differentail oil change

[big barney]

I am planning on changing out my front and rear differentail fluids this weekend, along with the transfer case oil. What is the best way to get the oil in there without spilling it all over the place? I am using Amsoil so that Jays funnel wont fit. Fellow TDR member John Berger send me a little funnel that fits on the Amsoil bottles.

I think that funnel will work fine for the rear, but the front and trans case look like a pain to get to. Any suggestions. Also what size wrenches do I need to take off the fill plugs. I have the Dana 80 rear and 60 in the front.



Thanks for any help you can give me

Curt

 

[klenger]

You can get a suction pump with a hose on it to remove the old fluid and put in the new. The one I had looked kind of like a greese gun.

 

[QRTRHRS]

big barney





You can get those on/off funnels with the plastic tube to fit Amsoil containers. When I got my Mag Hytec from Geno's, there was one included. For the rear, it works with the spare removed. I don't remember how I had to do it for the front and the transfer case. For the trannsmission, I just use a longer piece of tubing fished down from the engine compartment.



Are their drain plugs on the 99' rears? On my 97' the covers must come off.

 

[big barney]

QRTRHRS



There are no drain plugs just fill plugs. I will have to remove the covers to drain them. The spout that I have has a accordian neck that stretches out to about 6 inches. I was thinking about some kind of pump. but there has to be a better way??



Curt

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Ok, here is an easy way to put oil in hard to reach spots. All you need is some hose and a air compresser. Take the cap of the jug. Put one pece of rubber hose through it that will reach the bottom, make sure it is long enough to reach waht ever you are filling. Put another tube through the cap, and hook it to a air hose. Put some pressure behind it, and it will blow the oil in the axle, or what ever. This will work on 90w at below 0F.

 

[Jim Norton]

to put oil or gear grease in i found that the pump that came with a kit to fill the lower unit on my outboard will fit many other qt. bottles. i have seen them sold seperatley in marine stores. just a thougth,it works. jim norton

 

[big barney]

Jim



It's funny you mentioned that. I just changed out my lower unit on my outboard last week. I have the pump thing that your are talking about. All I would have to do is transfer the Amsoil to a bottle with the same size cap.



Jeff



I have a portable tire compressor. It takes for ever to fill up tires with it. Do you think that this thing has enought pressure to get the oil flowing?



Thanks for the help as always

Curt

 

[Deezul1]

Sta Lube makes a pump that screws onto a qt bottle and also a gallon I think, I got mine at Harbor Freight for about $4. 00, may find them at auto parts houses

 

[John]

Originally posted by Deezul 1

Sta Lube makes a pump that screws onto a qt bottle and also a gallon I think

You are right Deezul 1, I have been using the Sta-Lube hand pumps for (I believe) at least 15 years. I purchased a number of quarts of different Sta-Lube products (and a pump for each), giving the contents to friends and then saving the Sta-Lube containers and pumps to fill with a quality synthetic.



The hand pumps also work with gallons if you extend the pickup tube.

 

[big barney]

Deezul 1 John



Thanks for the idea of the Sta Lube pump. I picked one up today at Pep Boys for under $5. 00 It looks like it will work out great. The best part about it is, it fits the Amsoil bottle perfectly.



Thanks again

Curt

 

[Swamp Donkey]

One thing to keep in mind if you are removing the rear differential, is to use the grey rtv silicone. It is "sensor" safe and won't interfere with the sensor on the rear diff. Good luck.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

The oil will be easier to change with a suction gun if it's warm. I have a drain plug on my cover, so it's not too difficult, & I use Amsoil 75-90 too. I was a little surprised how warm the oil is after a few miles on the hiway. I imagine it would be a real job trying to suck out cold 90wt. in the winter, after the truck sat outside all night!

 

[big barney]

Swamp Donkey



I am going to be using Permatex Ultra Blue. It says sensor safe on the label. Going for a little drive to warm up the oil.



Thanks Curt

 

[illflem]

"Sensor safe"? Do some of you have sensors in your diff?

 

[big barney]

Bill



Dont ask me. I was just replying to Swamp Donkey's post.



I just got finshed with installing the front and rear Covers. The back one wasn't to bad. The front one was a pitb. They had enought silicon on there to choke a elephant. It took for ever to get the stuff off. Will let it set up until tomorrow morning, then I will refill. Hopefully I won't have any leaks.



Thanks for all of your guys help

Curt

 

[Deezul1]

Any of them with RWAL brakes have a sensor on top over the ring gear

 

[big barney]

One last question you guys.



What is the size of the drain and fill plugs on the transfer case. It is a 241HD. My 3/8 ratchet is to big. The service manul gives no mention to it any where.



Thanks Curt