Change your differential fluid!

[camaro guy]

there are tons of threads on this with pics of how to do it. use the search button

[NoUCantDriveIt]

I changed the Diff and Trans fluids around 2K miles. Whether my imagination trying to justify spending the money or not, but it did seem to make a noticable difference.

Having said that… I read the discoloration in the fluid (not sure if it was referring to Diff or Trans fluid) was due to a coating on the parts that wears off during break-in. It’s harmless and the fluid will appear “normal” with continued driving. I’m not disputing if you found visable shavings, and y’all are wayyyy more knowledgable about these cars and engines than I am. Maybe someone can chime in and confirm or correct me?

[FRANK121]

I changed the Diff and Trans fluids around 2K miles. Whether my imagination trying to justify spending the money or not, but it did seem to make a noticable difference.

What did you have put back in?

Mobil 1
Royal Purple
Amsoil
Redline
Something else

[maxhunter]

Here is what I found at 988 miles...I was doing an oil change and decided to check the diff while I was there.

There are as many opinions as people....do what you feel is needed.

[NoUCantDriveIt]

Originally Posted by FRANK121

What did you have put back in?

Mobil 1
Royal Purple
Amsoil
Redline
Something else

Mobil 1.

I did some homework on the others listed, but in the end wasn't convinced the marketing claims were entirely valid, nor higher cost was justified for how I drive. If my car went to the track.. maybe I would have given them more consideration.

[FRANK121]

I'm leaning towards the Amsoil, I've always used their oil in My race bikes for 15+ years now and never had an engine failure. I'm just not sure about their transmission stuff?

[Dave Coyle]

I changed mine @ 980 miles and used Royal Purple and now have 5600 miles and the rear end works great, don't have the problem some people talk about with only one wheel spinning. Does not matter if I am on the rode or track, both tires hook up.

[SSOOCH]

The silver fluid is an additive that is part of the GM diff fluid. It is not metal or metal shavings. FYI.

Still doesn't hurt to change it. But don't think or let anybody tell you that you have metal shavings in your diff. If you truly do have metal shavings after only 1500 miles you have a serious problem.

[RipperFox]

If it's magnetic...it's metal shavings.

Shavings are normal on new gears. You are always going to have shavings with metal on metal contact. Once the surfaces smooth out, and 'highs and lows' are worn down, the oil film will start letting the surfaces slide with out wear. Think of it like new rings and cylinder bore. You change the motor oil and filter at 550 miles for the same reason. The oil is not broken down. It the particles in the oil you are trying to get rid of. I did the tranny (LS3) at 1500. You would be floored at all the shavings you get.

[RubyCamaro]

Originally Posted by ss=scuba steve

I have never changed diff. fluid in any vehicle I have ever owned...... I have owned performance cars before (01 Trans Am, 07 Trailblazerr SS). Never had a problem..... Oh yeah, I've been a diesel mechanic for 15 years. Never changed diff. fluid in any truck in any fleet I have worked at...... just sayin

This is what my hubby keeps telling me. He says I'm crazy every time I meantion anything to him about changing the diff fluid. My car is over 30k miles on it & I do drag race it 2-4 times per year. Why is there so much difference between what different folks say on this subject??????? Mike (hubby) says a lot of the stuff recommended in the owners manual is just trying to make $ for the dealerships. I don't want to tear up my baby. Help please!

[Russell James]

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

This is what my hubby keeps telling me. He says I'm crazy every time I meantion anything to him about changing the diff fluid. My car is over 30k miles on it & I do drag race it 2-4 times per year. Why is there so much difference between what different folks say on this subject??????? Mike (hubby) says a lot of the stuff recommended in the owners manual is just trying to make $ for the dealerships. I don't want to tear up my baby. Help please!

At 30K your going to be surprised how bad it looks. Both magnets will be piled high with a metallic sludge, and the gear lube will look like nasty river sludge.

It's a very easy change, just need 1 qt of the gear lube and 1 LS additive bottle from a dealer.

Differentials on cars and trucks are all different. Some are open or lockers with no clutches. Those hardly create any debris, and a synthetic lube in those can last 100K + miles. (unless heavy towing).

Others, like the Camaro, have a clutch type limited slip unit. Those clutches are always working on every drive. The clutch plates shed off a lot of material as they wear. Especially as they are breaking in. Which is why the owner's manual has you change it at 1500, then not so often after that.

[NavyDood]

Originally Posted by Shift

We just hit 1,500 miles on the car and since the manual recommends changing the differential fluid at this point I did it last night. And I am astounded by how much metal was in it!

It looked like liquid metal pouring out with a fair amount of little shards stuck to the magnets in the plugs.

If you haven't changed it I would highly recommend you do it. I'm personally going to change it again at the next oil change.

Interesting. I didn't change ours until 20,000 miles and there was very little "metallic look" to it. Don't buy the subpar/inferior/over priced dealer fluid. You can get the best for less if you do your research. And even if the fluid "supposedly" has the LSD additive already in it, buy some anyhow and add it to save from crawling back under the rear end to add some because you have chatter.

Old fluid in the bottle on the left with 20,000 miles on it. New that went in on the right.

[RubyCamaro]

Now he says that mine is an automatic so I don't have a clutch to create the debris. What say you to that?????????????????

[Doc]

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

Now he says that mine is an automatic so I don't have a clutch to create the debris. What say you to that?????????????????

LOL well it doesn't matter what trans you have since the differential is a completely separate component in the back of the car. It's a good idea to change the diff fluid relatively soon after you get a new car, but not absolutely necessary. The reason you should is to clear out any shavings or debris that might have been left in there during assembly, and the very small amount of metal particles that are worn off the gears during break-in when the assembly is new and the parts are wearing against each other until they've smoothed out the contact surfaces.

If you don't change the fluid the diff will still work and work for a long time. However those particles that are in the fluid get picked up and wash through the gears which can cause them to wear faster than they would otherwise. If you're racing then you should definitely change the diff fluid. In fact, according to GM you should change it every 6 hours of racing because the high heat in the differential causes the oil to break down much much sooner than under normal everyday driving.

There's also the benefit of the more "expensive" and higher quality oils reducing friction in the diff which not only lowers resistance and allows more power to get to the wheels, but that also lowers the heat and helps the gears last longer. By "more expensive" we're talking maybe $20 for a bottle? It really isn't expensive at all and if you race, it's actually pretty cheap insurance to protect that part of the car.