Cobez
Member
Step by step guide to servicing your own diffs (for the n00bs)
Something that some people completely forget to get done. Should be done alongside your trans service and cooling system flushes. Just did both of mine, and it still amazes me how many people PAY someone to do this for them. It's so damn easy.
What you will need:
3 litres of diff oil (LSD or normal depending on what diffs you have. This IS very important, so make sure which one you need). I just bought Nulon 80w90 LSD oil. Comes in 1L bottles from Supergay auto, or Autobarn for around $14 a bottle.
Ratchet wrench
Oil catch pan
A small funnel and about 20 or 30cm of clean fresh garden hose (or a siphon pump, i prefer a small funnel and hose, just easier IMO)
Step 1 (rear diff): Crack the drain plug (located on the UNDERSIDE of the diff housing), but do not fully undo just yet. You may as well crack the filler plug while you are there (located on the UPPER REAR of the diff housing, facing towards the REAR of the vehicle).
Step 2: Place your oil catch pan under the DRAIN plug and undo the plug completely. Let the oil drain out completely. I would recommend cracking a beer and having a smoke (if you are a filthy smoker like myself) while you are waiting.
Step 3: Once oil has completely drained and only slow dripping from the plug hole, thoroughly clean up your drain plug with a clean rag and screw the drain plug back in, ratchet it up nice and tight. Clean the area with a rag so it is free of oil.
Step 4: Shift your oil catch pan so it is sitting UNDER the FILLER plug hole and unscrew the filler plug and put to one side.
Step 5: Jam that 20-30cm piece of CLEAN garden hose (i recommend garden hose, only as it fits PERFECTLY in the filler plug hole) onto the end of your funnel, and slide the hose into the filler plug hole. So it sits pretty much flush with the inside rim of the hole to avoid diff oil spilling out when you are filling it. Now hold the funnel up as high as you can so the hose is on a steep downward angle and fill her up! The REAR diff will take 2L of diff oil exactly (provided you drain it properley!!)
Step 6: Shine a torch in the hole and make sure the oil level is sitting level with the bottom surface of the filler hole. If so, clean the plug up with a rag and screw it back in nice and tight and clean the diff housing up with a rag.
Same process for the front diff, EXCEPT, the front diff takes 850ML of oil instead of 2L so be careful when filling.
All up if you have the tools, it will cost less than $45 depending on what diff oil you get and where. Most are ok, just make sure it's an 80w90 oil to suit either an LSD or single spinner depending on what you have. And make sure you bottle the old diff oil and take it to your local council to be disposed of properley. Small cost as opposed to destroying the enviroment slowly
Enjoy
Something that some people completely forget to get done. Should be done alongside your trans service and cooling system flushes. Just did both of mine, and it still amazes me how many people PAY someone to do this for them. It's so damn easy.
What you will need:
3 litres of diff oil (LSD or normal depending on what diffs you have. This IS very important, so make sure which one you need). I just bought Nulon 80w90 LSD oil. Comes in 1L bottles from Supergay auto, or Autobarn for around $14 a bottle.
Ratchet wrench
Oil catch pan
A small funnel and about 20 or 30cm of clean fresh garden hose (or a siphon pump, i prefer a small funnel and hose, just easier IMO)
Step 1 (rear diff): Crack the drain plug (located on the UNDERSIDE of the diff housing), but do not fully undo just yet. You may as well crack the filler plug while you are there (located on the UPPER REAR of the diff housing, facing towards the REAR of the vehicle).
Step 2: Place your oil catch pan under the DRAIN plug and undo the plug completely. Let the oil drain out completely. I would recommend cracking a beer and having a smoke (if you are a filthy smoker like myself) while you are waiting.
Step 3: Once oil has completely drained and only slow dripping from the plug hole, thoroughly clean up your drain plug with a clean rag and screw the drain plug back in, ratchet it up nice and tight. Clean the area with a rag so it is free of oil.
Step 4: Shift your oil catch pan so it is sitting UNDER the FILLER plug hole and unscrew the filler plug and put to one side.
Step 5: Jam that 20-30cm piece of CLEAN garden hose (i recommend garden hose, only as it fits PERFECTLY in the filler plug hole) onto the end of your funnel, and slide the hose into the filler plug hole. So it sits pretty much flush with the inside rim of the hole to avoid diff oil spilling out when you are filling it. Now hold the funnel up as high as you can so the hose is on a steep downward angle and fill her up! The REAR diff will take 2L of diff oil exactly (provided you drain it properley!!)
Step 6: Shine a torch in the hole and make sure the oil level is sitting level with the bottom surface of the filler hole. If so, clean the plug up with a rag and screw it back in nice and tight and clean the diff housing up with a rag.
Same process for the front diff, EXCEPT, the front diff takes 850ML of oil instead of 2L so be careful when filling.
All up if you have the tools, it will cost less than $45 depending on what diff oil you get and where. Most are ok, just make sure it's an 80w90 oil to suit either an LSD or single spinner depending on what you have. And make sure you bottle the old diff oil and take it to your local council to be disposed of properley. Small cost as opposed to destroying the enviroment slowly
Enjoy
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