The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fluid/Oil Questions

I have a couple questions as to which oils/fluids to use.

Transmission oil.... is there any specific type i should use? and where do i fill it? ive seen pics on a couple trucks that have a spout leading to the transmission but mine doesn't.

Diff fluid... Im not sure if my problem is that i have no fluid left, but when i was doing my brakes i noticed a "ticking" noise come from the differential every time the rear wheels were spun, same for the front.

Steering box, it has a "ticking" noise just like the rear diff when the steering wheel is turned, im not sure if this is the issue i have with the front wheels ticking or if its just the steering box

Any suggestions on what i should use? or even maybe my problem isnt low fluid/oil but just a bunked up part?

Hy Josh_51GMC, you could use 80-90 wt. for all three of those applications, after you fill watch for leaks from everything. The transmission fills through a plug on the side of the case. about a third of the way up the side, fill to the bottom of the threads. The diff. fills through a plug in the rear of the housing (actually a cover), fill to the bottom of the threads. The steering box fills through a plug in the top of the housing, there has been a lot of discussion about using John Deere corn head grease in the steering box as it is obviously less likely to leak out, hope that helps.

You should not have a ticking noise coming from the steering box. If you feel any roughness in the steering, get it checked out.

I changed my transmission fluid in my 4 speed to 80w140 and I found the synchros worked a little faster.

Thanks 3B, any idea's as to how much oil i should get? also, i know draining the transmission is a no brainer before adding new oil, but what about the diff and steering box?

Truckernix, i thought the same but my shop teacher said it could just be that any left over grease/oil has hardened/dried and that is what is causing the ticking... i currently have the truck up on stands and the steering wheel turns real smooth, and easy

Hy Josh_51GMC, the factory fluid measurements are in pints, you may never have heard of that measurement. There are roughly two imperial pints to a litre. Four speed transmission capacity is 5 1/2 pints, rear axle capacity 6 pints, steering box is probably less than a pint, hope that helps.

Thanks so much 3B!