How-To Spotlight: Bleed and Refill Rear Differential

Differential fluid is often overlooked, but it’s almost as important as engine oil and transmission fluid.

Checking your differential fluid isn’t the easiest thing to do. And since this fluid swap happens underneath the car, most people completely forget about it. Today’s How-To Spotlight goes through the step by step process involved in changing out the fluid. Provided you have the correct tools at your disposal, the whole process is considered pretty easy. Depending on your abilities and experience you should be able to change this fluid in 2 to 3 hours at a cost between $50 and a few hundred dollars.

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The biggest challenge of this project is the differential’s location. You’re going to need access the rear of the car from underneath. It’s not unlike changing the oil, but there are a few noticeable differences.

These include a few additional tasks General Motors suggests you do following this fluid swap. Of course, their recommendations are good for you as well as the health of your differential.

So are you one of the few that have taken on or frequently change your own differential fluid? What part of the process did you find the most challenging? Any recommendations for the rest of us? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the forum.