03 Tahoe Rear Differential fluid change

[Lessor1007]

Anyone know of a good link to a DIY rear differential fluid change on this thing?

 

[Max]

Do you have a drain plug? Should be in the bottom of the axle housing has a square 3/8" plug. Some of the tahoes didn't come with a drain and you'll have to pull the cover to drain the oil. Kinda time consuming but it's pretty easy, I'll see if I can find a writeup for ya.

 

[Lessor1007]

Yeah I do not see a drain plug, I was hoping it would be that EASY. Thanks for the response i appreciate the help.

 

[quick66ss]

I just did this on my 07 and found dropping the spare tire gave me the room to make the job a little less frustrating.

 

[yooformula]

I would drop the pan to at least clean out the magnet and wipe the cover off.

 

[NathanJax]

Drop the pan by BARELY loosening the bolts all the way around, and then start loosening the lower bolts till all the fluid drains out. Take the cover off, remove the old gasket from the pan and diff, buy a $3 gasket to replace it... and I used Royal Purple Max-Gear Fluid In Rear Differential.

 

[AkursedX]

I would like to add a few questions to this thread because I feel they would help here if someone searched. Plus, I will be doing my rear end fluid soon and I need to know.


First off, what is the torque spec for the bolts on the cover?

Second, how much fluid do you put in? I am assuming you just fill it up until it overflows out of the fill spot on the side of the housing?

 

[gtbigup01]

I just did this on my 07 and found dropping the spare tire gave me the room to make the job a little less frustrating.

You changed your diff fluid on a 07? How often is it supposed to be changed. I bought an 06 Nali with 66K back in June and I need to change mine, but want to do it myself since the stealership said $139 each

 

[afpj]

This may be too basic for you, but I like the pics (because I'm a simpleton)
http://www.gm-trucks.com/resources/...and-rear-differential-fluid-in-your-half-ton/

 

[gtbigup01]

This may be too basic for you, but I like the pics (because I'm a simpleton)
http://www.gm-trucks.com/resources/...and-rear-differential-fluid-in-your-half-ton/

Great write-up, thank you. However my manual for my nali says to use 75W 90 syn for both front and rear differential. May not be a big deal but may be a reason they say synthetic.

pg 6-13 for 06 Nali