Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Maintenance and fluids

Something not working right?

by KE7WOX » Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:00 am

So, my T Case is due for an oil change aswell as the front diff.
This I really feel like doing it myself rather than taking it somewhere, so I'm looking for more info about instructions (in case someone has documented this), quantities, tools needed and recommended fluids (something more than the manual calls for (75W-90 and GM's oil), I'd get good stuff, no Walmart-brand crap or Pennzoil.
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by fishsticks » Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:40 am

KE7WOX wrote:So, my T Case is due for an oil change aswell as the front diff.
This I really feel like doing it myself rather than taking it somewhere, so I'm looking for more info about instructions (in case someone has documented this), quantities, tools needed and recommended fluids (something more than the manual calls for (75W-90 and GM's oil), I'd get good stuff, no Walmart-brand crap or Pennzoil.


Everything is documented on the OS procedure wise. Capacities are in the owner's manual.

My recent fluid changes took:

F Diff: 2 Qt Mobile 1 75w90 Synthetic (didnt use all of it)
R Diff: 2 Qt Mobile 1 75w90 Synthetic
Xfer Case: 2 Qt GM AutoTrac
Trans Flush: 14 Qt Dexron 6 ATF + Tranny filter+pan gasket
Oil: 7 Qt Mobile 1 5w30 Synthetic + Filter


I did them all at once. I think I spent 200ish in parts.

Don't need much more than a 3/8" ratchet, a couple sockets (13mm, 18mm I think) and an allen wrench set to do everything.


Oh yeah, a small hand pump is handy for getting your diff/xfer case fluids in. A few bucks and usually next to the gear lube at most auto parts places.
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by KE7WOX » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:38 am

Do they normally have the 75W90 at Autozone/Checkers/similar?
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by Mooseknuckle » Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:49 am

yes autozone ,pep boys. Was just there yesterday. But you could always call them first to make sure
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by MrSmithsTB » Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:17 pm

KE7WOX wrote:Do they normally have the 75W90 at Autozone/Checkers/similar?


Stock item at 99.9% of all auto stores
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by Zero » Tue May 04, 2010 10:38 am

make sure you spray the hell out of the drain and fill bolts on the t case and diff with some penetrating lube to get things to loosen up. A lot of people have had a hard time getting them out due to rust and what not.

personally I would say go get the amsoil dif fluid. the severe gear series stuff. I have used it in every diff I work on and never had a complaint. It has some extra stuff in it to make it even more stable at high temps and high preasures.
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by HARDTRAILZ » Tue May 04, 2010 10:31 pm

Just did the TC today. No issues at all with getting plugs out. Took right around 2 qts of the GM fluid.

Picked up 3 quarts of Mobil 1 Syn 75-90 and some posi trac additive, but thinking I may take it back and get GM stuff since I did not get to do it today.

Got 5 qts IV tranny fluid and a filter, but gonna hold off til after Tecore on the advice of Barton.

Also got another oil filter...went with Fram Tough Guard. Got a ton of oil, so trying to use it up, but I just use regular oil not synthetic.

Fluids are not cheap, but they are cheaper than paying to get it done or not doing it and having something fail.
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by MrSmithsTB » Wed May 05, 2010 10:57 am

HARDTRAILZ wrote:Just did the TC today. No issues at all with getting plugs out. Took right around 2 qts of the GM fluid.

Picked up 3 quarts of Mobil 1 Syn 75-90 and some posi trac additive, but thinking I may take it back and get GM stuff since I did not get to do it today.

Got 5 qts IV tranny fluid and a filter, but gonna hold off til after Tecore on the advice of Barton.

Also got another oil filter...went with Fram Tough Guard. Got a ton of oil, so trying to use it up, but I just use regular oil not synthetic.

Fluids are not cheap, but they are cheaper than paying to get it done or not doing it and having something fail.



Just did my front diff with the new drivers side seal. I'm holding off on the rear until I buy a diff guard, and holding off on the TC until I get the new front output seal. Advance was having a sale on castrol, so I picked up a case and a couple of filters. Changing oil and cleaning throttle body again today. I think I bought myself a few months on the water pump by adding bars in March. Can't see a leak anymore.
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