This procedure drains and refills the front differential fluid on 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD models equipped with the 5.3L V8 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front differential cover gasket × 1 — ACDelco 88983735 or equivalent
• RTV silicone gasket maker (if reusing cover) × 1 — Permatex 81160 or equivalent

Fluids

• ACDelco 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil — 2.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow front differential to cool if vehicle was recently driven (fluid should be warm but not hot to touch)
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands placed on frame rails
5. Verify vehicle is stable before working underneath

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the front differential
   Locate the front differential housing between the front wheels, forward of the transmission. Identify the differential cover on the rear face of the housing - this is a stamped steel cover held by 10-12 bolts.
2. 2

   Clean the differential cover area
   Use a wire brush to clean around the differential cover bolts and surrounding area to prevent dirt from entering when the cover is removed. Wipe clean with shop rags.
3. 3

   Position drain pan
   Place drain pan directly beneath the differential cover. Position it slightly toward the bottom of the cover as fluid will flow downward when cover is loosened.
4. 4

   Loosen differential cover bolts
   Using a 10mm socket, loosen all differential cover bolts approximately 2-3 turns each. Start at the top and work around the cover perimeter. Do not remove bolts completely yet.
5. 5

   Drain differential fluid
   Carefully loosen the bottom bolts of the differential cover while keeping the top bolts partially engaged. Allow the cover to pivot downward at the bottom, creating a gap for fluid to drain. Once fluid flow slows, remove all remaining bolts and carefully remove the cover. Allow all fluid to drain completely (approximately 2 quarts).
   ⚠Gear oil will have a strong sulfur odor and may be warm. Keep hands and face clear of the drain area.
6. 6

   Clean differential housing and cover
   With cover removed, use shop rags to wipe the inside edge of the differential housing opening, removing any old gasket material or residue. Clean the differential cover thoroughly with a gasket scraper and shop rags, removing all old gasket material from the mating surface. Inspect for metal shavings in the old fluid - a small amount is normal, excessive shavings may indicate wear.
7. 7

   Install new gasket or RTV
   If using a new gasket, position it on the differential cover, ensuring all bolt holes align. If using RTV silicone, apply a continuous 3mm bead around the inside of the bolt holes on the cover mating surface. Allow RTV to set for 5 minutes before installation if specified by manufacturer.
8. 8

   Reinstall differential cover
   Carefully position the differential cover with gasket onto the housing, aligning all bolt holes. Start all cover bolts by hand to ensure proper alignment. Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern, working from center outward to ensure even gasket compression.
   Torque spec

   Differential Cover Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Fill differential with new fluid
   Locate the fill plug on the upper front or side of the differential housing (13mm or 14mm hex). Remove the fill plug. Using a fluid transfer pump or funnel with flexible hose, add approximately 2.5 quarts of ACDelco 75W-90 synthetic gear oil through the fill hole. Fill until fluid begins to seep from the fill hole, indicating proper level. Reinstall and tighten fill plug.
10. 10

    Check for leaks
    Wipe the differential cover area clean with shop rags. Lower vehicle to ground and start engine. Shift through all gear ranges (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive) while stationary. Raise vehicle again and inspect differential cover for any signs of leakage. Retorque cover bolts if necessary.
    Torque spec

    Differential Cover Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all differential cover bolts are torqued to specification in a crisscross pattern
2. Verify fill plug is reinstalled and secure
3. Wipe all excess fluid from differential housing exterior

Verification

• With vehicle running, check for leaks around differential cover after 5 minutes
• Test drive vehicle for 10-15 minutes, listening for any unusual noises from front differential
• After test drive, recheck differential cover area for any signs of fluid seepage
• Verify proper 4WD engagement if equipped with selectable 4WD

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