C6 - Transmission & Differential Fluid Change

[MidNiteFury01]

This "Tech" article pertains to changing the transmission & differential fluid in a 2012 Grand Sport with the TR6060 Transmission.

 

Please complete all work at your own risk. If at any point you are uncomfortable, please do not proceed. 

 

Tools:

-Nitrile Gloves

-Mechanic Gloves

-Torque Wrench

-3/8" Rachet or Breaker Bar

-3/8" Extension

-10mm Allen Socket

-90degree pick or small flat blade screwdriver

-Fluid Transfer Pump

-Paper Towels, Isopropyl Alcohol (cleaning up messes), and Safety Glasses

-Jack & Jackstands

-GM Part 24205103 (Transmission Coupling Retainer)

~4qts of transmission fluid (Various Vendors)

~3qts of 75W-90 Gear Oil (Various Vendors)

-Oil Pan

 

1) Drive vehicle to warm fluids. Usually a good 10 - 15 miles will do. 

2) Safely raise vehicle so that it is level. You can verify level by placing a level gauge on the frame rails as shown. 

 

Transmission

 

2) Locate the drain & fill plugs on the transmission. On the TR6060 the fill plug is located mid-way along the transmission, about half-way up on the driver side. The drain is located toward the bottom rear of the transmission. Count the # of threads before removing. 

 

 

3) Using the 3/8" rachet & extension, loosen & remove the fill plug first. A little fluid will dribble out, which is normal. Once removed, remove the drain plug. It may help to put cardboard down beneath the pan to prevent fluid from getting on the concrete. The fluid may be warm or even hot and may splash (hence the safety glasses & gloves).

 

 

4) Give the fluid ample time to drain out until only drops happen. Replace the drain plug, and tighten so the correct # of threads are showing or torque to 20lb-ft. There is a red sealant on the plug, this is usually good for a "number" of fluid changes, but GM does sell this sealant. Don't wipe it off. 

 

5) Next assemble the fluid transfer pump. Depending upon the bottle height (as well as pump type) use one straw in the bottle & one straw on the end of the flexible plastic tube. This gives you a bit more reach and something to grip, as well as better position in the fill hole. 

 

6) Carefully place the tube into the fill hole. Make absolutely sure the plastic straw, should you use it, is fully inserted into the flexible rubber hose. One wouldn't want to lose it in the transmission! Mine took about 3.5qts to fill. Fill it until fluid dribbles out the fill hole. Then replace the plug and tighten showing the correct # of threads or torque to 20lb-ft.  Wipe down any fluid spills. The Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is as good as brake cleaner w/o the really harsh smells & vapors.

 

Thats it for the Transmission.

 

7) Pump any remaining fluids in the pump back into the bottle. Insert the pick-up tube into the rubbing alcohol container and pump until about the fluid is pretty clear, in this pump it was about 3 or 4 pumps once it starting picking up the fluid. The alcohol cleans the pump pretty well or just buy two. 

 

Differential

 

The differential in the GS and ZO6 are equipped with a cooler, therefore it is not equipped with a conventional drain plug. The differential has a pick-up tube which is retained in the housing via special coupler & retaining clip. This clip can be reused, but is not advised. They are a few dollars online.

 

1A) Locate the fill and drain on the differential. The drain is located passenger side and is noted by the small tube. The fill is a large plug with a 10mm allen and is above. As with the transmission, remove the fill plug first. This is just in case you can't remove it, you are not left with an empty differential.

 

1B) The drain tube retaining clip is visible just ahead of the brass colored block. Using the 90degree pick or small flat blade screw driver, carefully pry the clip toward the driver side. It will back out and if you're lucky it won't spring off and fly somewhere. 

    

 

1C) The clip notches rests in 3 little notches in the retaining coupler. The new part #:

     

 

2) Carefully pull the drain tube out by wiggling and pulling with light force. It will sort-of "pop" out. Fluid will drain quickly and is really stinky. Allow ample time to drain to a slow drip. 

 

3) Once its drained reinsert the drain tube. You will feel or hear a "snap". Carefully install a new retaining clip making sure the notches fall into the notches on the coupling. Try pulling back & forth on the tube to ensure it is properly locked in place. 

 

4) Take the transfer pump and give it a good wipe down. Try to remove as much alcohol as possible. Insert into the gear-oil container and pump a few times into the oil pan or another bottle until only new gear-oil is pumped out, it may take about 5-6 times. Now fill the differential until the fluid dribbles out. Close & tighten (but not torque) the fill plug. 

 

5) Inspect the half-shafts, shocks, and other components. Make sure nothing is rubbing. While suspended, start the vehicle. Keeping the clutch in, turn-off traction control. Next place the gear selector into 2ndm slowly release the clutch, and get the vehicle up to about 10-15MPH. Keep this speed for about a minute. 

 

6) Remove the fill plug, and add a bit more gear-oil. Mine took about 2.5qfts and a few more pumps. Technically, the fluid can be any were from dribbling out to no less than 1/4" (6mm) below the bottom of the fill plug hole.  Tighten the fill plug to 26lbs-ft.  Clean-up any drops & spills. 

 

7) Safely lower the vehicle. Next, find a large open area and perform 8 - 10 figure-8's to get the fluid worked into the clutches. 

 

That completes the differential fluid change. 

 

[az57chevy]

Well done, always good to be sure the fill plugs can be loosened first!