F-Body Europe

How often do you change the oil in the limited slip differential of the LS1 fbodies?
The German Manual says: every year or 15000km.
In the first three years the garage did not change the oil at all!
Last year they had to, because the seal for the shaft needed replacement.

I just had my Z28 (99model) for inspection: I was watching the mechanic:
He just changed the engine oil and checked the underside for leaks.
I paid 171EUR for material and one hour of work! Next time I do this on my own!


Cheers!
Gunnar

PS: Next week the Movit brake will come!

171€ for that? Pretty hefty - I just had mine through in March, 190something, but that was with TÜV/AU, waranty inspection, oil change, etc. ... (too much, too, but that was the last waranty inspection for the car, so from now on ... )

Every 15000kms? Thats a bit exaggerated IMO.
(I have no LS1, but at least a 3.42 LS Diff)
I don´t know how often the previous owner changed that oil,
but I changed it the first time after 35000kms of driving and i came out very clear with only very little metal shavings in it and on the magnet of the cover (even though it smelled horrible ) ...

And make sure to remove really all old gasket material, otherwise the cover will leak.

Just my two cents.

Here is what my Chilton says :



Oil diff. was changed at 12000 km and it was clear but I prefer to follow these instructions - if you want your car to last
I did not use additive but I found a LSD oil designed for a Citroen car that has same characteristics than GM fluid.
I replaced the old gasket by blue RTV and it works very well, no leaks.

And it's a lot cheaper to do it yourself if you can.

Just my 2 cents...

To Fred: In future I will do all services at Kikenberg US Cars in Bergkamen. Herr Kikenberg has been working on US cars for the last 20 years. He also recommended the GM additive for limited slip differential.

To Garry: What warranty? My Z28 is built 1999, so the warranty ran out last year (ie after three years). Your convertible is 1998, so how long is your warranty?

Cheers!
Gunnar

When I bought the car, it had a 1000 day waranty through the dealer ... runs out next winter ...

I had big question re this too.

The UK Camaro Owners manual says every 10k miles, but I also read conflicting info.

I emailed GM - "He said POOP" answer.

I emailed Zexel Torsen who replied by saying they had checked with GM and the recommendation is every 10k miles. However, driving normal would comforatbly do more.

Verdict - ervy 10k miles won't hurt.

I've read that using any additive other than GM additive makes the diff slip. You have been warned. I got scammed 128 quid for changing the rear axle oil as a result of the local dealer using 3 individual litre bottles of diff oil at 28 quid plus VAt a bottle. I hate them so much...