'98 Pathfinder diff. questions

Bimmerfta · Jan 12th, 2007, 10:51 AM

Anyone know where i can get DYI instructions for diff Fluid replacement on a '98 Pathfinder. Also would like to know who fluid is reccomended and what people have used and their thoughts. Have 115k miles on it with no diff fluid replacement yet, anything i shoudl be worried about with the fluid change?

Thanks

lewisnc100 · Jan 12th, 2007, 11:05 AM

Any idea if you have LSD or not? Do you have 2WD or 4WD?

Bimmerfta · Jan 12th, 2007, 11:28 AM

2WD, no idea on the LSD any way i can find out?

lewisnc100 · Jan 12th, 2007, 12:13 PM

LSD wasn't offered in the 2WD models so you should be fine. Pretty straightforward, remove the fill plug first, then the drain plug. Drain and refill. Lots of posts in the past on steps as well as preferred brands, try a quick search on differential and you'll find them.

**88pathoffroad** · Jan 13th, 2007, 03:22 PM

Yep. Pull the fill plug, pull the drain plug, drain. Replace drain plug after cleaning the magnet off and refill with GL-5 gear oil until the oil is level with the bottom of the fill hole.

Bimmerfta · Jan 14th, 2007, 04:17 PM

OK so i wanted to use 80w-90 in the diff as i live in texas and the cold weather is not so much of a problem for us down here, but Mobile 1 only makes 75w-90 in synthetic. And the Mobile 1 synthetic is designed for LSDs. Can i use a fluid that contains friction modifiers for an LSD in my non-LSD differential. Will the friction modifiers cause any problems or effect gas milage? Mobil 1 makes a 80w-90 HD non-synthetic. By the description is is a heavy duty commercial gear lube for On-highway light and heavy duty trucks, busses, vans, and cars use. Has anyone used this stuff can I use it in my PF which is a commuter car? Any info anyone can provide would be greately appreciated. Was also considering getting some quaker state gear fluid. I did not find much on the forums on brands people like accept Mobil 1 and ROyal purple, has anyone tried Redline?

Thanks

Bimmerfta · Jan 15th, 2007, 10:20 AM

one more thing, if i have traditional gear oil in there currently is there any danger with filling it with synthetic now? i would not think so but wanted to confirm with you guys.

Thanks.

**88pathoffroad** · Jan 15th, 2007, 12:56 PM

It doesn't matter. Synthetic is good, doesn't matter about the LSD additive, 75-90 is fine. Redline is good stuff.

Bimmerfta · Jan 15th, 2007, 08:58 PM

Thanks for all the info 88.

PathyGirl · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:50 PM

I just recently did this job on my '98 Pathfinder and got a really good tip from a parts store guy.

Buy a siphon pump! I got mine for $8.00 at Wal-Mart and it worked marvelously. Makes getting all that thick oil in there a breeze!

Just thought I'd pass it along....

KLL · Feb 19th, 2007, 02:03 AM

let me ask if there is any difference after changing oil. i have hard shifting if there is not so much load on shaft. diff makes a "thumb" sound.

Bimmerfta · Feb 20th, 2007, 07:39 AM

I did not really notice any diff when changing the diff fluid.. only thing is that i fell like the gas milage went down.?.? The fluid i took out was pretty clean and i use quaker state synthetic to change with. I dont think many people on here use QS but though i would give it a try as i use it for oil.

KLL · Feb 23rd, 2007, 01:23 AM

milage improvement? weird. but it is a good thing. i am gone for diff oil change, i will return soon

Bimmerfta · Feb 26th, 2007, 05:39 PM

no no. gas mileage got worse not better