I just spent an hour or so draining the transmission and differential oils. The process went smoothly enough. What came out of the transmission was a nice golden color. It probably didn't need changing but I just felt like it. I replaced it with the GMSMFM. I don't have any significant mileage on it as of this posting so I can't say if I think it helped anything or not.

As for the differential, the oil that came out of it was a little darker but it didn't look or smell out of the ordinary to me. I replaced the differential oil with Lubrication Engineers LE-607.

My question revolves around the magnetic center of the drain bolt. I know this is supposed to pick up metal shavings from the internal mechanisms as they wear in. Mine had a nice layer of metal shavings about the consistnancy of paste on it when I pulled the bolt. I know it's normal to find some shavings on the bolt but mine was a little thicker than expected. I've never heard anything unusual from the drive train as a whole and I've never done anything like a clutch drop so I have no reason to expect a problem but I'd sure appreciate any opinions from those who have done this maintenance themselves on what you folks found when you drained your differentials.

Thanks for any reassurance!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

On my 2001 i barely i owned i changed the fluid and had shavings. I had never done this before so i dont know how much to expect. I will be doing the change on its replacement within a week or so and will let you know how i think they compare. I think it is normal for the first change to have a more significant amount shavings from my previous readings due to break in. But i am still learning so take what i say with a grain of salt.

 

Its normal to have some shavings in your first diff. fluid change. Thats why the plug is magnetic because they expect it. If you not at ease, change it again in a few hundred miles to see.

 

I changed mine at 800 miles and the plug had a quite a bit of metal 'sludge' around the plug.

More than I thought would be there for a new car.

Just the nature of the torsen diff.

Regards,
BD

 

I changed my MY02 and MY04 at about 6k miles. Both of then had the same amount of metal sludge on the magnet. I did notice with my 02 that the sludge was less after I put in the Mobil 1 gear oil. Perhaps you will see less filings with the LE oil on your next change. Bottom line, you have put some good synthetic oil in the rear, which is a good investment for the longterm.

 

Thanks folks! I appreciate the feed back. Like I said, I really don't think I've got a problem but the goop on that plug was a bit thicker than I expected. At least I now know that I'm not out of the ordinary in this case.

As for the GMSMFM in the transmission, I think the 1-2 crunch is a little better than before but to be honest, I'm not sure if that's just wishful thinking on my part based on the many comments made on S2ki about how much better it is. My transmission has never been that bad about it, especially since it's been through the break-in period. I've felt the usual bump-bump that's common when the synchros engage but for the most part, it's pretty much like it was before. So far, I've only put about 10 miles on the car so maybe my overall impression will change as I put more miles on it.

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

Here are some pics of my drain bolt. The subsequent fluid analysis indicated all was well, so I consider this type of sludge to be perfectly normal.

 

Xviper, that looks like something out of CSI. But as always, usefull pictures

As far as the MY04 tranny, I just took my car for a ride this week(had to do it) to stretch its legs after about two months of avoiding salty roads. I forgot how nice the car shifts, even when cold. As the tranny warmed up, it was like butter. Maybe thats becuase I have a 4 cylinder wrangler as a beater. You want to talk about grinding!!!

I think I will stay with the honda tranny oil for know, I will do a change this spring just for fun to see if the new fluid can make things even smoother.

 

Thanks. I should have mentioned that the very first pictures is from the diff of an '04 with only a few thousand miles on it. That first diff fluid change is very important. Since it's easy enough to do, a fluid change for the tranny and diff in the spring (assuming average mileage and no track duty) is a good idea. It's cheap insurance. The tranny fluid will look almost like new after a year but what the heck, "freshening" up the additives with new juice never hurts.

 

Thanks Xviper!

That top picture you posted is pretty much what mine looked like. Maybe a "little" more sludge than that and my car had 11.4k on it when I did the change out.

Looks like all's normal in the GPW!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.