How to change differential fluid in a Chevy Colorado

A 16 minute how-to video showing the process of changing the front and rear differential oil on a 1st generation Chevy Colorado. This video should be applicable to most 1st generation Colorado's, as well as GMC Canyon, Hummer H3, and Isuzu vehicles with the 4WD system. Any questions please drop them in the comments. If this video was helpful please 'like' and 'subscribe'. Thanks!

[@CompTechMike]

If you liked this video or found it helpful, please "like" and "subscribe" to my channel. It really helps me out a lot. I have dozens of videos on troubleshooting and repairs of 1st generation Chevy Colorado and regularly add more. Check out the entire playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLZsiP8a81zDFWVAWL_RxIkDSn2TSAcU8y My current truck has 237,000 miles and is still running great. Hope to keep it that way a lot longer. Thanks!

[@BigMatt202]

As a DiY'er and proud owner of a 2007 Chevy Colorado Z71 (2WD) with almost 300,000 miles on it (I call him Harold) I've come across your videos a lot. Every time I need to do something to my truck, you have a video on it. I just wanted to thank you. Subbed.

[@CompTechMike]

Awesome! Thank you so much for your kind words. I love just about everything about these trucks (except for the horseshoe spring on the rear brakes, LOL), and am glad to help keep more of them on the road. Thanks!

[@BigMatt202]

@@CompTechMike I had problems with that same spring. And there's another dude on here that did a video on it where he just clips it in place and I'm like, there's something going on here because you, and me, could not get that thing in correctly... I had my GF push on it while I spread it, and it I think it still didn't go in right... We messed with that thing for like an hour (per side)

[@CompTechMike]

@@BigMatt202 Wow! I wonder if some of them have less tension on them, maybe? Or some people just get lucky, LOL. 🤷‍♀️🤣

[@CompTechMike]

If this video was helpful to you, please 'like' and 'subscribe'. Thanks!

[@gusrice6180]

Great video Mike. I have the exact same truck and color. I’m totally with you on the absence of drain plugs on almost every working system on this truck!! Here is why GM does it= to force the average diy shady tree mechanic and every other person who doesn’t work on their car 🚗 to bring it to a GM dealer so they can gouge every cent out of you lol it’s the truth and I know several Guys who worked for dealerships and they even wish the drain plugs were there !! It’s a shame , thanks for rear diff video , mine is leaking and has 200K on it 👍🏻👍🏻

[@CompTechMike]

You're welcome! Glad the video is helpful. Glad I am not the only one frustrated with the lack of drain plugs, lol! 🤣

[@quandaking8177]

Helped out alot brother...preshate it man....

[@CompTechMike]

You're welcome! Glad to help. ☺👍👍

[@unit11k9]

I leave one bolt on top of the rear end so it does not fall off.

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for the comment. That's a good tip. i assume you take the one bolt out after the fluid has drained so you can inspect the inside and replace the gasket?

[@unit11k9]

@@CompTechMike yes that is correct

[@evolee8949]

What gear oil? does it have limited slip added? Or no?

[@CompTechMike]

75W-90, Mobil 1 Synthetic. I show it right in the first 45 seconds of the video. 😉 Assuming you have the same model of truck, no additional additives needed.

[@tennyis28]

The other good reason to take the full out first is make sure it’s not seized before you drain it :)

[@CompTechMike]

LOL! Good point! 😁

[@tennyis28]

@@CompTechMike you mentioned it at the end, I just didn't watch far enough lol

[@gusrice6180]

Hey Mike, my rear diff seems to be leaking gear oil more towards the U joint and not by the gasket with all the bolts …where could it be leaking from ,?

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! I would say that would be the front seal of the differential. Near where the driveshaft connects. Have never had to change one of those, personally, so I'm not sure if you can get to it by dropping the driveshaft and getting to it from the front, or if you'd have to remove the back, axle shafts, and gears. Hopefully it can be done from the front (as that would probably be a lot easier). Good luck, let me know what you find out!

[@CompTechMike]

Maybe wipe everything down first and try to verify the source of the leak?

[@henrymallett6847]

Hey gus i know it’s a year later, but i’ve had to replace said seal that’s leaking for you. I got to it by pulling out the end of the u-joint that goes into the diff after that you can access it

[@robnall3483]

I have a 2007 Colorado, striped out the fill nut, filled through breather hose, would you know how much I need to fill it, thx

[@CompTechMike]

Hi Rob! Ugh, that sucks, man. Am glad that's never happened to me (although came close a few times). Obviously hindsight is 20/20, but in the future it's always good to make sure you're able to remove any fill nuts before draining out all the fluid. In any case, rear differential on the 1st gen Colorado/Canyon usually takes 1.6-1.8 quarts. You'd be fine if you put two in there. Good luck, hope you're able to get the fill nut out at some point, maybe weld something to it to allow you to turn it?

[@misupercooner]

How far do you fill the rear diff? Until it comes out the fill hole?

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Yes, until it's coming out the hole. 👍

[@misupercooner]

@@CompTechMike thanks been enjoying the canyon tutorials!

[@gusrice6180]

Hi How many quarts does the rear diff hold ??

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! This may vary depending on your differential and model year. Generally capacities varies between 1.6L-1.8L (3.4-3.8 pints).

[@Morgan10]

Is there any other grease fittings

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for the comment. On my '07 the only two greasable points are the outer tie rod ends. I'm not even sure if this was original - I replaced my outer tie rod ends a few years ago with aftermarket. On my old cars (early 1970s) everything was greasable -- inner & outer tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, idler arm, U-joints, and probably a few other places I'm forgetting, LOL. Sure is funny how things have changed. I know they make these things so that they're supposed to last much longer now, but I still like being able to do maintenance on them. I went to service my wife's car recently and planned on servicing the power steering fluid - only to find out it had electric power steering! 🤣

[@rushjosh1354]

What’s on the front like what’s the bumper called????

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! That's a brush guard. They're pretty common, you've never seen one before? Here's an install video with some more pictures if you're interested. 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaXZiWuLib6gaLc

[@Ghost-tx5jf]

How much fluid goes back in there

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! This may vary depending on your differential and model year. Generally capacities varies between 1.6L-1.8L (3.4-3.8 pints).

[@cjschoolcraft2038]

He said installation is the removal of disassembly 🤭

[@CompTechMike]

Slip of the tongue, it's hard recording and working at the same time. Obv. meant "reverse". Maybe getting a bit senile. 🤣

[@cjschoolcraft2038]

@@CompTechMike I knew what you meant...I just thought it was funny

[@chrisboothroyd6195]

You spend so much time talking and barely any of it talks about the actual job being done. Half the video is not helpful because you are holding the camera. Also list the torque specs instead of just saying tightened down.

[@CompTechMike]

Thanks for the comment. I'm talking because I'm explaining how to do the job. And I'm holding the camera because how else would I point it? Head-mounted GoPro? Lol. 🤷🤣 For torque specs I recommend the website chevy-specs.com. Obviously you'll want to look it up for your specific vehicle, since yours may be different than mine. I'm just showing the process, not the exact specs. 😉

[@karlmel15]

Another example of short sighted GM engineering. Why put a drain plug in the rear

[@CompTechMike]

Exactly! Imho every fluid that needs to be changed should have a drain plug. Make it easier for the people who come after you.