DIY: Rear Differential Oil Change

CrunchyCajun · 11-06-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

Anyone know if we can get away with using a non-Nissan washer? Every dealership around me needs to order the part and I wanted to do my diff/trans this weekend.

While the part number for the Nissan metal gasket is 38351B, as seen in the exploded differential illustration, the SKU# is 11026-Z34006, which is what the parts department needs to find the part. The first dealer I went to couldn't figure it out, but the second one did.

Nissan metal gasket 38351B = SKU# 1026-Z34006

EVOnomore · 11-27-2011, 11:58 AM

Just did mine at 2900 miles.What came out just scared me.Black stinky oil,and about half an inch of metal shaving on the magnet.Hope that is part of brake in.
Will do another change in spring,or at least once a year.Filled with Redline Gear Oil 75-90.Tranny is next.Hope the warm weather holds up,so next weekend project.Great write up.

Footloose301 · 12-02-2011, 07:23 PM

I changed my diff oil today and ScGRacer stopped by in his white Nismo to do the same. I have 27k on my car and figured it was about time to do the change. Redline was not available locally so we each grabbed two quarts of Royale Purple 75W90 which claims to be great with LSD's and is both GL-4 and GL-5 compatible. I'm sure you don't have to change it so early but it's piece of mind.

I'm under my car, ScGRacer helping out.

You can see all the metal shavings and sludge stuck to the magnetic bolt.

ZForce · 12-13-2011, 11:16 PM

Just did both of the Z's today and surprised at the color of the oil drained and the xxxxxxx on the magnetic drain plug.

First some history on both car(s).

Both are 2009 MT w/34k miles on the OEM factory installed gear oil (as in never been drained)
Reside in Northern California
Cars are garaged all of the time
Daily Driven and spirited canyon driving

After viewing the magnetic drain plug and the color of the oil being drained and after reading and seeing and hearing a lot of members drain results has me wondering IF the difference in my drains and the rest has anything to do with geographical location/weather and whether or not the car is garaged.

Any-who here are the pics. Both Z's had the same results. No sludge and hardly any metal shavings. The oil being drained still has the honey colored. All I can say is I am glad it looks like this at 34k miles on it's first drain.

.

Chico370Z · 12-19-2011, 11:36 AM

^ interesting.....

eastwest2300 · 02-19-2012, 06:19 PM

im looking forward to changing mine. This looks like fun! I'll be changing mine around 3500 miles.

tranceformer · 02-19-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

im looking forward to changing mine. This looks like fun! I'll be changing mine around 3500 miles.

beware of foul odors when you drain the fluid.

DEpointfive0 · 02-21-2012, 01:41 PM

Hey guys, I have never had to change the diff fluid on a car, and this doesn't look any harder than an oil change....

My main questions:
I have a 2009 Sport Touring Auto... Do I need to use any sort of special fluid?
Also, I am a fan of synthetics, what's a good synthetic diff fluid?
And lastly, how much fluid do I need to buy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Yep, the fluid smells gnarley. I didn't notice any performance or sound difference. It's more peace of mind knowing you got the nasty factory fill out. I'll be doing the transmission oil this week which I expect will give a noticeable difference.

ZForce · 02-21-2012, 04:01 PM

^ I use Redline

eastwest2300 · 02-22-2012, 07:36 PM

I changed my differential fluid today.. the process was fairly easy, I only had issues getting the actual fluid in the differential itself, having an aftermarket exhaust and the loaction of the filler hole made it a pain in the azz. But all in all, Im happy. I used Mobil 1 75w-90 Synthetic.

Alchemy · 02-25-2012, 03:40 AM

Gotta do mine in the spring. Subscribed for future reference.

ggiwin · 03-22-2012, 08:36 PM

I just went to a shop to get it done. They said I needed 3 quarts not 2. I was confused by this and referred to this thread. They said it requires 3 and that they won't do it using 2 quarts as it is not safe?

spearfish25 · 03-22-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggiwin

I just went to a shop to get it done. They said I needed 3 quarts not 2. I was confused by this and referred to this thread. They said it requires 3 and that they won't do it using 2 quarts as it is not safe?

Not as safe? LOL.

They are screwing up their units. For the record, it takes 1.5 quarts which is 3 pints. If you buy 2 quarts, you have more than enough oil to completely top it off and have some left over.

Phaddi_inc · 04-12-2012, 07:40 PM

another good write up, thanks!
(rep'd)

phaddi_inc

Vbp6US · 04-22-2012, 04:59 AM

Can I use the regular LSD Red Line oil listed in the OP's DIY in a Base model open differential? I just ordered two...should have asked this question before I suppose.

12-02-2011, 07:23 PM	#63 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	I changed my diff oil today and ScGRacer stopped by in his white Nismo to do the same. I have 27k on my car and figured it was about time to do the change. Redline was not available locally so we each grabbed two quarts of Royale Purple 75W90 which claims to be great with LSD's and is both GL-4 and GL-5 compatible. I'm sure you don't have to change it so early but it's piece of mind. I'm under my car, ScGRacer helping out. You can see all the metal shavings and sludge stuck to the magnetic bolt. NISMO IX likes this. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

12-19-2011, 11:36 AM	#65 (permalink)
Chico370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 233 Drives: 09 370Z Touring Rep Power: 16	^ interesting..... __________________ 04 Nissan Sentra SpecV: Brembos, Nismo Intake/Exhaust/Short Shifter, Eibach Sportlines, ES MMI - SOLD / / / 09 Nissan 370Z Touring: Invidia Gemini Exhaust, ERZ HFC, GTM 25 Row Cooler, Z1 Tubes, and K&N Drop Ins

02-19-2012, 06:19 PM	#66 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,990 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	im looking forward to changing mine. This looks like fun! I'll be changing mine around 3500 miles. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

02-22-2012, 07:36 PM	#70 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,990 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	I changed my differential fluid today.. the process was fairly easy, I only had issues getting the actual fluid in the differential itself, having an aftermarket exhaust and the loaction of the filler hole made it a pain in the azz. But all in all, Im happy. I used Mobil 1 75w-90 Synthetic. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

02-25-2012, 03:40 AM	#71 (permalink)
Alchemy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey Age: 45 Posts: 4,855 Drives: to acquire tickets Rep Power: 3524	Gotta do mine in the spring. Subscribed for future reference. __________________ Ryan 314WHP \| 260LB-FT \| STILLEN \| KONI \| SWIFT \| STOPTECH \| Z1 \| PROJECT MU \| CNT \| UPREV \| FORGESTAR \| BRIDGESTONE \| PWJDM \| ENEOS \| MOTUL

11-27-2011, 11:58 AM	#62 (permalink)
EVOnomore Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: CT USA Posts: 288 Drives: 2011,370Z,Sport,M6 Rep Power: 14	Just did mine at 2900 miles.What came out just scared me.Black stinky oil,and about half an inch of metal shaving on the magnet.Hope that is part of brake in. Will do another change in spring,or at least once a year.Filled with Redline Gear Oil 75-90.Tranny is next.Hope the warm weather holds up,so next weekend project.Great write up.

12-13-2011, 11:16 PM	#64 (permalink)
ZForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,359 Drives: 09 370Z Tour + Sport Rep Power: 21	Just did both of the Z's today and surprised at the color of the oil drained and the xxxxxxx on the magnetic drain plug. First some history on both car(s). Both are 2009 MT w/34k miles on the OEM factory installed gear oil (as in never been drained) Reside in Northern California Cars are garaged all of the time Daily Driven and spirited canyon driving After viewing the magnetic drain plug and the color of the oil being drained and after reading and seeing and hearing a lot of members drain results has me wondering IF the difference in my drains and the rest has anything to do with geographical location/weather and whether or not the car is garaged. Any-who here are the pics. Both Z's had the same results. No sludge and hardly any metal shavings. The oil being drained still has the honey colored. All I can say is I am glad it looks like this at 34k miles on it's first drain. .

02-21-2012, 04:01 PM	#69 (permalink)
ZForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,359 Drives: 09 370Z Tour + Sport Rep Power: 21	^ I use Redline

03-22-2012, 08:36 PM	#72 (permalink)
ggiwin Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: orange county Posts: 226 Drives: 2010 AT PW Rep Power: 15	I just went to a shop to get it done. They said I needed 3 quarts not 2. I was confused by this and referred to this thread. They said it requires 3 and that they won't do it using 2 quarts as it is not safe?

04-12-2012, 07:40 PM	#74 (permalink)
Phaddi_inc Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 111 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z 6spd Rep Power: 14	another good write up, thanks! (rep'd) phaddi_inc

04-22-2012, 04:59 AM	#75 (permalink)
Vbp6US Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 442 Drives: 2009 370z MB 6MT Rep Power: 14	Can I use the regular LSD Red Line oil listed in the OP's DIY in a Base model open differential? I just ordered two...should have asked this question before I suppose.

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