I have 15k miles on my S and I was thinking about changing my diff fluid. Is this a difficult procedure? I am by no means a mechanical expert. My experience is limited to oil changes. Are there any do-it-yourself threads on s2ki on the subject?

Also, I am thinking about taking my car to the track for the first time. If I do, should I flush the brake fluid? Is this hard to do either?

 

Changing the diff fluid was one of the easiest things I have done. Make sure you get two new crush washers and remember to wipe the metal shavings off of the magnetic drain plug. Other than that, it's just two bolts, one to drain, one to fill. Having a little fluid pump or a very long hose for your funnell is needed too, because the fill hole is in a tough spot.

 

be careful not to damage the aluminum fins when you remove the bolts.

BTW, you might want to consider putting Mobil 1 synthetic gear lube in there. good stuff.

 

Sorry if this is a stupid question but what are the "aluminum fins?"

Saab,

I just got done performing my first diff fluid change over the weekend and it was fairly easy. I'm about 6' 2" 200 lbs. so it was kind of tough squeezing under the rear end to perform the operation. I got about halfway through before I just said the heck with it and went ahead and jacked up the driver's side rear to make the rest of the job easier. The hardest part for me was getting the entire bottle of fluid to feed through the tube and into the differential. It took a bit of negotaiting but I got it to go. After the bottle was in I dropped the car back down to level, let the excess fluid drain out of the fill hole, screwed in the fill bolt and went for a drive. The difference in feel was instantly noticeable. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that EVERYONE over 5,000 miles go ahead and perform this basic maintenance duty. I performed my change at 4,100 miles and the fluid was already beyond disgusting. The magnetic drain bolt had a nice huge glob of metal shaving sludge on it already waiting for me. If you are at 15,000 miles already Saab, and haven't done this yet, put it at the top of your "things to do" list. FYI, I used Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Fluid.

Saab, if you haven't seen this already check it out. It is XViper's DIY differential oil change step by step with pics.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=99995

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by honda606
[B]

 

Another tip; do the diff change when the fluid is good and warm, immediately after a good highway drive. Small particles of metal sit on the bottom of the dif fluid. When cold, if you drain the fluid, the particles will not come out, the oil will run off the top of them. A good drive puts them in supension in the oil, so they come out. Expect to remove about 80% more of these contaminants when the fluid is hot, and dropped as soon as the car is stopped. This goes for the dif, the tranny, and most important, the ENGINE.

 

easier than changing the oil. Make sure you have the right tools tho.

 

Everyone's DIY and How To's are at the top in "Under the Hood" in the thread entitled "Commonly Asked Questions".