Differential Fluid Replacement AWD Enclave

21105 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by jhannings201981, 3 d ago

Riggo

Discussion Starter · Jan 1, 2018

I own a 2015 AWD Enclave. Surprisingly, the owner's manual say absolutely nothing about when to change the differential fluid. Seems strange since they are warrantying the part. At what interval should this be done? Is there only a rear differential fluid to change on this vehicle?

Thank you for your insights.

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JayS

· #2 · Jan 3, 2018

http://www.enclaveforum.net/20-engi...ase-rear-differential-fluid-drain-refill.html

For normal driving service interval is 100k. For "Severe Duty" it's 50k. I would never push a differential or transfer case fluid to 100k regardless of how I drove.

I tow occasionally so we go by the 50k. I have the fluids sitting in my garage but didn't get around to it before winter hit. Going to change them out in the spring when it warms up. Our E just hit 51k miles.

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Uncle Buick

· #3 · Jan 24, 2018 (Edited)

I did this service myself back in the fall of 2017. This is the sort of stuff that I just feel WAY more comfortable doing myself and knowing exactly what is being done, and what is going in, VS. taking it somewhere and not knowing if they are rushing, and don't put enough fluid back in, don't use the right fluid ect.

FYI - there is a Rear Differential, AND a Transfer Case on AWD models - both of which should take approx 1L of fluid. My Rear diff took about 800mL, my front transfer case took the whole 1L bottle.

Total cost: approx $25 for a hand pump which siphons from 1 hose, and deposits to another, and another $50 for two 1L of Amsoil Severe Gear oil.

Dealerships were quoting between $200-$300, some saying I had 2 differentials, and 1 transfer case... BS!. If the advisers (one of which went and asked a tech!!) don't even know what the vehicle has, then how do I know they won't over charge me, and how do I know if they even put the fluid in the right spot!! I'D RATHER DO IT MYSELF.

The only other tools you need is a 10mm Hex nut (by 1/2" for more leverage) and a socket - the thinner the actual head the better!

I've never done this before, and it took me just over an hour, including doing an oil change.

Because the socket with the 10mm hex sometimes is too thick to fit into the hole (exhaust manifold pipe is in the way) a trick I used was to slide the 10mm hex THROUGH a 10mm gear wrench first before putting it into the nut, and then use the wrench as my leverage (eliminated the need for the socket). But you'll need a long enough 10mm wrench, otherwise you won't have the torque to release the nut.

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cfedor

· #4 · May 6, 2018

Well, I tackled the rear differential oil change today. But, I gave up on the front transfer case. I found the drain plug, but couldn't find the fill port.

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71buickmonk

· #5 · Jun 4, 2018

I had my drivetrain done last summer by My local Napa shop. I did the transmission myself. I used ToTal 75w-90 and Totals LMV for Automatics . Works great in everything, synthetic, affordable product made in Canada. It was totally time for a driveline service on my SUV. Glad I got it done. I was not surprised too see how bad the fluid was after purchase, although used. Have to make sure all your bases are covered for long service life.

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Uncle Buick

· #6 · Jul 4, 2018

cfedor said:
Well, I tackled the rear differential oil change today. But, I gave up on the front transfer case. I found the drain plug, but couldn't find the fill port.

I replaced my front transfer case while I had the vehicle up on my rubber ramps (approx 6" lift) and doing an oil change.

I know I saw pics on here somewhere of both fill and drain ports. I'm due for an oil change, and hoping to get that done this weekend. So if I get it up on the ramps, I'll try and take some shots of both ports. Essentially, all I looked for was the 2 ports that fit the hex socket, one was higher than the other.

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cfedor

· #7 · Jul 6, 2018

Uncle Buick said:
I replaced my front transfer case while I had the vehicle up on my rubber ramps (approx 6" lift) and doing an oil change.

I know I saw pics on here somewhere of both fill and drain ports. I'm due for an oil change, and hoping to get that done this weekend. So if I get it up on the ramps, I'll try and take some shots of both ports. Essentially, all I looked for was the 2 ports that fit the hex socket, one was higher than the other.

Thanks! Much appreciated.

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Uncle Buick

· #8 · Jul 8, 2018

Here is a shot of the transfer case drain and fill plugs

Let me know if the pics work:

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jhannings201981

· #9 · 3 d ago

cfedor said:
Well, I tackled the rear differential oil change today. But, I gave up on the front transfer case. I found the drain plug, but couldn't find the fill port.

Right above the fill plug.. right above the u shaped part of the exhaust

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