Can someone tell me what the correct fluid is for a 97 SE 4x4? Also, I had the rear diff serviced at 60,000 miles. Now I am at 90k. Should I drain and refill or should I just top off. I believe I have a small leak, but have not taken a look yet. I may also have to reseal it, which also means then I would have to completely drain and refill.
The owner's manual for you truck should list the recommended gear oil used for the diff. From my experience the stuff seems to last a long time, 30K would be early in my opinion. But, if your fixing a leak, that’s a different story.
Drain and refill. Rearend/frontend/xcase fluids don't last as long as everyone thinks. This stuff is usually toast at 15k miles and less if towing or plowing.
Originally posted by 2000SE This stuff is usually toast at 15k miles and less if towing or plowing.
Man, I drained mine after 100k for kicks - and the oil was still very good. I'm not going to worry about it again for awhile unless I notice a leak. Lube shops usually recommend a flush about every 60k I think - but then again, they're in it to make a buck...
Looks/smell/color has nothing to do with fluid quality.
Only an analysis will let anyone know if the fluid is "good".
Yeah, everyone is in it to make a buck! And the biggest buck to be made are by the automakers and parts suppliers
Use any quality GL5 75 or 80w/90s. I prefer the synthetics like Amsoil/Mobil1/Redline.....
Correct fluid choice is in your owners manual. But, if you lost it, try downloading it or the FSM here: http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...?dept%5Fid=201
Originally posted by 2000SE Looks/smell/color has nothing to do with fluid quality.
Only an analysis will let anyone know if the fluid is "good".
I tend to disagree, You can tell if the gear oil is failing to do its job if you are pilling off clumps of metal shavings from the magnetic drain plug (however in most of these cases your oil level was probably low from leaking). Otherwise oil texture and color could also be used as identifiers. Bottom line, gear oil lasts a lot longer than just 15k miles. Man, that's when I'd prefer to change my synthetic motor oil if I knew the filter would last that long (I usually do an oil change every 7500). Also, The owners manual in my wife's car says that her 5-spd tranny doesn't ever need to be serviced - the gear oil last the life of the car. But then again, I don't know what you are experiencing with your vehicle. I used to be a little concerned with the trucks that I towed with - but diff services at 60K is more than sufficient - IMHO.
I went ahead and just opened the fill plug and topped it off. Didn't need much if any. I don't know why it appeared to be leaking. The plug was on pretty tight. Since I put the plug back in, it doesn't seem to be leaking anymore.
I would recommend a few wraps of Teflon tape when you replace a fill or drain plug. Remember to wrap it counter-clockwise as you're looking at the outside of the plug, so it doesn't ball up on ya when you go to thread it in.
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