FWD Differential

[Barkleymut]

This may be a simple question for those of you that have worked on cars longer than I have. I have owned almost all RWD cars in the past and changed out the fluid in the rear diff after 50K everytime. Now that I own 2 FWD vehicles I was thinking they must have a front differential...right? If so where is the fluid? I did a quick check on both vehicles, see sig below, and do not see a logical place for where/how to change it.

Also does any maintenance need to be done to the rear axles on either vehicle?

 

[Stu_Rock]

The Saturn's transmission (technically, "transaxle") fluid is shared with the differential. I think the same is true for the Chrysler.

Some Chrysler FWD transmissions have a separate differential that looks like an extension housing to the transmission, but I don't think that's the case for an '01 minivan.

 

[exranger06]

Most FWD vehicles have the diff built into the transmission. So when you change the transmission fluid, you're automatically also changing the diff fluid.

 

[Barkleymut]

Thanks guys, I changed out the transmission fluid in the Saturn a few weeks ago since I figured it was the original fluid (just bought the car). I cannot remember the capacity but it wasnt much, I guess since it is a manual and doesn't have to do much work. I have always done a trans pan drop and changed the filter every year since '05 on the van so I guess I am good there as well.

 

[The_Jeff]

There are cars with divorced diffs, older toyotas come to mind.

Just make sure you find the top side plug for whatever you're going to undo down below. (And open it.

)

 

[Hokiefyd]

In the case of the minivan, the differential and transaxle share the same fluid. And there's no plug top-side (or drain bottom-side). You drain the fluid by removing the pan, and fill it through the dipstick tube.

 

[PandaBear]

93-97 Corolla 1.6L has front differential that's separate from the transmission, remember to change it once in a while.