2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity

I drained the lube into a container already filled with some old oil.
So I can't measure the amount that was drained. Plus I had the pinion
seal replaced because of a leak, so I am not sure if the correct amount
was in the differential to start with.
wantu2much wrote:
> what you can do is mesure the gear oil out into indvidual mesuring
> cups, and use a funnel and hose, you can pour it into the diff, keep
> track of how meny you use, and that is how much you need.
>
>
> lefty08 wrote:
> > I have a 2004 GMC Sierra SLE 4wd With locking rear diff. I am
> > replacing the gear oil in the rear differential. Does anyone know the
> > correct amount of gear oil to add. The chiltons manual says to add to
> > within 5/8" to 1 5/8" from the bottom of the fill plug. That is fine,
> >
> > but how can you measure that with any accuracy? There must be a known
> > amount that will put you in that range. Thanks!
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

Thanks for the OBVIOUS answer. If it were so simple then why not just
give the capacity for each diff? Of course you can fabricate a
dipstick out of a coat hanger and check it, but you mean to tell me
thats how it is done on the assembly line. I don't think so. A
certain amount is added so why not publish it. You must have small
fingers, because my pinky won't fit up to the first joint. The seal
was replaced at the dealer so I guess they "fabricated" a tool to hold
the yoke or do you think there is a certain tool to do that job.
Whitelightning wrote:
> "lefty08" wrote in message
>
> >> >
> > > lefty08 wrote:
> > > > I have a 2004 GMC Sierra SLE 4wd With locking rear diff. I am
> > > > replacing the gear oil in the rear differential. Does anyone know the
> > > > correct amount of gear oil to add. The chiltons manual says to add to
> > > > within 5/8" to 1 5/8" from the bottom of the fill plug. That is
> fine,
> > > >
> > > > but how can you measure that with any accuracy? There must be a known
> > > > amount that will put you in that range. Thanks!
> >
> Why do people try to make something easy, into something hard? Fill the
> darn things till the oil runs out the fill hole. Then check it again next
> day because it takes a while for that thick stuff to migrate down the axle
> tubes. When I check it I use a very sophisticated measuring device, my
> pinky. I stick it in the fill hole, bend the first joint, it needs to touch
> the tip of my finger, if it does its good.. Otherwise cut a 10" length coat
> hanger, put a bend in one end 5/8 to 1 5/8" from the end and insert it in
> the fill hole..No one gives a capacity because it depends on which diff is
> under the truck how much fluid it holds. How did you tighten up the nut
> holding the yoke to the pinion shaft when you replaced the seal?
>
> Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

"lefty08" wrote in message

>> >
> > lefty08 wrote:
> > > I have a 2004 GMC Sierra SLE 4wd With locking rear diff. I am
> > > replacing the gear oil in the rear differential. Does anyone know the
> > > correct amount of gear oil to add. The chiltons manual says to add to
> > > within 5/8" to 1 5/8" from the bottom of the fill plug. That is
fine,
> > >
> > > but how can you measure that with any accuracy? There must be a known
> > > amount that will put you in that range. Thanks!
>
Why do people try to make something easy, into something hard? Fill the
darn things till the oil runs out the fill hole. Then check it again next
day because it takes a while for that thick stuff to migrate down the axle
tubes. When I check it I use a very sophisticated measuring device, my
pinky. I stick it in the fill hole, bend the first joint, it needs to touch
the tip of my finger, if it does its good.. Otherwise cut a 10" length coat
hanger, put a bend in one end 5/8 to 1 5/8" from the end and insert it in
the fill hole..No one gives a capacity because it depends on which diff is
under the truck how much fluid it holds. How did you tighten up the nut
holding the yoke to the pinion shaft when you replaced the seal?

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

Seriously, fill it until it comes out the fill plug. That's SOP for any
differential (now someone will bring up an exotic differential and prove me
wrong). I would fill it all the way, not 5/8 to 1 5/8 inch from the bottom.

"lefty08" wrote in message

> Thanks for the OBVIOUS answer. If it were so simple then why not just
> give the capacity for each diff? Of course you can fabricate a
> dipstick out of a coat hanger and check it, but you mean to tell me
> thats how it is done on the assembly line. I don't think so. A
> certain amount is added so why not publish it. You must have small
> fingers, because my pinky won't fit up to the first joint. The seal
> was replaced at the dealer so I guess they "fabricated" a tool to hold
> the yoke or do you think there is a certain tool to do that job.
> Whitelightning wrote:
>> "lefty08" wrote in message
>>
>> >> >
>> > > lefty08 wrote:
>> > > > I have a 2004 GMC Sierra SLE 4wd With locking rear diff. I am
>> > > > replacing the gear oil in the rear differential. Does anyone know
>> > > > the
>> > > > correct amount of gear oil to add. The chiltons manual says to add
>> > > > to
>> > > > within 5/8" to 1 5/8" from the bottom of the fill plug. That is
>> fine,
>> > > >
>> > > > but how can you measure that with any accuracy? There must be a
>> > > > known
>> > > > amount that will put you in that range. Thanks!
>> >
>> Why do people try to make something easy, into something hard? Fill the
>> darn things till the oil runs out the fill hole. Then check it again
>> next
>> day because it takes a while for that thick stuff to migrate down the
>> axle
>> tubes. When I check it I use a very sophisticated measuring device, my
>> pinky. I stick it in the fill hole, bend the first joint, it needs to
>> touch
>> the tip of my finger, if it does its good.. Otherwise cut a 10" length
>> coat
>> hanger, put a bend in one end 5/8 to 1 5/8" from the end and insert it in
>> the fill hole..No one gives a capacity because it depends on which diff
>> is
>> under the truck how much fluid it holds. How did you tighten up the
>> nut
>> holding the yoke to the pinion shaft when you replaced the seal?
>>
>> Whitelightning
>
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

"lefty08" wrote in message

> Thanks for the OBVIOUS answer. If it were so simple then why not just
> give the capacity for each diff? Of course you can fabricate a
> dipstick out of a coat hanger and check it, but you mean to tell me
> thats how it is done on the assembly line. I don't think so. A
> certain amount is added so why not publish it. You must have small
> fingers, because my pinky won't fit up to the first joint. The seal
> was replaced at the dealer so I guess they "fabricated" a tool to hold
> the yoke or do you think there is a certain tool to do that job.

if its so OBVIOUS why pull a Monk?
The diffs are pre-filled before they ever get to the assembly line, so
are manual transmissions be it a Saginaw gear or a dyna or what have you.
Buy a target engine from the dealer and it will be pre-filled, pe-oiled and
have a new filter.
so are the engines that get lowered into the vehicle.
And I was asking to make sure the nut was properly tightened with a torque
wrench, so that the bearing preloads would be correct, the crush sleeve not
messed up causing the ring and pinion to be out of proper alignment, which
results in a howl after about 5,000 miles or so that can only be corrected
by new a ring
and pinion gear, new pinion bearings and crush sleeve. Oh and there
actually is
proper tool to use to hold the yoke.

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

I know there is a tool to hold the yolk. I was just being sarcastic.
Seriously, thanks for the info. I just filled the diff til it ran out
then suctioned out a little with a pump. I will check the level again
and see if it is ok. (BTW) now that you mention it my rear end is
howling. Thats one of the reasons I changed the gear oil. The Dealer
replaced the leaking pinion seal last January under warranty. That
was about 10,000 miles ago. My truck is now just out of warranty
(37,000 miles) . Is there a way to prove they torqued the bolt to
tight and caused the howling or am I S.O.L.
Whitelightning wrote:
> "lefty08" wrote in message
>
> > Thanks for the OBVIOUS answer. If it were so simple then why not just
> > give the capacity for each diff? Of course you can fabricate a
> > dipstick out of a coat hanger and check it, but you mean to tell me
> > thats how it is done on the assembly line. I don't think so. A
> > certain amount is added so why not publish it. You must have small
> > fingers, because my pinky won't fit up to the first joint. The seal
> > was replaced at the dealer so I guess they "fabricated" a tool to hold
> > the yoke or do you think there is a certain tool to do that job.
>
> if its so OBVIOUS why pull a Monk?
> The diffs are pre-filled before they ever get to the assembly line, so
> are manual transmissions be it a Saginaw gear or a dyna or what have you.
> Buy a target engine from the dealer and it will be pre-filled, pe-oiled and
> have a new filter.
> so are the engines that get lowered into the vehicle.
> And I was asking to make sure the nut was properly tightened with a torque
> wrench, so that the bearing preloads would be correct, the crush sleeve not
> messed up causing the ring and pinion to be out of proper alignment, which
> results in a howl after about 5,000 miles or so that can only be corrected
> by new a ring
> and pinion gear, new pinion bearings and crush sleeve. Oh and there
> actually is
> proper tool to use to hold the yoke.
>
> Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

"lefty08" wrote in message

> I know there is a tool to hold the yolk. I was just being sarcastic.
> Seriously, thanks for the info. I just filled the diff til it ran out
> then suctioned out a little with a pump. I will check the level again
> and see if it is ok. (BTW) now that you mention it my rear end is
> howling. Thats one of the reasons I changed the gear oil. The Dealer
> replaced the leaking pinion seal last January under warranty. That
> was about 10,000 miles ago. My truck is now just out of warranty
> (37,000 miles) . Is there a way to prove they torqued the bolt to
> tight and caused the howling or am I S.O.L.

It would be hard to prove. I mean if you actually saw they just used an
impact gun to tighten it
would be one thing. Finding someone that would be willing to stand up in a
court of law so to speak and say "this damage was caused by the pinion depth
being wrong, resulting in improper mesh of the ring and pinion. On this
model that is most often caused by the improper torque of the nut that holds
the yoke on the pinion shaft resulting in the crush sleeve being over
compressed" yet another. and a lot depends on the dealer. I have seen
shops say we messed up, and fix it. I've done. yeah the customer is mad at
the moment, but in the long run it was good for the relationship. Most
customers know mistakes happen, its how they are handled makes a difference.
I will say this, the first thing you should do is give them first crack at
it, do not change the oil in the diff. Human nature and too many
experiences, you bring me an engine knocking and I see fresh clean oil in
the crankcase, you ran it low, or didn't change it is what comes to my mind.
And sometimes the howling is the result of a bearing that just failed.
Noise caused by a pinion gear depth problem or pinion bearing problem will
be somewhat speed sensitive, and load sensitive. By load I mean for a split
second or so when you let off the gas it will decrease, until engine braking
comes into play and loads the gears again.

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity 

The noise from my differential is definately speed sensitive. It is
acting just as you stated "Noise caused by a pinion gear depth problem
or pinion bearing problem will
> be somewhat speed sensitive, and load sensitive. By load I mean for a split
> second or so when you let off the gas it will decrease, until engine braking
> comes into play and loads the gears again." It is not real bad, just something I noticed recently. I also tow/launch a boat so the rear axle has been under water. Any chance that caused the pinion bearing to go bad? I already changed the oil in the diff. It was black and had a burnt smell to it. I also removed the cover and cleaned. There was some metal filings and sludge on the magnet. I guess some metal debris is from normal wear. Thanks again for the insight.
Whitelightning wrote:
> "lefty08" wrote in message
>
> > I know there is a tool to hold the yolk. I was just being sarcastic.
> > Seriously, thanks for the info. I just filled the diff til it ran out
> > then suctioned out a little with a pump. I will check the level again
> > and see if it is ok. (BTW) now that you mention it my rear end is
> > howling. Thats one of the reasons I changed the gear oil. The Dealer
> > replaced the leaking pinion seal last January under warranty. That
> > was about 10,000 miles ago. My truck is now just out of warranty
> > (37,000 miles) . Is there a way to prove they torqued the bolt to
> > tight and caused the howling or am I S.O.L.
>
> It would be hard to prove. I mean if you actually saw they just used an
> impact gun to tighten it
> would be one thing. Finding someone that would be willing to stand up in a
> court of law so to speak and say "this damage was caused by the pinion depth
> being wrong, resulting in improper mesh of the ring and pinion. On this
> model that is most often caused by the improper torque of the nut that holds
> the yoke on the pinion shaft resulting in the crush sleeve being over
> compressed" yet another. and a lot depends on the dealer. I have seen
> shops say we messed up, and fix it. I've done. yeah the customer is mad at
> the moment, but in the long run it was good for the relationship. Most
> customers know mistakes happen, its how they are handled makes a difference.
> I will say this, the first thing you should do is give them first crack at
> it, do not change the oil in the diff. Human nature and too many
> experiences, you bring me an engine knocking and I see fresh clean oil in
> the crankcase, you ran it low, or didn't change it is what comes to my mind.
> And sometimes the howling is the result of a bearing that just failed.
> Noise caused by a pinion gear depth problem or pinion bearing problem will
> be somewhat speed sensitive, and load sensitive. By load I mean for a split
> second or so when you let off the gas it will decrease, until engine braking
> comes into play and loads the gears again.
>
> Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 Gmc Sierra Differential Capacity