Re: IML: rear-end/trans problems on '81

["Frederick Joslin" <fljoslin@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Matt:

For the transmission you need to check the fluid level with the engine and transmission both warm to hot with the engine running, transmission in neutral and on flat ground. Do this and if the fluid level is low add a little bit if fluid at a time until the reading is correct. I forget your vehicle, but it probably uses DEXRON III trans fluid. If the fluid is low the transmission will not shift properly.

For the rear end you should really change the fluid. My experience is with the 83/4" rear ends which do not have a drain plug. To drain these you need a pump to pump the oil out through the fill plug. Re-fill using a good rear end fluid any where from 75W to 140W. Heavier fluids are worse in the winter, better in the summer, and tend to quieten noisy rear ends a little. When I fill these rear ends I basically fill it until it just starts to overflow. I have not had any problems doing this. Again make sure you are on level ground.   

Good luck.    

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Gill"
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: rear-end/trans problems on '81
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 01:10:42 -0700


I'm reading in my shop manual about the fluid
in the rear axle, which i believe is
considered to be the differential because it
mentions the Sure-Grip differential. It tells
me that the fluid levels need to be so far
below the bottom of the filler hole, depending
on the axle tube diameter and capacity pints.
How would one go about measuring the fluid?
I'm clueless.. at least I dont see how it can
be done without lifting the car up first.

Gosh i hope it's just a fluid related problem,
of course that means I've got a leak to take
care of, which is still better than parts
getting broken.

On Dec 2, 2006, at 12:46 AM, Matthew Gill wrote:

> Ok i'm not sure exactly what the universal
> joint is, is it where the drive shaft
> connects to the rear end? I saw that, and it
> appeared normal to me, of course that was
> from on my back, at night, with a
> flashlight. I suppose i could take a look in
> my manual to find out how to check the
> fluid, along with the universal joint.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> On Dec 2, 2006, at 12:13 AM, john sadowski wrote:
>
>> A couple of things I would check are the
>> rear universal joint & check if the
>> differential fluid level is where it should
>> be.
>> John
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew Gill"
>> To:
>> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 11:34 PM
>> Subject: IML: rear-end/trans problems on '81
>>
>>
>>> Alright, here's the scoop.
>>>
>>> As i drive it to have the car looked at by
>>> the guy's at the 76 station a couple days
>>> ago (or, my grandmother rather, since she
>>> drove it over for me at the time)... she
>>> tells me that she had to let off the gas
>>> a bit for the car to shift.. and just a
>>> while ago I was driving it earlier this
>>> evening and i went over a dip in the road
>>> and I hear a loud sound coming from the
>>> rear-right side of the car, it sounded as
>>> if i had metal objects clanging around in
>>> the trunk. AFTER I heard that sound, the
>>> car would no longer shift, it would go to
>>> about 32 mph and i would hear the RPM's go
>>> high but no shifting.
>>>
>>> After i parked the car, i checked
>>> underneath and i saw quite a few spots
>>> where it looked as though the trans leaked,
>>> but i checked and there's still fluid in
>>> it, the dip stick shows that it's in the
>>> "ok" area, although i was on a very slight
>>> incline...
>>>
>>> I'm confused and worried at the same time,
>>> does anybody have any helpful tips for me
>>> on this? What could be the problem? Maybe
>>> the rear-end, since I heard that loud
>>> noise in the back end of it? After it
>>> happened i continued to hear a squeaking
>>> sound coming from the back as well.
>>>
>>>
>>> Matt
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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Fred Joslin