While I am waiting for my "Service Manual CD" can someone tell me how easy it is to access the drain and fill plugs of the rear axle? Any secrets to changing this fluid?

What are you all using? Guide recommends Spirax 90 by Shell.

 

Easy access. No tricks. Pretty much like an ordinary car.

I use whatever name brand 80/90 gear oil is on sale that day. Nothing exotic is required on these cars. If you have limited slip (unlikely) you'll want to get a gear oil designed for limited slip differentials or buy a separate additive. I use GM #1052358 but ordnary parts stores have similar.

When changing any fluid remove the fill plug first, then drain. Although unlikely, you wouldn't want to drain old fluid before knowing you have a way to install the new !

Cheers
DD

 

Doug, I cant find the fill plug..I see what I believe is the drain plug (square nut up through a hold in plate), but where is the fill hole?

 

What I am finding as a fill hole is a black plastic cover and then a small plastic "lid" towards the rear of car on the ribs of the rear axle. I was expecting a nut, but is this plastic thing the fill hole?

 

I'm stumped. Mine has a conventional threaded filler plug. I'd say the plastic thing is the filler but you might wanna wait for others to chime in

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug,

I think I got if finally figured out. The fill hole is a female 1/2 inch square, and points to the back of the car. THe drain hole is obviously underneath and is a 1/2 inch male bolt. Are your bolts the square male/female type? I have to go buy a darn square socket for the drain, but I just used a 1/2 inch square socket driver for the fill hole.

Oil stunk to high hell, definately time to change, but no signs of damage other than that. Manual says 2.2 quarts. I could find regular 90, so I bought valvoline 80w90 extreme pressure gear oil.

Thanks again

 

The small plastic "lid" is the vent.

 

I just welded 2 old 1/2" sockets with both squares outward.

bob gauff

 

Yes, not sure why those darn square bolts threw me for such a loop when the solution was very easy...
1- use a 1/2 inch socket extension for the female fill hole plug
2- Use the same 1/2 inch socket extension used backwards for the male drain plug and use a 1/2 inch open wrench to turn it.

So simple, I just wasnt thinking.