Replacing diff oil

[griston64]

I think I would tend to agree with you regarding the drain bolt on mine. It doesn't look any different to the bolts around it which would also suggest that.

I'm only doing it as preventative maintenance same as I did with the gearbox oil. So not really sure what to do now.Just think at 127k it could be pretty grotty. Wonder what the Volvo intended mileage was for "sealed for life" ?

[Laird Scooby]

There is often a drain plug located on the underside of the main diff housing Mark, might pay to check that as well.

Have a look at Pg12 (by the pdf page counter) of this pdf Joe :

http://www.myvolvolibrary.info/Tech_...DataPocket.pdf

If you genuinely have a 1041 axle, don't forget the additive when you change the oil.

[baggy798]

Do all the diff cover bolt holes protrude into the diff? If not the lower one is for draining.

Think I used loctite when doing it back up.

Capacity is 1.75 litres, but only got 1.4 back in.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by baggy798

Do all the diff cover bolt holes protrude into the diff? If not the lower one is for draining.

Think I used loctite when doing it back up.

Capacity is 1.75 litres, but only got 1.4 back in.

Not quite sure what you mean. The filler bolt is obvious but drain isn't. they all look more like bolts that hold the diff cover on to me. I'll have another look tomorrow as it's too wet just now

Cheers

[griston64]

Re-Filling Rear Axle Lube.



Draining the Differential Oil. Before you drain any oil out, make sure you can open the fill plug near the top of the differential rear cover plate. An oil suction gun will leave much of the oil in the axle; draining through the drain plug or lower bolt hole makes more sense.

Earlier Axles With Drain Plugs. Drain the oil by removing the fill plug at the bottom of the differential case.
Later Axles Without Drain Plugs. [Inquiry] How do I drain and refill my rear axle housing when it does not have a drain plug? [Response: C. McGrew] The later axles do not have drain plugs so just remove the bottom cover bolt at the six o'clock position and let the oil drain through the bolt hole. If it does not drain because of dirt, secure a new gasket and remove the cover.

[baggy798]

Yeah I was talking about the bolts that hold the cover on around the outside.

[griston64]

You might find this useful LPT Joe

Which Lubricants? [Jay Simkin] Most Volvo rear axles take normal gear oil in a 75W-90 grade. To know if a limited slip additive is needed for proper diff operation, look for the differential identification label, white with black letters/numerals, on the left axle housing close to the control arm. This label likely is covered with grime/undercoating. Clean the area with window cleaner: a strong solvent might destroy the label. If the label bears Volvo Part No. 1216411 and the numerals "1041", the differential is a type 1041 (Eaton auto locking diff). No additives of any kind are needed to your stock 75W-90 rear axle oil. If the differential is a "1031" axle and has the dealer installed option so that it is a "limited slip differential", there should be a metal tag affixed to the diff cover. This tag may specify "anti-spin oil", which means an LSD additive. About four ounces of the limited slip additive is needed.

Note: an "automatic locking" differential, installed in 1041 axles on later 940s, is NOT a "limited slip" differential. The automatic locker can use normal gear oils as below; the limited slip unit requires the additive above.

[griston64]

This is from Skandix website

Hope this isn't getting boring

Volvo 200, 700, 900 from app. 1992:
A new differential housing type has been used at vehicles with rigid axle from app. 1992. You can identify the new type by the fact that there is no oil drain plug at the bottom. The oil is now drained through the lowest bolt hole of the differential cover. Do not use the paper gasket at these axles! Liquid sealing agent must be used to make sure that the speed sensor has the correct clearance to the differential. A wrong clearance will cause problems with wrong speed and ABS signals. Use Sealing agent 1016237 or 1002950.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by griston64

Hope this isn't getting boring

Definitely not Mark! Very interesting and informative!

Just for some real confusion - my previous vehicle between my last 740 and this 760 had a factory fit 1031 rear axle and 1030 front axle. Later versions of similar had a 1031 rear and 1041 front - go figure y'all!

Big clue in the last few words of that last sentence!

[mocambique-amazone]

1: try to open the filler plug
2: Remove the full cover made of alloy
3: clean the small filter inside and the speed sensor with a lot of brake cleaner
4: remote the smug at bottom of the differential housing
5: fit the cover with sealant
6: at 75W90 GL5 without additive. Only the real LSD will require additives
You will be able to identify what's inside if the cover is removed.
G80 is no limited slip

A lot of this is posted already above by other members

Have fun, Kay