting to groan on tight turns. I know there's a TSB out on the clutch packs but figure it's not a big issue although an oil change couldn't hurt.

 

Its really easy, do it.

Just loosen the little black bolts around the cover, then pry off cover. Fluid will drain out.

Use silicon sealant on old cover, or buy a new one, and replace it. They say let it sit 6 hours... I did 1 hour. Then locate fill plug and fill from top. They say use a pump or something, but I was able to angle the bottles and just pour them straight in. I used Mobil 1 75-140 and generic friction modifier. MAKE SURE YOU USE FRICTION MODIFIER, THE END. No questions asked. You need it.

Fill up to fill hole, but make sure you compensate for the car possibly being angled from being jacked up. I did mine without jacking car up.

Have fun its worth it, wait till you see the metal shavings that come out in the old fluid.

 

You can also use a suction pump if you dont want to remove the cover. Available at any good auto-parts store. Just make sure to drive the car a few miles to warm up the oil. Removing the cover is best BUT if first few thousand miles on car this way is much easier&faster(plus no chance of a leak).Worked at a dealership for many yearsand we always changed the rear fluid this way at 1st engine oil change. 5 min. job with lift.

 

Step 1:


Step 2:


Sleeper2

 

You don't want to "pry" off the cover. Could mess up the mating surface. I use a block of wood and a hammer. Just smack the side of the cover and the jar will break the seal of the old gasket.