Well, I replaced all the universal joints in my 83 245 so the shaking is gone, but she still humms while driving - not the same tone as the ujoints, but she's singing. I'm going to check the fluid level in the rear, but if its low, what do I stick in there? I have the stuff I put in my Scout (a bit of sand mixed with mud ) which is universal gear oil, will that work?

Sometime this weekend my front drivers light and tail light magically came back on, and we'll knock on wood that they keep working!

Sarah and Rover - the dog hauler 83 245dl, 168,000 miles
(3 oil changes in the last 20,000!)

'bout the only lubricant that smells worse than gear oil is used GM transmission fluid. I dropped the tranny oil pan on a junkyard Buick transverse-mounted V-6 in search of the oil pan magnet.* The car died at about 100k miles, and it wasn't wrecked. The pan had no drain plug, so I had to remove about 20 bolts while lying in the mud under an unjacked car. Well, the fluid started leaking out when I got to the last few bolts, and completely covered my arms. The stench was almost organic. It literally made me gag. I don't think the fluid had ever been changed. Still, I got my magnet! It is now doing duty in an AW-70 in our '92 244 (originally from from a '91 244 our son wrecked back in 2003).

* The magnet in the 244 AW-70 pans are sort of anemic. I received a tip here on B-Board about GM tranny magnets. They're structurally stronger than the Volvo magnets and more powerful, as well. They're donut-shaped, about 2 inches in diameter. When you're at the yard, look for a mid-1980s to mid-1990s GM fwd passenger car. They ain't rare in the yards!

I dropped the tranny oil pan on a junkyard Buick transverse-mounted V-6 in search of the oil pan magnet.


You're hardcore! I'd just have ordered a magnet from a scientific supply house :)


-b.

You're kind, bosozoku, stupid is probably a more apt description! The counter guy at the yard must have thought so too, he gave me the magnet at no charge!

90 weight gear oil unless its a limited slip then its synthetic.

The rear end is same as a Jeep/Scout (Dana 30) but treat is nicer since its supposed to last as long as the engine (400K?)

80W90 GL-5, IIRC. Make sure to drain the old stuff out, not just top off the pumpkin. Use a hose and a squeeze bottle to fill the differential - pouring from a bottle is impractical due to the tight fit.


Oh, and don't get any on you or your clothes because your wife, dog, mistress, and friends will avoid you until the smell fades away.


-b.

Lol, I am the wife! Thanks for the help everyone, and are you serious, I've got a Dana 30 under there?

Yep, a Dana 30, same as used in some Jeeps. Supposedly, you can
even install limited-slip differentials meant for Jeeps without
problems.

-b.

I put $6 worth of Wal-Mart 80w90 gear oil in my 3.91 diff; about 1.7 litres worked fine. It is vile stuff, not like a lil ole oil change.

You only need different stuff if you have a limited slip diff.

If you are going to drain, make sure the fill plug comes out *first*.

--
Stef -- 1981 wagon B21A SU M46 317000km