One last question on my differential fluid change out.

[Chris B.]

When I get to filling it up how do I know when it is full? Do I fill it till fluid is comming out the fill hole? Can you over fill the diff and cause damage? I will have the car level when I fill it up. The owners manuel just says what kind of oil to use but not how much to put in. Thank you!

P.S. The car is a 2002 Z28 Camaro and a 2003 half ton 4x4 Silverado.

[ August 05, 2003, 02:05 AM: Message edited by: Chris B. ]

 

[Titanium_Alloy]

Although I have limited knowledge I heard that overfilling might cause higher differential temps and I'm pretty sure that you can have a leaking seal due to high fluid level.

This info is taken from 2002 firebird manual (which is the same as camaro):

“To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole."


And this is from 2003 Silverado manual:

"To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface.
The proper level for the 1500 Series is from 5/8 inch to 1 5/8 inch (15 mm to 40 mm) below the bottom of the filler plug hole. The proper level for the 1500 HD Series, 2500 Series, 2500 HD, and 3500 Series is from 0 to 1/2 inch (0 to 13 mm) below the bottom of the filler plug hole. The proper level for the 1500 and 2500 Series vehicles with QUADRASTEERTM (4 Wheel Steer) is from 0 to 1/4 inch (0 to 6 mm) below the filler plug hole. Add only enough fluid to reach the proper level."

Hope this helps. If you have manuals read them more carefully. Silverado info is on the page 5-57. Firebird page 6-27.

 

[Chris B.]

Thank you! I'll double check those pages!

 

[wulimaster]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris B.:
When I get to filling it up how do I know when it is full? Do I fill it till fluid is comming out the fill hole? Can you over fill the diff and cause damage? I will have the car level when I fill it up. The owners manuel just says what kind of oil to use but not how much to put in. Thank you!

P.S. The car is a 2002 Z28 Camaro and a 2003 half ton 4x4 Silverado.

---

1st thing!!!!!!! Make sure you can remove the fill plug before attempting to remove the drain plug. This applies for transfer cases also.

Fill till it comes out the hole. Do 10 figure 8's in a parking lot. Re-check level. Add more gear oil if needed.

 

[Spector]

Till it starts to comme out of the filler plug hole. really cannot overfill these on a level surface.

 

[DEWFPO]

I overfilled the rear stock locker on my 85 F150. The truck was parked on a steep hill when I changed out the fluid. After a short period of time I realized the rear acted like an open differential, spinning only one wheel on loose surfaces.

I changed the fluid again. When I pulled the plug allot of fluid came out. That surpised me. It took me a while to figure out why, since I had filled the diff last time till it started to come out of the plug. This time I was on a level surface and shortly afterward noticed that my rear locker was 'locking' again on loose surfaces. To my pleasant surprise.

Go Figure.

DEWFPO

 

[Dr. T]

I fill it until it starts coming out...and then wait until it stops oozing out. This way it won't be overfull.