- Step 1: Secure the vehicle on jack stands or ramps. …
- Step 2: Allow time for the gear oil to completely drain. …
- Step 3: Locate and remove the gear oil fill bolt.
- Step 4: Use a pump to slowly add the recommended type of gear oil to the differential.
How do you determine if the differential has enough fluid in it?
Check the fluid level
with your finger
.
The gear oil in the rear differential should reach the bottom of the service port hole. Insert one finger into the open service port. Bend your finger downward slightly to see if it comes into contact with gear oil. If your finger touches gear oil, there is enough fluid inside.
How do I know if my differential fluid is low?
- Burning Smell from the Differential. When you notice a bad smell coming from your gearbox, you should take it as a sign of bad differential oil which can be contaminated hence not operating as it should be. …
- Weird Noises. …
- Vibrations.
How do you fill diff oil?
Use the highest-quality gear oil you can afford to fill the differential. The weight and capacity will be listed in your owner’s manual; your differential will usually
hold as much as 3 quarts
. Be sure to read that manual, though, because some limited-slip differentials require a secondary friction-modifying additive.
What happens if your differential fluid is low?
Worn gears and low differential fluid will result in
a grinding or humming noise coming from the differential
. Any strange noises should be checked out by a professional technician to ensure the problem is properly taken care of.
How much does it cost to change the differential fluid?
When changing the differential fluid, the overall differential fluid change cost averages between
$80-$150 for the rear
and $70 to $130 for the front change, coming in at a total price of between $150-$280 for the differential fluid change cost.
How often should I change diff fluid?
Usually, differential fluid is changed after
every 30k to 60k miles driven
. This is a tough job, so must be handled by an expert technician. Only an experienced mechanic can properly wipe out the old different fluid from your vehicle’s drive-train.
What kind of fluid goes in a front differential?
Every front or rear axle is filled with a
special oil (also called differential fluid, or gear oil)
that takes care of this. The differential fluid lubricates the gears, bearings and other internal parts, and provides cooling to these components as well.
What happens if differential fails?
More importantly, a compromised differential can negatively impact your safety when you’re behind the wheel by making it difficult to turn. A faulty differential can also
cause your car’s wheels to lock up
, and this can put you in a dangerous situation if it happens while you’re in traffic.
What can cause excessive backlash in a differential?
The pinion gear is supported by two bearings, whose pre-loads are established by a crushable spacer between them. When a differential is set up this
spacer is crushed by tightening the pinion nut
; if the spacer is crushed too much, you get excessive backlash.
Can you drive a car with no diff oil?
lack of oil means lack of boundary lubrication between the gear teeth that slide against each other. This means excessive wear and heat. Also a lack of lubrication in the bearings that hold all the gears in place, which again, wear and heat. Keep it going very long and you can cause severe damage.
Is differential oil the same as transmission fluid?
In a manual transmission setup, sometimes.
Differentials use gear oil/fluid
. A manual transmission also uses gear oil but the viscosity may be a bit different. In an automatic transmission, definitely not; the fluid is much thinner and is called ATF – automatic transmission fluid.
Which grade of oil is used in differential?
Automotive differential uses hypoid gears exposed to severe operating conditions and it is applied with impact load in driving. Therefore,
API GL-4 or 5 single-grade gear oil
designed to maintain high viscosity at extreme pressure is used.
How often should you change your front and rear differential fluid?
Most manufacturers recommend that the differential fluid be changed
every 30,000 to 60,000 miles
. It is a messy job, and should be done by a licensed mechanic.
Does changing rear differential fluid make a difference?
Just like an engine oil change, a differential fluid change is vital too to keep your car in good working condition. Differentials
deal with moving parts
that involve metal to metal contact that produces heat from friction.
Does differential fluid go bad?
Over time, if the oil goes bad or you have a leak in your differential, metal will grind on metal and will wear down the surfaces. … Since your differential/gear oil
can go bad over time
and needs to be replaced, you should be aware of the symptoms that indicate the oil needs to be changed.
