Anyone had their differential fluid changed? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Doc · 10-29-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

What's the cost on doing this? Even if we don't plan on "racing" it should we get this done anyway?

Thanks.

8 qts of 5w30 RP was $72, 5 qts of Max Gear 75w90 was $80, RP oil filter was $15. Took it to the dealer to put everything in and have them reset the DIC for oil life; labor for everything was $120. It's going to be a long time before I have to change the trans and diff fluid again so that's not an expense you go through every time you change the oil. Plus they charged me an extra $15 to move the exhaust pipe on the driver's side to be able to drain the diff.

It's worth it; the difference in quietness inside the car is amazing. The car idles much smoother now. The reduction in friction will let everything run cooler and you should get slightly better gas mileage too.

the rich dude · 10-29-2009, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Yes the manual trans and diff both use the same gear oil; 75w90 Max Gear. It'll be fine hehe; this is the same gear oil that the Mazda's use. I had it in my RX8 and it works like a charm.

Thanks...

dragrcr · 10-29-2009, 04:45 PM

Doc, did you check with Royal Purple to see if their oil meets the GM spec for the components listed?

The owners manual calls for a totally different oil for the trans than the oil for the differential.

The diff takes 1 qt to fill but they want you to add 2.5 OZ of the additive. I just added the additive to the quart of oil and shook it up and then just squeezed in all I could. You cannot quite get it all in because the angle of the bottle will not allow it. So I had a couple ounces left over making the fill about the exact quart that they want.

The trans calls for PN 88861800 Manual Transmission Fluid. NOT the Diff fluid. In some cases these transmissions use ATF. I was told that if you had a warantee issue that it better be red fluid that drains out. So, I would be sure that the manufacturer of whatever I put in my components meets the GM specs listed in the owners manual and that the manufacturer will back that up if you have a problem. There is a lot more to it than just protecting the gears. The oil has to also have the correct coefficient of friction so that the syncros and blocker rings all work properly. The engineering and construction of these transmissions is constantly evolving and being updated and I would not necessarily think that what works good in a Mazda trans is what Chevrolet wants in this trans.

Also, be advised that the trans fluid is fill for life and does not ever need to be changed. No matter what the use.

Doc · 10-29-2009, 05:58 PM

I checked with RP and their gear oil already has the additives in it, and Max Gear 75w90 is what they recommend for the manual trans and the diff. It just happens to be the same as what I used in my RX8 so I have years of experience with it and it's amazing stuff.

WICKEDSS · 10-29-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulm85

I drained mine and put in RP at about 1300 miles. Stock oil looked and smelled terrible with alot of shavings on the plug.

I feel that for like $15 and a little time it was well worth it.

I would love to find some gear oil that didnt smell like total sh*t.....I can allways tell when there doing a diff service in the shop......blah smells horrible

dragrcr · 10-29-2009, 06:12 PM

DOC, I will ask again. Does the Royal Purple that you are reccomending meet the GM spec listed for the appropriate component in the owners manual.

I did not ask if it already had the additive.

Michael_Js · 10-29-2009, 06:27 PM

From what I remember, RP is NOT on GM's list of approved substances

dragrcr · 10-29-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WICKEDSS

I would love to find some gear oil that didnt smell like total sh*t.....I can allways tell when there doing a diff service in the shop......blah smells horrible

Read the gear oil above! I thought this was kind of odd?? Now I know why............

"NEW GRAPE SCENT"

Doc · 10-29-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragrcr

DOC, I will ask again. Does the Royal Purple that you are reccomending meet the GM spec listed for the appropriate component in the owners manual.

I did not ask if it already had the additive.

You implied being concerned about the additive so that's why I stated it already has the additive. I already stated that RP recommended the Max Gear for this application. Does GM on their website? Not that I know of. I went by RPs recommendation since they make the product. Feel free to go to their website and gather all the info you like.

CTS · 10-29-2009, 09:54 PM

The GM synthetic axle lube is a sub-standard product IMO. Whats more, GM does not make it. They just contract out to some oil company who packages it in the GM bottles. Its no better than any synthetic gear lube you will find on the shelf at any discount store. Look at label on the bottle, if it says made in Canada (like most of GM Lubes) then its made by Pertro Canada. A real synthetic gear lube should not need an additive.

My 2005 Cadillac CTS with G80 was making noise before I hit 1,000 miles. The dealer changed the fluid and added the LSD additive, a few 1,000 miles later is was making noise in turns and clunking again. Back to the the dealer and they change it again following a GM bulletin. It works ok for a few 1,000 miles and starts to make the same noise all over again. Three times they used the GM synthetic and it did not hold up. And yes they added the additive. The last time they even flushed it and that only worked about 1,000 miles longer. I finally got fed up and told the dealer to put in AMSOIL. He said if you get it we'll install it for your. Never again was there a problem, drove the car 3 more years and never had the binding and clunking in the turns anymore.

BTW-The Chevy dealer up the road had the AMSOIL on sale in the parts dept.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 10-29-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

You implied being concerned about the additive so that's why I stated it already has the additive. I already stated that RP recommended the Max Gear for this application. Does GM on their website? Not that I know of. I went by RPs recommendation since they make the product. Feel free to go to their website and gather all the info you like.

Ok, so the answer is no, it is not on GM's approved list. Probably would never be an issue because like you said RP is some badass stuff, but if something were to happen GM would likely not cover warranty work.

Doc · 10-29-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

Ok, so the answer is no, it is not on GM's approved list. Probably would never be an issue because like you said RP is some badass stuff, but if something were to happen GM would likely not cover warranty work.

Well the dealer changed the oils for me and a couple of the mechanics said they use RP in their cars too so I'm sure there wouldn't be any problems with any warranty work needed there.

RP actually exceeds most requirements. I've been using RP in my cars for years and they always run smooth and without problems. The car now runs so much quieter and smoother it's amazing. It just glides along now and sounds even better than it did before.

kelleyperformance · 10-30-2009, 09:48 AM

to clear the trans fluid up- GM calls for their manual transmission fluid p/n 88861800. this is just the new packaging and number for Dex III, and all the camaros (except the aisin) came with dex III in them. its not a good idea to run gear oil in the trans, no matter if its royal purple or not. if youd like to use RP, use their synchromax fluid.

Doc · 10-30-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelleyperformance

to clear the trans fluid up- GM calls for their manual transmission fluid p/n 88861800. this is just the new packaging and number for Dex III, and all the camaros (except the aisin) came with dex III in them. its not a good idea to run gear oil in the trans, no matter if its royal purple or not. if youd like to use RP, use their synchromax fluid.

Synchromax is what they recommended for auto trans but they recommend Max Gear for the manual trans. I just went with their recommendation. Check their website they have a pretty good section on FAQ's as well as listing which products to use for which applications.

But thanks for the info on the GM parts and numbers.

10-29-2009, 04:45 PM	#31
dragrcr 2SS 6M Drives: 2010 2SS 6M Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga , CA Posts: 113	DIFF & TRANS OIL......... Doc, did you check with Royal Purple to see if their oil meets the GM spec for the components listed? The owners manual calls for a totally different oil for the trans than the oil for the differential. The diff takes 1 qt to fill but they want you to add 2.5 OZ of the additive. I just added the additive to the quart of oil and shook it up and then just squeezed in all I could. You cannot quite get it all in because the angle of the bottle will not allow it. So I had a couple ounces left over making the fill about the exact quart that they want. The trans calls for PN 88861800 Manual Transmission Fluid. NOT the Diff fluid. In some cases these transmissions use ATF. I was told that if you had a warantee issue that it better be red fluid that drains out. So, I would be sure that the manufacturer of whatever I put in my components meets the GM specs listed in the owners manual and that the manufacturer will back that up if you have a problem. There is a lot more to it than just protecting the gears. The oil has to also have the correct coefficient of friction so that the syncros and blocker rings all work properly. The engineering and construction of these transmissions is constantly evolving and being updated and I would not necessarily think that what works good in a Mazda trans is what Chevrolet wants in this trans. Also, be advised that the trans fluid is fill for life and does not ever need to be changed. No matter what the use. Attached Images Last edited by dragrcr; 10-29-2009 at 04:49 PM. Reason: spelling

10-29-2009, 05:58 PM	#32
Doc Dances With Mustangs Drives: 2010 1SS/RS MT Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Posts: 3,819 View My Garage	I checked with RP and their gear oil already has the additives in it, and Max Gear 75w90 is what they recommend for the manual trans and the diff. It just happens to be the same as what I used in my RX8 so I have years of experience with it and it's amazing stuff. __________________ Blue Angel is here!! 1SS/RS LS3 M6 IBM

10-29-2009, 06:27 PM	#35
Michael_Js SoCal C5 Family Member Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS - Black w/IOM; 6M Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 5,298 View My Garage	From what I remember, RP is NOT on GM's list of approved substances __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2010 Black 2SS/RS; 6M; IOM, GFX, sunroof; ADM Race CAI; Zoomers CB; Viper Alarm; Pdaft F&R sways, Adj Endlinks, Rtrailing arms, Camber kit, strut brace, Front Trailing Arm Bushing; SLP Skip-Shift Elim; Tinted lights/windows; Hurst Short-throw; LoJack; Door & Dash ABL Mods; ********; JBA Shorty headers; AACStyle LEDs; Stillen DS rotors, Hawk Ceramic pads; Havoc Blk Chrome wheels: 20x9s; Lingenfelter Blk Al Pedals; RevXtreme Catch Can; Goodridge SS lines; Ported TB; RK Sport hood; Hotchkis chassis brace; KW V3 coilovers;

10-29-2009, 09:54 PM	#38
CTS Drives: 2021 Sierra Denali 6.2L/10sp CC 4WD Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houghton, Michigan Posts: 234 View My Garage	The GM synthetic axle lube is a sub-standard product IMO. Whats more, GM does not make it. They just contract out to some oil company who packages it in the GM bottles. Its no better than any synthetic gear lube you will find on the shelf at any discount store. Look at label on the bottle, if it says made in Canada (like most of GM Lubes) then its made by Pertro Canada. A real synthetic gear lube should not need an additive. My 2005 Cadillac CTS with G80 was making noise before I hit 1,000 miles. The dealer changed the fluid and added the LSD additive, a few 1,000 miles later is was making noise in turns and clunking again. Back to the the dealer and they change it again following a GM bulletin. It works ok for a few 1,000 miles and starts to make the same noise all over again. Three times they used the GM synthetic and it did not hold up. And yes they added the additive. The last time they even flushed it and that only worked about 1,000 miles longer. I finally got fed up and told the dealer to put in AMSOIL. He said if you get it we'll install it for your. Never again was there a problem, drove the car 3 more years and never had the binding and clunking in the turns anymore. BTW-The Chevy dealer up the road had the AMSOIL on sale in the parts dept. __________________ Mike Synthoil Supply 2021 GMC Sierra Denali CC Ultimate 6.2L Last edited by CTS; 10-29-2009 at 10:09 PM.

10-30-2009, 09:48 AM	#41
kelleyperformance Drives: DD- 15' Chevy SS Sedan Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 233	to clear the trans fluid up- GM calls for their manual transmission fluid p/n 88861800. this is just the new packaging and number for Dex III, and all the camaros (except the aisin) came with dex III in them. its not a good idea to run gear oil in the trans, no matter if its royal purple or not. if youd like to use RP, use their synchromax fluid. __________________

10-29-2009, 06:12 PM	#34
dragrcr 2SS 6M Drives: 2010 2SS 6M Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga , CA Posts: 113	DOC, I will ask again. Does the Royal Purple that you are reccomending meet the GM spec listed for the appropriate component in the owners manual. I did not ask if it already had the additive.

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