This weekend I was at Steve Kan's place and (with the help of Hernan the Hispanic Lover Lover ) was able to get alot accomplished--we changed the oil, changed the diff fluid, flushed the coolant, and replaced the fuel filter.

I think the diff is an important overlooked maintenance point--mine was still the original fluid. We used 1.4 quarts of Mobil1 synthetic 70w90 gear oil and one of those ten dollar fluid pump guns. The fill is 23mm and required a box wrench b/c of insufficient room for a socket/ratchet. My drain plug was an odd size--seemed to be in between 23 and 24 mm so we used a u.s. spec socket. We had the back of the 7 jacked up from doing the fuel filter, so we just loosened the drain and fill plugs and let her down so it would drain more easily. Believe it or not we were able to drain and fill the fluid without jacking my R1 up--with my coilovers mine is about the lowest FD I've seen.

Hernan basically did the fuel filter while I watched him get covered in gasoline--now there's a great friend . Seriously, he has a few special clamps and pliers which make the job much easier. If anyone wants to know more PM me, or just have Hernan do yours as well. He only charges your first born son for the job

At any rate, just thought I'd share---there's no greater feeling than working on your 7 and saving tons of cash in labor costs. And remember, no one cares about your car like you do .

 

How many miles on your car?

My diff fluid is original, and my car is coming up on 59,000

 

Mine had 90k (!) on it. I'm so ashamed.

Actually, the car definitely seems to accelerate with more authority, and I'm getting much more wheelspin through 2nd gear than I was before the diff fluid change. I spoke with a good friend who changes his annually and he wasn't surprised. Makes sense--the gears in that diff are ultimately transmitting the power to the wheels. My fluid was nasty and appeared to have been boiled from the intense heat the diff experiences.

 

My diff fluid was new but I switched to NEO synthetic recently and noticed a nice response from the LSD, especially on slicks. The action is smooooother.

It took three guys to change the oil, fuel filter, diff fluid and flush the coolant? Amateurs I feel a joke coming...

How many men does it take to change...

No, no. How about....

A white guy, an asian guy and a mexican walk into a garage...

Nope. Gimme a few minutes, I will come up with a good one

 

Well, Mr. Smart Guy--steve was inside sleeping, and Hernan and I were doing the same maintenance to his R1. You know, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours....just b/c you have no friends to help you out is no reason to get bitter

 

Is there a time / mileage rule of thumb on changing diff. fluid? I had mine done 9/2000 at 58K, and now my car is at 78K. Should I have it changed again?

Thanks

 

No No No!!!! It would be a white guy, an Asian guy and a Venezuelan guy..... Get it right.

-H