DIY: Rear Differential Oil Change

sparky · 05-05-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainhead

I'm gonna make an observation here based on what I've seen. I've never changed my Diff fluid, at 13K I'm probably not due unless I'm bored one day. My opinion is that when guys remove the magnetic plug and see the metal shavings, isn't the magnet doing it's job and keeping those particles out of the bearings and so forth? I would put forth that the diff fluid, while it may be needing to be changed due to heat/age/wear and detergents decaying over time, the metal filings on the drain plug aren't a sign of the fluid needing to be changed, but merely a sign of the diff magnet doing it's job.
Maybe I'm misinterpreting what I've read but that's the impression I get.

That may be part of it but if I recall this thread, I think the stories of black stinky goo coming out of the diff is what prompted people to change it.
I did mine while I was putting on my F.I. exhaust just because it was easier with the exhaust off.

Fountainhead · 07-27-2013, 09:22 PM

I originally posted this in another area but thought I'd park it where it would do someone some good or at least confirm my results of changing Diff fluid at 14,500 miles.

Changed my diff fluid today. Put in Mobile 1 75W90 GL-5 compatible http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...bil1_7070039-p . Typically, the magnetic drain plug was coated with iron/steel filings just like the other pics. I didn't jack it up just laid on my back and filled first with the bottle then with a large syringe my wife gave me (she's a nurse). I used just over 1.5 quarts. I filled until I saw it run out the fill hole and then let it drain for several minutes, then put the screw back in.
I got new washers for top and bottom plugs.
Fluid was like dark chocolate and markedly darker than what I put in, which was a clear yellow color.

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07-27-2013, 09:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fountainhead Track Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: FL Posts: 834 Drives: 2019 Civic Type R Rep Power: 15	I originally posted this in another area but thought I'd park it where it would do someone some good or at least confirm my results of changing Diff fluid at 14,500 miles. Changed my diff fluid today. Put in Mobile 1 75W90 GL-5 compatible http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...bil1_7070039-p . Typically, the magnetic drain plug was coated with iron/steel filings just like the other pics. I didn't jack it up just laid on my back and filled first with the bottle then with a large syringe my wife gave me (she's a nurse). I used just over 1.5 quarts. I filled until I saw it run out the fill hole and then let it drain for several minutes, then put the screw back in. I got new washers for top and bottom plugs. Fluid was like dark chocolate and markedly darker than what I put in, which was a clear yellow color.