Foolishly I topped up the axle oil level to the bottom of the level plug and only afterwards read in the manual that this is incorrect. The correct procedure is to drain the axle using a syphon and then add 1.2L of oil.

My problem is, how do you get a syphon tube to the bottom of the diff. So far I have only got out one litre from what was a full to the level plug axle.

Alternatively does anybody know how far below the filler plug the oil level should be. On my previous Sierra 4x4 a similar situation existed with the oil level but there was a published distance down to the oil level and I made up a little cranked dip stick that went through the filler hole to check the level.
Anybody know what this distance is on the X-Type diff please?

Thank you for any help
Alan

 

Alan, the 1.2L of fluid is an ideal amount. Because you have to syphon it out, you are not going to get all that you can. You were correct in that the proper level is filled so it is at the bottom edge of the fill hole (hence why they put it where they did). Suck out what you can and go from there. Just make sure to put the 75W-140 full synthetic fluid back in.

If you feel as you need to do a "100% change", then you can add in what you can and then drain that right back out and then put in a second batch of fluid. This will get rid of most of what was left in the way of old fluid. But, in the big scheme of things, sucking out what you can and then filling it back up is all that needs to be done. The only exception to this would be if you are finding metal particles. Then, well, you have bigger issues and a rear end rebuild will be needed.