Differential Fluid Change

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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tedy
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 6:10 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider

Differential Fluid Change

Post by tedy »

I recently drained my differential fluid, removed the differential cover and replaced the gasket on my 81 Spider w/manual transmission. I was all set to put in 1.4 quarts of new fluid and to my surprise, I could barely get one quart to go in. The car is sitting in a space next to the house (so it may not be sitting exactly level), but I can't believe that is the reason. Has anyone encountered this problem before. In my mind .4 quart too low is a significant amount. I guess I could put it in the garage (where it is more level) and try again, or take the remaining fluid to my local oil change place and have them put it up, pull the fill plug and try to put more in the hole. Any suggestions?
AriK
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 1148
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Location: Montreal Canada

Re: Differential Fluid Change

Post by AriK »

Yes that did happen to me, i dont remember the quantities but i dont have any partial containers hanging around so i'm assuming i refilled with a litre till full. I took it for a drive, brought it back to the same level position, cracked open the filler hole to see if it needed more and to my surprise a couple of table-spoons flowed out from being too full, go figure. I guess some fluid sits along the axles to make up for he remainder fluid that didnt go in.
BTW, since we are on this subject what size is the filler bolt? Some fluid leaked out where i store it, i'd like to refill it without lugging my whole toolbox.
tedy
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 6:10 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider

Re: Differential Fluid Change

Post by tedy »

Arik

Thanks for the reply. My fill and drain plugs are both 17mm.
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