Hi,


I'm finally getting around to swaping out the front dif fluid to Mobil 1 and replacing my black breather with the white one. What tools will I need and any tips or tricks????????


Thanks,


Steve

I see by your signture that you have A 2003 truck, mine is A 2003 and it already had the white breather from the factory, maybe yours has too.


Also how do you like your Cloudrider SS Cold Front?


I was thinking of getting A set of them. Edited by: John R

Steve, all you need is a socket(can't recall the size), ratchet, and some tubing to make refilling it easier. Remove the skidplate. If I was able to do it , anybody can. Thanks again for the racor info. Still deciding on which way to go, suddenly there are too many choices !


Mike

John R,


Mine is the black one and the dealer told me it wasn't cold enough for them to do it. Well it has been down to -40 already so IT IS COLD ENOUGH!! So I need to do it. As far as the Cloudrider goes I love it. works very well and looks 100% better than the factory one.


InTentsDmax,


Your welcome and anything I can help with don't be afraid to ask.


To Everyone.........


How does the breather come off???


Thanks,


Steve

It unscrews from the diff housing. The big hex shaped item in the center is what you get a wrench or socket on to unscrew it. Edited by: Hound

i must have missed it what is the difference between the white and black elements?

i must have missed it what is the difference between the white and black elements?








The white one is for synthetic, and the black one is for regular axle oil.


Something about the "O" ring I think.

I'm finally getting around to swaping out the front dif fluid to Mobil 1 and replacing my black breather with the white one. What tools will I need and any tips
Small hands and an adjustable wrench.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif The area you'll be working in isn't the easiest, but it can be done (and I have the skinned knuckles to prove it http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif).

* Remove the breather hose.

* Using the adjustable, remove the black cover. There's a "nut" cast right into the center of the plastic cap. Just twist it.

* Screw the white cap on, but don't over-tighten it. The plastic isn't the strongest thing I've ever seen, and mine objected to being tightened too much. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

* Put the breather hose back on.

* Go have a cold one, because you're done!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

Thanks everyone!! I love this sitehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Steve

My 03 has the white breather cap installed already as well.

Mine was an early 03 and about midway through the model year they switched and there is a TSB on it but it seems most dealers are too cheap to do the fix. Though some have said their dealer did it for them. Just not lucky enough to have a dealer like that.


Steve

Does anyone have the part number for the white breather?

12479296 for the white breather

So if you have the white breater do you have synthetic diff fluid? I guess not.


I approached my dealer and asked them to do this TSB for me. They said that our climate wasn't extreme enough. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Dead.gif Well, last week I was talking to them again, and they said I better get my truck in right away to have the tsb done. Seems they have had a couple trucks needing new front diffs due to the pinion bearing not getting enough lubrication with dino lube when it is cold. They sure changed their tune in a hurry!

So if you have the white breater do you have synthetic diff fluid? I guess not.
Correct; just because you have the right breather cap doesn't mean you actually have synthetic oil in their.

See TSB info at:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=554&PN=1

White vent hose connector, GM # 12479296
Lubricate new O-ring
Torque to 18 ft lbs with 24mm deep socket, (15/16 inch deep will work) , with 6 or 9 inch extentionEdited by: modified

I had the dealer do the front and rear differential service on my truck at 25,000mi or so. This would have been a just over a year ago. I wonder if they changed out that vent hose connector on mine at that time. Well this spring I will change out the fluids to Amsoil sysnthetic and I will make sure it has the right vent hose connection in the front. I should have them check it since it is a known TSB. That way they can replace it for me.

I had the dealer do the front and rear differential service on my truck at 25,000mi or so. This would have been a just over a year ago. I wonder if they changed out that vent hose connector on mine at that time.
Have you ever been to a dealer that did MORE then they were supposed to? Didn't think so. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif I somehow doubt they swapped it for you.

Warning.......... Tuesday I changed out my black breather for the white one and drained the fluid (?) Also drained and changed out a friends 03 with the white breather installed from the factory and both had the same fluid (?) This junk was foamy (neither of us had it in 4 wheel drive) and like thin jelly. It was about 20 degrees in the shop. If you rubbed this stuff between your fingers, it was not very slippery at all!! So my 2 cents worth says that even if you have the white cap don't wait, change it ASAP. Also both of us had lots of gunk on the magnetic plug. Imagine thathttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif


Steve

Well Jim you are probably right about the dealer not doing more that they have to. It can be hard to get good customer service out of some dealers for sure.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif


Bigsky1 was this the first time the fluid had been changed and if so how many miles on the fluid? That does not sound like the fluid was in good shape at all. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Shocked.gif

Chevyfreek,


Yes it was the first change for both of us. I was at 13000 and he was at just over 9000. Did the rears too and they looked fine but a bit low.


Steve