ZL1 Rear Diff Fluid - is RP OK? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

StreetRage320 · 07-13-2018, 10:05 PM

I am changing my rear differential fluid this weekend 2013 ZL1. I have really piled up the miles lately and I am now nearing 1800 miles..

I know the manual calls for AC Delco 10-4034, GM#88862624, but nobody stocks this fluid near me.

I am curious if anyone knows if I can use Royal Purple Max Gear 75w-90 Synthetic High Performance Gear Oil w/Friction Modifier Additive? This is stocked at Napa and O'Reilly's.

DrkPhx · 07-13-2018, 10:41 PM

I would use the GM fluid. I've done my twice (30K miles now) both with the GM fluid. Order it from Amazon or ebay so you can get it in a couple of days.

Mrgwrnch · 07-13-2018, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

I would use the GM fluid. I've done my twice (30K miles now) both with the GM fluid. Order it from Amazon or ebay so you can get it in a couple of days.

I used the same GM fluid from Amazon, It takes 2.1 quarts.

StreetRage320 · 07-13-2018, 11:06 PM

Thanks, I just placed my order with Amazon for the OEM fluid.

SecondZ28 · 07-14-2018, 08:23 AM

I used GM fluid too, it was very easy. Was Pleasantly surprised that both the fill & drain plugs are magnetic.

Read too much of potential groan with name brand fluids,

RobZL1 · 07-14-2018, 03:17 PM

I concur. I put RP in my transmission, but stuck with GM fluid for the diff.

Crash76 · 07-15-2018, 10:44 PM

Redline is what I use

StreetRage320 · 07-16-2018, 10:20 PM

My AC Delco Diff fluid arrived today and I did my fluid change. Was quite easy. I did drive the car for about 10 minutes to heat up the fluid a bit, only to burn my forearm several times on the exhaust, lol..

I placed my wood ramps on a slight decline in my driveway and back the car up the ramps until level. It gave me enough room to operate under the car safely.

I had seen many reports of low fluid from the factory and heavy metal on the magnets. I am pleased to report GM had my fluid at the exact level and I had very little metal for the break in (IMO). It was more of just a very fine metal/sludge on the magnets.

I attached some pictures that may help someone else who decides it's Diff Fluid DIY time for the Z..

Zillion · 07-17-2018, 02:09 PM

Thanks OP!! Seeing how easy this is I'm going to give it a go and replace mine as well.

7_ws6ta_9 · 07-17-2018, 07:38 PM

How much did you put in there? 2.1 or till it spilled out?

StreetRage320 · 07-17-2018, 08:49 PM

I put two full quarts in and it did not spill out yet..I then opened the third quart and I made 2 or 3 pumps and it started spilling out. I am not sure how critical those 2 or 3 squirts of fluid are? But our differentials get a workout so I wanted to give it every last drop I could.

StreetRage320 · 07-17-2018, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zillion

Thanks OP!! Seeing how easy this is I'm going to give it a go and replace mine as well.

No problem. I am glad it was helpful. If you have an assortment of 3/8 drive ratchet extensions that helps with the top fill port. The exhaust is sort of in the way. But with an extension it is no problem. Very simple procedure and since there is metal and no filter (just magnets), probably a good idea to keep up on the diff changes. That little hand pump I have came in very handy.

Happy_Dan · 07-18-2018, 07:16 AM

Great writeup on how easy it is. I use Royal Purple LS and have no issues.

07-13-2018, 10:05 PM	#1
StreetRage320 Those who need me got me Drives: 2022 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Southwest, MN Posts: 624	ZL1 Rear Diff Fluid - is RP OK? I am changing my rear differential fluid this weekend 2013 ZL1. I have really piled up the miles lately and I am now nearing 1800 miles.. I know the manual calls for AC Delco 10-4034, GM#88862624, but nobody stocks this fluid near me. I am curious if anyone knows if I can use Royal Purple Max Gear 75w-90 Synthetic High Performance Gear Oil w/Friction Modifier Additive? This is stocked at Napa and O'Reilly's. __________________

07-13-2018, 11:06 PM	#4
StreetRage320 Those who need me got me Drives: 2022 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Southwest, MN Posts: 624	Thanks, I just placed my order with Amazon for the OEM fluid. __________________

07-14-2018, 08:23 AM	#5
SecondZ28 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 807	I used GM fluid too, it was very easy. Was Pleasantly surprised that both the fill & drain plugs are magnetic. Read too much of potential groan with name brand fluids, __________________ '13 ZL1 '06 TBSS '98 TJ '87 GN

07-14-2018, 03:17 PM	#6
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,281	I concur. I put RP in my transmission, but stuck with GM fluid for the diff. __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp Past Rides- 2014 ZL1 M6 Red Hot \| Tons of mods 2004 CTS-V M6 Silver \| Many mods 1995 Corvette M6 Torch Red \| A few more mods 1992 Camaro M5 White \| A few mods

07-17-2018, 08:49 PM	#11
StreetRage320 Those who need me got me Drives: 2022 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Southwest, MN Posts: 624	I put two full quarts in and it did not spill out yet..I then opened the third quart and I made 2 or 3 pumps and it started spilling out. I am not sure how critical those 2 or 3 squirts of fluid are? But our differentials get a workout so I wanted to give it every last drop I could. __________________

07-13-2018, 10:41 PM	#2
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	I would use the GM fluid. I've done my twice (30K miles now) both with the GM fluid. Order it from Amazon or ebay so you can get it in a couple of days.

07-15-2018, 10:44 PM	#7
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	Redline is what I use

07-16-2018, 10:20 PM	#8
StreetRage320 Those who need me got me Drives: 2022 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Southwest, MN Posts: 624	My AC Delco Diff fluid arrived today and I did my fluid change. Was quite easy. I did drive the car for about 10 minutes to heat up the fluid a bit, only to burn my forearm several times on the exhaust, lol.. I placed my wood ramps on a slight decline in my driveway and back the car up the ramps until level. It gave me enough room to operate under the car safely. I had seen many reports of low fluid from the factory and heavy metal on the magnets. I am pleased to report GM had my fluid at the exact level and I had very little metal for the break in (IMO). It was more of just a very fine metal/sludge on the magnets. I attached some pictures that may help someone else who decides it's Diff Fluid DIY time for the Z.. Attached Images __________________

07-17-2018, 02:09 PM	#9
Zillion Drives: 2015 Summit White ZL1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 54 View My Garage	Thanks OP!! Seeing how easy this is I'm going to give it a go and replace mine as well.

07-17-2018, 07:38 PM	#10
7_ws6ta_9 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: MI Posts: 16	How much did you put in there? 2.1 or till it spilled out?

07-18-2018, 07:16 AM	#13
Happy_Dan Happy_Dan Drives: 2012 IOM Camaro ZL1 #569 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Boston, NH Posts: 2,239	Great writeup on how easy it is. I use Royal Purple LS and have no issues.