Changing fluid in my 97 Firebird means pulling the cover so when I crawled under my QS and there was a plug on the bottom of the diff, I was pleased. Makes changing fluid really easy. Used 3 quarts of Mobil 1 and a little limited slip additive for good measure. Seems to be working like normal.

Yeah, that is a real nice feature.

I always thought it took more than three quarts.... hmm... might have to do mine real soon, then .

I changed my rear Axle Fluids too, but I used Schaeffers #267.

I now have a "Whine" in my drivetrain that can be varied by speed.

I regret changing my fluids because of this. It was quiet before and now the drive-line sounds like a piece of CRAP. Other than this, I love the truck.

When you swapped to Mobil 1, did you get a whine at all?

I could take to a dealer and pretend to them I didn't change my oil and see what happens.

I don't really want them screwing around in my diff and taking it all apart. After all, everything was OK until I changed the Oil.

In Canada, the GM QS Oil costs $40.00 a Litre and I have 3 of them sitting on the shelf in my Garage. I would love to swap out the Schaeffers with GM stuff, but if it doesn't work, I've just wasted $120.00 in Oil... because the Dealer might drain it and throw it away.

I've talked to guys on the other site about this and they are all waiting for my findings from the Dealer. I think I just have to change my Oil. The other thing that REALLY bugs me, is that day I changed my rear axle oil, I changed my transfer case oil AND my front Axle oil too. So which item is making the noise. I don't have a friggin clue.

My advice to anyone is change one items fluid only and then go for a drive... if it's quiet, then change the next item. This way you'll know which one make is making the noise!!!

Hey Dean,

First off, I apologize. I have not had time to get your QS sticker in the mail.

Regarding the whine you are experiencing... I recently had the dealer change my pinion seal under warranty because it was leaking. The fluid the used in the differential cause a grinding sound from the rear. I wonder if this is the sound that you are hearing? I took it back and complained. They had to call GM and GM found a Service Bulletin that had not been published yet that stated that a special Differential fluid needed to be used. It did clear up the grinding sound for me. I'll post part numbers when I get home. I'm still out of town at my Father in Law's house

Can you explain how you changed the front Axel oil? Was there a drain and a fill plug? With my skid plate installed, I can only find a drain plug... or what I think is a drain plug.

Let us know how you make out!

Sean

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Seanp1,

When I'm getting something for free, I've learned to be patient. I'm looking forward to getting the QS Decal.

Below is a picture of the Oil I have sitting on a shelf in my Garage.



Note that these bottles have the Canadian part numbers on them. The only reason why these part numbers are different from the American bottles is because ours have been re-labeled to include French descriptions on them.

I can actually see the American label underneath the Canadian one. How cheesy is that?

Front Axle Oil = 89021678 = $12.04 Rear "QuadraSteer" Axle Oil = 88901362 = $31.88 Auto-Trac Transfer Case Oil = 10953626 = $4.01

The part number for the Rear QuadraSteer Oil you are probably going to give me is #12378557. That would be the American part number.

Here is the link to site I used to help me change my Front Diff Oil.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/IAR_FrontDifffluid.shtml

Once you are on this Link, just scroll down and you'll see what a picture of what the Front Diff looks like. The 2 Plugs are close to each other on the same side of the Diff. You'll see them clearly after you remove your Skid Plate.

The above Link has lots of valuable info on it. Feel free to surf around that link at the other topics.

Does your bill from the Dealer also have the actual TSB that was used to fix this noise problem?

I used Schaeffers #267 on the recommendation that it was 1.) superior, 2.) quieter running than the GM stuff, 3.) and cheaper to buy than the GM stuff.

I agree with #3 but the other 2 items have failed to happen for me.



Here is link to a topic on the former C3/Denali site that talks of the Drive Line noise problem. There are 53 responses to this particular topic. When you get to the bottom of the page, be sure to select the next page. You will see me on there talking about this problem too.


http://groups.msn.com/GMCC3Owners/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=12666&LastModified=4675497491757368472

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 2003 GMC Denali,

Dean, I know from reading some stuff from "the other place" that as long as you have used an oil that meets a specific standard the dealer can "go blow" about you changing the stuff yourself. So long as you have done it right and whatever. If you have (and I am sure you have) take the thing in and raise a little Cain. I bet you get it done for nothing? Worth a try anyhow. Butch should know for sure as he sells the stuff(Schaefer's)

Hi Dean,

Thanks for the link to the other site with the front differential changeout writeup. That'll help tremendously. I need to find a pump or a tube long enuff to do that so I don't spill all the fluid going in.

Sorry, my bill from the dealer doesn't include the TSB #. It does say the following: "Replace fluid in rear diff per PI AIP3032A"

The part number ( USA of course) is what you stated it would be: 12378577.

Hope you get your driveline whine resolved soon!

Sean

Sorry to hear you got whine, Dean. That sucks. Did you use the posi additive with the schaeffers ?? There's an additive lube already mixed in that *special* quadrasteer gear lube. When using other lubes, you're supposed to add it seperately.

I've heard of that Schaeffers stuff. Some swear by it... some swear at it.... I've heard of folks running Mobil1... I'm spooked to run the wrong stuff, but the stealer wants such a stupid amount for the factory stuff...

KTG, how's the Mobil1 working out for you ?? What weight did you use ??

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrQuadrasteer,

I used the Mobil 75w90 or 80w90, what ever it is. I added a couple ounces of Redline limited slip additive. It groaned a little when turning in reverse so I added a couple more ounces and I haven't noticed any sounds since. No whine either. I just couldn't bring myself to pay what they want for the GM fluid.

I used the GM Posi-Additive. I added in one bottle to the Rear Diff.

AMSZOIL sells a really neat Pump for dispensing Gear Oil. It fits right on to a bottle of Gear Oil. It comes with a Clear Rubber Tube.

I might end up taking to the Dealer and letting them play with it. I just fear them screwing around with it and making it worse. Maybe I can recommend to them to just change the oil and then see what happens?

Dean,

I'm betting that if you don't tell them that you've changed the rear Diff fluid, that they will try that first before they tear anything mechanical down. I say give it a go and let us know Hah.. that Rhymed

Sean

We have a Prophet, and now a poet !!!!

Hmm... tough call whether to tell them or not what you've done... Just take it in and tell them it whines.... The lube in there about the same color as stock ??

Just for your information and hoppfully I can get some feed back my GM dealer changed my Rear diff fluid and did not put the correct oil in and I got the same grinding noise in my 2004 silverado. They have orderd the correct fluid and I hope it will take care of the noise. Has anyone else had this problem?

Matt

Matt,

Welcome aboard, but sorry to hear about your troubles. Yes, a lot of people have had this problem. But, the good news is that it seems to be solved by the correct fluid. In some cases they had to change it to the correct fluid a couple times to fix it. I guess the first one acted as a flush. Here is a link to our discussion of it here on the board. (there's a mighty fine spreadsheet there that somes up all the findings )


Differential Fluid

Be sure to note the correct fluid part number listed in that thread.

FYI update for the link to the gm-trucks link that Dean gave above. The gm-truck site says they have changed to a different server to store their info, so for your convenience:

http://gm-trucks.com/home/content/view/144/25/