with rear gear fluid change.....

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 06:34 AM

Well I have approx. 104,000 miles on the clock....and i think it's about time to do a fluid change in the rear end. It has been leaking more then usual on the garage floor.....so heres my question does anybody have a write up on how to do the fluid change.......any suggetions on what kind of fluid to do it with? any suggestions at all would be appreciated~Chris

**stephen02ws6** · 07-18-2008, 08:18 AM

just pull the cover off the put the fluid in through the fill plug in the side. i take the bottom half of the bolts out then loosen the top half and pry the cover open a little to let some of the fluid drain. then take the top ones out and the cover off. wipe some of the old lube out of the case and clean the cover and the magnet on it. i use RTV silicone on the cover as a gasket. when you put the cover on watch the sway bar so you dont wipe the silicone off on it. then use a 3/8 or 1/2 drive ratchet on the plug on the side of the case. not a socket but the actuall square drive. then fill it up with the fluid till it starts coming out and put the plug in.

**stephen02ws6** · 07-18-2008, 08:19 AM

oh and i just used royal purple gear lube since i already has limited slip additive in it.

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 08:31 AM

thanks for the reply any other ideas...............why do you use rtv? i have a paper gasket that i planned on putting onto it............

**joejenkinsglass** · 07-18-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by clg82

thanks for the reply any other ideas...............why do you use rtv? i have a paper gasket that i planned on putting onto it............

you will need rtv on both sides of the paper. I also just use rtv its fine either way.

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by joejenkinsglass

you will need rtv on both sides of the paper. I also just use rtv its fine either way.

ahh i see.......how much rear gear fluid should i buy of royal purple, and will i have to add anything to it.......and where do you guys purchase it from is it just called "Royal Purple"?

**Spaz** · 07-18-2008, 10:00 AM

another side note... rear gear fluid smells like shit...

**Firebird Phoenix** · 07-18-2008, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by clg82

ahh i see.......how much rear gear fluid should i buy of royal purple, and will i have to add anything to it.......and where do you guys purchase it from is it just called "Royal Purple"?

http://royalpurple.findlocation.com/

That will help you find a local dealer, around my area at first you could only buy Royal Purple at "performance shops" that were far and few (only 1 in 5 miles for me). Now they are starting to stock it at Autozones/Advance Auto Parts/O' Reiley's/ and so on.

I think this is the product you need, but I could be wrong.

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Firebird Phoenix

http://royalpurple.findlocation.com/

That will help you find a local dealer, around my area at first you could only buy Royal Purple at "performance shops" that were far and few (only 1 in 5 miles for me). Now they are starting to stock it at Autozones/Advance Auto Parts/O' Reiley's/ and so on.

I think this is the product you need, but I could be wrong.

just one jug of that? anyone know if this is truly what i need?

**Firebird Phoenix** · 07-18-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by clg82

just one jug of that? anyone know if this is truly what i need?

I don't know how much fluid you actually need, best bet like I said is it should be available at your local Autozones/Advance/So on so they can tell you how much you need.

**stephen02ws6** · 07-18-2008, 11:06 AM

you need about 1.5 quarts i believe. 2 jugs will cover it.

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 12:04 PM

thanks everyone for your insight.....i am going to rent a lift on base next weekend so it will be easier to work on.........anyone else with some pointers or advice.........

**egod** · 07-18-2008, 04:46 PM

along with that is it hard to change the pinion seal

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by egod

along with that is it hard to change the pinion seal

huh?

**Y2KPewterSS** · 07-18-2008, 06:12 PM

You need about 2 and a quarter jugs.

**clg82** · 07-18-2008, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

You need about 2 and a quarter jugs.

Cool thanks in the pix above is that the correct jug to buy?

**Y2KPewterSS** · 07-18-2008, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by clg82

Cool thanks in the pix above is that the correct jug to buy?

I can't read what is on that jugg in the picture, but you want 75W90.

**clg82** · 07-23-2008, 09:57 AM

One more question, before i do this flush. Autozone had asked if i had the limited slip differential. I told them yes was i right? sorry for the newb question

**jcws6** · 07-23-2008, 12:15 PM

If you have a Trans Am, you probably have a limited slip. Honestly, the rear end fluid change is so easy that you'll probably say "wow, that's it?" when you're done.

Here's a pretty good pictorial writeup on the procedure (just ignore the parts about the TA cover - Step 8): http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...id_install.htm

Here's a tip I used when filling the rear end from the factory fill screw: you won't have enough room to tip the bottle much, so either try to squeeze the bottle to squirt the fluid into the hole or buy a 6-12" length of rubber hose that fits the tip of the bottle. With the rubber hose, you'll have more room to position the bottle. You'll know what I mean when you get there.

Also, in case it's not obvious, you'll want the car to be fairly level when you refill the gear oil. I like to put the jackstands on the frame, so the rear end can hang down a little, giving you more clearance to get the bolts off.

**clg82** · 07-23-2008, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by jcws6

If you have a Trans Am, you probably have a limited slip. Honestly, the rear end fluid change is so easy that you'll probably say "wow, that's it?" when you're done.

Here's a pretty good pictorial writeup on the procedure (just ignore the parts about the TA cover - Step 8): http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...id_install.htm

Here's a tip I used when filling the rear end from the factory fill screw: you won't have enough room to tip the bottle much, so either try to squeeze the bottle to squirt the fluid into the hole or buy a 6-12" length of rubber hose that fits the tip of the bottle. With the rubber hose, you'll have more room to position the bottle. You'll know what I mean when you get there.

Also, in case it's not obvious, you'll want the car to be fairly level when you refill the gear oil. I like to put the jackstands on the frame, so the rear end can hang down a little, giving you more clearance to get the bolts off.

thanks that's a great write up!! I actually plan on installing the new TA cover when i flush the old fluid out.......i appreciate all the help~Chris