Jacking point and differential fluid change question

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Dhos1

Self-tuning wanna-be
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,472
I'm in the process of changing my differential fluid and am trying to figure out where you place jackstands in a safe position. I always jack w/ the floor jack underneath the differential and secure the jackstands underneath the axle on each side....but the GN, the sway bar is in the way. Where do you guys place the stands to keep the rearend up and level to some degree?

Brian
 
The factory jacking points are on the frame near the wheelwheels. THere is a hole in the frame to engage the platform of the factory jack and it's pretty evident.

Now having said that at times I want to lift both wheels off the ground at the same time so I use the engine cradle (in the front) and I have been known to put the jack on the swaybar and lift the whole rear end. It hasn't hurt it yet but I do have the ATR rear bar and I don't think it's possible to bend that.
 
I put them right under each shock bracket. If I use a jack under the diff, I put a piece of 1x4 between the swaybar and the diff to keep from bending it too much.
 
I'll go that route then. If I bend the sway bar, I'll just get a new one lol
 
You don't need the rear end level to do a diff fluid change. In fact you want the rear end to hang down so you can get at the fill plug easier. With the rear end hanging you can even tip a quart bottle of gear oil up and squeeze it in the fill hole.
 
Hey I'm doing the same thing this weekend. I already have the gas tank out so I figured what the hell!

I was looking at differential fluids at advance auto parts the other day and wasn't sure what to get? What do you all suggest? The have mobil 1, royal purple synthetic and a couple more blends. What should I get and what weight for a stock rear end?
 
75w90 is fine. If you have the G80 limited slip diff you will need a bottle of posilube if you use non synthetic lube.
 
75w90 is fine. If you have the G80 limited slip diff you will need a bottle of posilube if you use non synthetic lube.
Thanks, I'm going to get a synthetic. Never replaced fluid in a differential before. How much fluid does the pumpkin hold? How many bottles should I grab.

Apologies to the original poster for the threadjack!
 
2 quarts will do it. I use a gasket but others just use RTV/gasket maker. The plug is on the passenger side top of the diff and a 3/8" square drive of ratchet fits in it to remove it.
 
When I change my diff fluid I either let the axle hang down or back up on car ramps and put the front on jack stands while I do other fluids.
 
Make sure you can get the fill plug out before you pull the cover and drain. Nothing worse than an empty pumpkin and not being able to fill it. This applies to transfer cases too.
X2 on the shock mounts with the jackstands.
I use a gasket.

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I think I'm going to pick up a couple drain plug kits. One for the differential cover and one for the tranny pan.
 
A drain plug on the rear is OK but not used much. On the tranny pan it is a must. The main difference is that dropping the trans pan for a filter/fluid change can be quite a mess. Unless of course that handy (!) drain plug is there to use.

When removing the rear cover, leave the top most bolt in place but loose. Then carefully pry the bottom of the cover open. Can place a screwdriver shaft between the cover and diff housing to keep it open. This directs the fluid out in a more defined (read: controlled) stream.

RemoveBeforeFlight
 
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