Leaking axle shaft seal on rear end, need help finding parts

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BigBadJohn

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I looked in the garage and found the rear differential cover and gasket I had bought. Also with them was 2 gallons of 80w90 and the 3 quarts I had bought from the dealer were GM manual transmission/transfer case oil
 

BigBadJohn

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The GM dealer sold me the Manual Trans/Transfer case order number 88861800 rather than Autotrac II. I wonder why. Most things I’m reading are pointing towards the Autotrac
 

Schurkey

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The GM dealer sold me the Manual Trans/Transfer case order number 88861800 rather than Autotrac II. I wonder why. Most things I’m reading are pointing towards the Autotrac
The transfer case is almost certainly going to need Dexron III or Autotrac II, depending on the year. My '97 K2500 transfer case takes Dex III (Dex-Merc in today's language.) I have a 2003 Trailblazer that needs Autotrak II.

Amazon says that your manual trans/transfer case fluid is for 2007-newer vehicles. Maybe you want to call your dealer and ask about the suitability in your vehicle.
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Flui...r_1_1?keywords=88861800&qid=1570593335&sr=8-1

Wild Guess with no evidence: Dex/Merc, Autotrak II, and your manual trans/transfer case fluid is all the same thing with different color dye in each one. Every time GM changes the name on the label, they double the price and we're supposed to be too stupid to figure it out.
 

BigBadJohn

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What kind of lube and how much do I use in the front differential? What kind and how much in the rear? Rear is a 10 bolt G80 posi 8.5” ring gear with 3.73 ratio.
I’m planning on doing a trans fluid/filter change. That would require Dexron III correct? 5 quarts for a fluid change in a 4L60E?
How much fluid in the transfer case? It’s an NP243C with 2.72
Thanks in advance. It’s hard finding a sytraoght answer because you see so many people putting in their $0.02 and a lot of heresay on what they use or what is required etc
 

Schurkey

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I use ordinary (synthetic) axle lube in the front diff. Takes a bit more than 2 qts. Just did this last week--pull drain plug, let it empty. Install drain plug, pull fill plug. I've been pumping the lube in from a gallon jug, and it takes less than half. When it trickles out the fill plug...you're done. Tighten plug. Wipe off any spillage.

Same for transfer case. Pull drain plug--mine needed a 10mm hex bit; and the fill plug was ruined by previous owner who--apparently--tried to use a worn-out 3/8 hex bit and rounded the tool recess in the plug. I had to weld a bolt to the plug and turn it out with the head of the bolt. Threads are M22 x 1.5 TAPERED PIPE. Apparently different transfer cases are threaded differently.

Anyway, my service manual called for Dex III, for a '97 K2500 in the transfer case. Again, about 2 1/2 quarts.

The rear axle takes "special" lube--gear grease that DOES NOT have positraction additive. Getting hard to find. Posi additive will make the G80 clutches not engage--too slippery. I don't know the capacity of the 8.5. I just put "about" 2 1/2--2 3/4 quarts in a 9.5 yesterday. I'm considering that I may have over-filled it, though.
 

BigBadJohn

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Wtf. I just called a local Chevrolet dealer and they told me that my front and rear differentials take roughly 2 quarts each 75w-90 but what's strange is he told me the rear needed slip additive. I asked him the order number for the GM additive and he gave me the number for this. I've seen several people online saying NOT to put additive in it and here a GM shop is telling me to put it in.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-4...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3ER268P8Q189FE7R2BZ0


Also, the parts guy told me the transfer case takes 2.2 quarts of manual transmission fluid. This is a separate GM shop than the one that sold me the Manual trans fluid last year. I asked the guy about Autotrac II and he said that it's not the correct fluid for my TC
 

evilunclegrimace

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Wtf. I just called a local Chevrolet dealer and they told me that my front and rear differentials take roughly 2 quarts each 75w-90 but what's strange is he told me the rear needed slip additive. I asked him the order number for the GM additive and he gave me the number for this. I've seen several people online saying NOT to put additive in it and here a GM shop is telling me to put it in.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-4...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3ER268P8Q189FE7R2BZ0


Also, the parts guy told me the transfer case takes 2.2 quarts of manual transmission fluid. This is a separate GM shop than the one that sold me the Manual trans fluid last year. I asked the guy about Autotrac II and he said that it's not the correct fluid for my TC

Like Schurkey said DO NOT put additive in your rear diff!!
 

df2x4

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Yeah, that guy you talked to on the phone didn't have a clue. No limited slip additive should be used in the diffs, and technically the factory spec for that oil is GL5 80W-90, not 75W-90.
 

df2x4

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As far as transfer case fluid goes, if it's an NP241 (floor shifter) or NP243 (push-button shifter with 2HI, 4HI and 4LO) then you need Dexron 3 or 6 ATF. If it's an NP246 (push-button shifter with 2HI, 4HI, 4LO and AUTO) then you need the GM Autotrac II fluid. Here's some links to the correct GM fluids, I use this stuff in both of my '97s with the exception of the Autotrac fluid as my 'burb has an NP243.

ACDelco 10-4051 GL5 80W-90 gear oil with no additives:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Q10F3S

ACDelco 10-9395 Dexron 6 ATF:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EKMGG92

ACDelco 10-4017 Autotrac II transfer case fluid:
https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-4017-Auto-Trak-Transfer-Fluid/dp/B002H8U3KK
 

BigBadJohn

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Okay so from what I gather on the manual transmission and transfer case fluid, it’s actually Dexron III-H but they’re not calling it Dexron III because they’ve “phased out” DexIII. Do manual transmissions and transfer cases work better on III than VI to where they’d bother rebranding this?
 
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