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Changing MT + Differential oil

A

alphatarget1

Diamond Member
I looked at the manual and it looks like I have to fill it through a horizontal hole. I'm just not too sure how I can accomplish that...
 
It's very easy as long as you have a pair of jackstands and a jack or even just a set of ramps.

Walmart has a neat little mechanism that consists of a plastic pump and hose. It's like 5 bucks and is very helpful.

Make sure to undo the FILL plug first. Don't want to drain the fluid and find out you can't get the fill plug off. I recommend Redline fluids for both.

Have fun. 🙂

EDIT: forgot to mention, depending on the age of your car, you might want to spray the plugs with PBlaster the night before just to make your job easier.
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
It's very easy as long as you have a pair of jackstands and a jack or even just a set of ramps.

Walmart has a neat little mechanism that consists of a plastic pump and hose. It's like 5 bucks and is very helpful.

Make sure to undo the FILL plug first. Don't want to drain the fluid and find out you can't get the fill plug off. I recommend Redline fluids for both.

Have fun. 🙂

EDIT: forgot to mention, depending on the age of your car, you might want to spray the plugs with PBlaster the night before just to make your job easier.
Click to expand...

I have a set of ramps... Have done an oil change before but never did the MT + differentials. I'd be scared to back onto the ramp instead of driving forward.
 
Originally posted by: alphatarget1
Originally posted by: mariok2006
It's very easy as long as you have a pair of jackstands and a jack or even just a set of ramps.

Walmart has a neat little mechanism that consists of a plastic pump and hose. It's like 5 bucks and is very helpful.

Make sure to undo the FILL plug first. Don't want to drain the fluid and find out you can't get the fill plug off. I recommend Redline fluids for both.

Have fun. 🙂

EDIT: forgot to mention, depending on the age of your car, you might want to spray the plugs with PBlaster the night before just to make your job easier.
Click to expand...

I have a set of ramps... Have done an oil change before but never did the MT + differentials. I'd be scared to back onto the ramp instead of driving forward.
Click to expand...

I guess you could find a spotter. If you're really uncomfortable doing it, just pick up a set of jacks at the local auto parts store or walmart. Like 15 bucks + another 15 for a basic floor jack. These will probably come in handy in the future anyway...
 
I use a small pump that screws onto the gear oil bottle to fill the differentials. I dont know if Subaru suggests it, but I pull the diff covers off when changing the fluid. You can get more of the oil out, and usually it's the dirtiest stuff that you cannot syphon out.
 
Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Haven't done a diff in ages.... Do they still contain the foulest smelling oil on earth in them?
Click to expand...

Hypoid gear oil. A substance whose scent proves that oil really is derived from dead marine animals. 😛

ZV
 
LOL, glad I was not alone in this experience.... It was foul...

iamwiz82 - I know what you mean, after a while something makes you want to smell the badness again.

 
On most manual gear boxes and rear differentials, the fill plug hole will
take up to about a 3/8" diameter hose .. any bigger and it won't fit in the
hole where the plug was. It is best to use clear plastic tubing, as you can
then see the gear oil going in. Most gear oil bottles come with a tapered
nozzle on it which can be used directly in the hole if you want to. You need
to add enough oil until it reaches the bottom of the fill hole. This is usually
when it starts flowing back out the hole. Keep a pan under it and keep yourself
away from getting the oil on you. It does stink. Redline is ok, as is Castro for
gear oil. Usually 85W90 weight .. check the owner's manual for your car.
And if you have a Limited Slip Rear end, be sure to put in the GM limited slip
additive, as it is essential for long rear end clutch life.
 
Originally posted by: bruceb
And if you have a Limited Slip Rear end, be sure to put in the GM limited slip
additive, as it is essential for long rear end clutch life.
Click to expand...

Just a quick clarification. You will only need friction modifiers if the car uses a clutch-type limited slip differential. Many cars now use TORSEN type LSDs which do not need friction modifiers as they do not have clutches.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: bruceb
And if you have a Limited Slip Rear end, be sure to put in the GM limited slip
additive, as it is essential for long rear end clutch life.
Click to expand...

Just a quick clarification. You will only need friction modifiers if the car uses a clutch-type limited slip differential. Many cars now use TORSEN type LSDs which do not need friction modifiers as they do not have clutches.

ZV
Click to expand...

A fair amount of oils do have modifiers in them already. The Richmond Gear Lube I used already had it in there. Also, the synthetics don't smell nearly as bad as the old natural. That said, it's gonna stink when you open up the cover.

You might spend $100 on fluids for the trans and diff, but you don't change them very often, so don't skimp.
 
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