Finding its already been done...

[HemiHawk]

While I was upgrading the rear sway bar on my 95 Mustang this past weekend I decided to change the rear diff fluid while I was under there. Its a little easier to get to the cover with the swaybar out of the way. The bolts were pretty loose, not a good thing. So I pull the bolts, crack the seal... And I find what looks like almost new Royal Purple diff fluid. I'm assuming Royal Purple because well... It was purple. On one hand I'm upset I wasted what looked like good fluid. On the other Its good to know it was changed previously in its life. So its a bit of a mixed bag. Cleaned up the cover (which I was surprised was aluminium) buttoned it up, and filled with Red Line 75-90.

Anyone else ever tear into something to find it had already been done?

 

[Zee09]

Better to know than not. Right?

 

[HemiHawk]

Originally Posted by Zee09
Better to know than not. Right?


This is true. I thought for sure it wouldn't have been touched as diff fluid is often overlooked. When I changed that out on my 08 some pretty nasty fluid came out. I was happy to see that it had a replacement fuel filter when I went to change that. Of course the fuel filter is a cheap easy thing to do.

 

[Delta]

Just a couple months ago when I wanted to replace the rear diff fluid and cover on the beater S10. The old fluid was just about as clean as new. But the cover was looking a little sketchy so better safe than sorry.

 

[Kestas]

The first change of diff fluid is always the most satisfying.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted by Zee09
Better to know than not. Right?


x2

 

[Anduril]

Same thing with my XTerra. Transfer case was black as [censored], both diffs looked fresh and new.

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted by Anduril
Same thing with my XTerra. Transfer case was black as [censored], both diffs looked fresh and new.


I think transfer cases are rarely done because even quick-lube shops don't try to upsell transfer case fluid changes LOL

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by Anduril
Same thing with my XTerra. Transfer case was black as [censored], both diffs looked fresh and new.
I changed the transfer case fluid on my Infiniti G35x at ~110,000 miles. My sister owned the car before and they kept almost all records from work done at the dealer and it wasn't done before. When I drained it, it was a nice, clear red color and smelled like ATF.

Regarding differential fluid, after it's been changed, how long before it changes color and "looks" old where you can't judge it's age ?

 

[danez_yoda]

should have run that purple stuff through a sock and put it back in.

 

[CT8]

It happens .