DIY: Rear Differential Oil Change

FricFrac · 06-13-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck@Z1

There are several different versions of the Redline Fluid and they cover a wide range of uses and abuses.

The Redline 75W90 NS actually lacks some of the friction modifiers found in the regular 75W90 which makes it less slippery and ok to use in a transmission and more aggressive in a differential. That does not mean use it! Please keep reading.......

We have been using Redline for some time at the shop and the fluids we use for the following applications are....
We use the normal 75W90 as Spearfish and several others have already stated for the differential. You can find it on our site HERE.
We have recently begun using Redline's MT-85 for transmission fluid. We have been using the MT-90 in 300ZX's for some time but this fluid did not work well in 350Z and 370Z's. Redline specifically lists this fluid for use in the 370Z. You can see it on their site HERE. I really appreciate a customer and forum member for pointing this fluid out to us. The MT-85 fluid can be found on our site HERE.

Finally you can find the metal washers for the drain plugs on our site HERE.

This is what we have found works well in the majority of 370Z applications. If you are using your car for some extreme application you may want to look into another Redline fluid for your car but so far these fluids have worked well.

Has anyone tried the Redline Shockproof Light for the rear diff?

tranceformer · 06-13-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

Has anyone tried the Redline Shockproof Light for the rear diff?

Nope but I've used that in the transmission by recommendation from a friend. It worked well in his G35 and my 350Z.

fjpthree · 06-16-2011, 06:45 PM

At what mileage did you do the fluid change. (I did not see this mentioned in the maintenance manual..only an inspection..)

1325 · 06-16-2011, 06:54 PM

I changed my differential fluid at 29,160 mi.

Thanks for the write-up, by the way!

spearfish25 · 06-16-2011, 07:08 PM

Glad this is helping everyone out. I've made a point to change my rear diff fluid every spring...essentially every 8k miles.

FricFrac · 06-17-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Glad this is helping everyone out. I've made a point to change my rear diff fluid every spring...essentially every 8k miles.

I'm assuming you're changing it this frequently because you track the car?

MattP725 · 07-14-2011, 08:33 AM

Anyone know if we can get away with using a non-Nissan washer? Every dealership around me needs to order the part and I wanted to do my diff/trans this weekend.

KusoSama · 07-15-2011, 12:41 AM

You prob could get it from the site I go to. Nissanparts.cc

Chuck@Z1 · 07-15-2011, 09:00 AM

You could use a regular copper/al crush washer since Nissan doesn't have any.
We sell them HERE if you are stuck on the Nissan washer.

If this is your first time you can probably get away with not changing it because it is a solid crush washer. This is not a guarantee it wont leak but 99% of the time you can get away with reusing it as long as it wasn't damaged or over-tightened.

MattP725 · 07-15-2011, 11:07 AM

Thanks Chuck... normally I would order OEM but I have all the redline fluid and I am pretty much hellbent on doing the change this weekend.

Ron · 10-09-2011, 11:25 AM

So I have 11k miles on my car, changing the diff oil next weekend. I just saw this thread and the nasty oil coming out at just 4kmiles and it got me thinking..Should I have changed it before?

cossie1600 · 10-09-2011, 11:52 AM

It's too late now, just do it and see what comes out of it. The diff fluid is only a lubrication for the gears anyway, I don't think it changes the LSD since the LSD is in a sealed unit inside. I guess you can argue it can cool the LSD unit better as the fluid soaked in it can have a lower temp. Personally I will change it again at 6500 miles and see what it looks like. SInce I already have all the tools, the parts really only cost me $25 (2 quarts of 75W90 GL-5 fluid)

Ron · 10-09-2011, 12:15 PM

so change it every 6.5k miles?

cossie1600 · 10-09-2011, 12:21 PM

for me yes. i would say not more than 2 years for most people. personally i am going to make a more definitie judgement at the next change as nissan might have crappy fluids too. amsoil are rated for 100k miles, but i will see how it handles 200 autox runs a year

silver streak · 10-10-2011, 01:16 PM

Well I have just changed out my diff. fluid with the Redline 75w90 fluid @ 8200 miles I got the car with 2700 miles on her and Wanted to do a complete oil change on her once I had her good and broke in I did the engine with the Redline oil as well and will be doing the trans. tomorrow when the oil arrives from Redline my local Redline dealer did not have the MT-85 in stock wityh the rest of the oil's.
I want to thank Spearfish for his write up great job much reps.

Rich

06-16-2011, 07:08 PM	#50 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Glad this is helping everyone out. I've made a point to change my rear diff fluid every spring...essentially every 8k miles. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

07-15-2011, 12:41 AM	#53 (permalink)
KusoSama Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UP Posts: 127 Drives: 2010 370Z Sport MB Rep Power: 14	You prob could get it from the site I go to. Nissanparts.cc __________________ K&N Drop-in Filters \|\| Invidia Gemini CBE \|\| ERZ High Flow Cats \|\| Uprev \|\| 3.54 Final Drive

10-10-2011, 01:16 PM	#60 (permalink)
silver streak Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sterling, Va./ Va.Beach Age: 59 Posts: 27 Drives: '09 370Z coupe Rep Power: 13	Well I have just changed out my diff. fluid with the Redline 75w90 fluid @ 8200 miles I got the car with 2700 miles on her and Wanted to do a complete oil change on her once I had her good and broke in I did the engine with the Redline oil as well and will be doing the trans. tomorrow when the oil arrives from Redline my local Redline dealer did not have the MT-85 in stock wityh the rest of the oil's. I want to thank Spearfish for his write up great job much reps. Rich __________________ [B][B]Rich Garrett

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06-16-2011, 06:45 PM	#48 (permalink)
fjpthree Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 67 Drives: 09 Touring/Sport/Nav Rep Power: 13	At what mileage did you do the fluid change. (I did not see this mentioned in the maintenance manual..only an inspection..)

06-16-2011, 06:54 PM	#49 (permalink)
1325 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 287 Drives: 10 370Z BLK 6M Rep Power: 14	I changed my differential fluid at 29,160 mi. Thanks for the write-up, by the way!

07-14-2011, 08:33 AM	#52 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	Anyone know if we can get away with using a non-Nissan washer? Every dealership around me needs to order the part and I wanted to do my diff/trans this weekend.

07-15-2011, 09:00 AM	#54 (permalink)
Chuck@Z1 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Carrollton Posts: 91 Drives: Varies Rep Power: 14	You could use a regular copper/al crush washer since Nissan doesn't have any. We sell them HERE if you are stuck on the Nissan washer. If this is your first time you can probably get away with not changing it because it is a solid crush washer. This is not a guarantee it wont leak but 99% of the time you can get away with reusing it as long as it wasn't damaged or over-tightened.

07-15-2011, 11:07 AM	#55 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	Thanks Chuck... normally I would order OEM but I have all the redline fluid and I am pretty much hellbent on doing the change this weekend.

10-09-2011, 11:25 AM	#56 (permalink)
Ron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,009 Drives: TT '11 PW Nismo #113 Rep Power: 21	So I have 11k miles on my car, changing the diff oil next weekend. I just saw this thread and the nasty oil coming out at just 4kmiles and it got me thinking..Should I have changed it before?

10-09-2011, 11:52 AM	#57 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	It's too late now, just do it and see what comes out of it. The diff fluid is only a lubrication for the gears anyway, I don't think it changes the LSD since the LSD is in a sealed unit inside. I guess you can argue it can cool the LSD unit better as the fluid soaked in it can have a lower temp. Personally I will change it again at 6500 miles and see what it looks like. SInce I already have all the tools, the parts really only cost me $25 (2 quarts of 75W90 GL-5 fluid)

10-09-2011, 12:15 PM	#58 (permalink)
Ron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,009 Drives: TT '11 PW Nismo #113 Rep Power: 21	so change it every 6.5k miles?

10-09-2011, 12:21 PM	#59 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	for me yes. i would say not more than 2 years for most people. personally i am going to make a more definitie judgement at the next change as nissan might have crappy fluids too. amsoil are rated for 100k miles, but i will see how it handles 200 autox runs a year