Changing your fluids! (diy)

[furwolf]

So if you gotta read this, you shouldn't be changing your fluids anyways, I suppose. But this is the first of several I plan on making over the course of bringing my run down 1990 325ix back to life.

If youre a novice, its pretty simple....loosen the drain plug and let the fluid drain out. With the plug removed, depending on what youre draining, check for metal chunks or debris that that are stuck to the magnetic plug. Large chunks can be cause for concern Use an appropriate filler pump to fill the component (tranny, diff, etc) from the top plug. Once the fluid begins to drip out the top of the plug, its full. Tighten accordingly.

Feel free to add whatever you guys think is good, I'll be making a nicer, cleaner looking PDF version.

Next week I'm having Ryan G. change the CV boots. He's going to try and take some pictures for me that I hope to post up should anyone want to attempt this at home. Additionally I'll be doing shocks/struts (at some point), dropping parts of the transmission to rebuild the shifter and service the drive shaft(s).....all of which I hope to get pictures of.....













Using a pump to fill back up:

[omar85]

seriously?

[furwolf]

Seriously what?


Sorry I had to edit the post like 63 times cause my laptop sucks :(


-FW

[nando]

pics of the transfercase fill/drain would be good. people are always asking about that.

[chris4891]

you might mention that the most important first step is to get the fill plug loosened before you drain all the fluid out... dont want to be hosed if the fill plug happens to be stuck

[DragonOrta]

Redoing the CV boots isn't too bad except for getting the circlip open to get the joint off the axle. Many angry words were said to the circlip and my circlip pliers.

[supernaughtIX]

re: bitchclip on cv joint
I have struggled in the past with my circlip/snapring pliers until someone told me to trim one side, then with a small screwdriver and needlenose, just pull it out

[nando]

it's *much* easier if you put the axle in a vice. takes like 10 seconds to pop it free that way. Otherwise, yeah, it's a total pain in the ass. I didn't have a vice last time and it took me about an hour.

[EA8]

cv boot question: my passenger side cv boot is torn and I decided to have a mechanic take a look and give me his opinion, of course he said I had to replace the whole axle (b/c the grease was turning green - water in grease - those were his words), but do you guys think it is worth it trying to put the new cv boot on there?

dont mean to thread jack, but I saw you guys were already on the topic.

Cheers...

[furwolf]

Are the CV's popping or making any sounds? If they're not, I'd have him clean the CV's and put a generous helping of fresh grease on there, then just replace the boot(s).

-FW

[EA8]

no sounds no nothing ... sweet

[supernaughtIX]

cv boot question: my passenger side cv boot is torn and I decided to have a mechanic take a look and give me his opinion, of course he said I had to replace the whole axle (b/c the grease was turning green - water in grease - those were his words), but do you guys think it is worth it trying to put the new cv boot on there?

dont mean to thread jack, but I saw you guys were already on the topic.

Cheers...

He just doesnt want to bother with the bitch clip and cleaning. You hould be fine with new boots/grease, unless something is broken or badly worn when he gets it apart.

[EA8]

i was actually planning to do it myself ... just a little scared on how much of a pain it will be based on other people's experience.

[furwolf]

Dont forget to bring a towel!

Also, take pictures, sharing is caring :)

-PC

[EA8]

will do ...now for changing the fluids, what size sockets to do i need for the tranny and diff?? unless i missed it somewhere :D