VT LSD DIFF oil change

[scbh81]

Hey guys

I got the following quote from another post. My question to this is how hard is it to change the oil and the pinion seal etc....???

"Under certain driving conditions a series of clunks, accompanied at times
with corresponding vibrations, may be experienced by owners of 1997 - 2001
Commodore V8s fitted with LSD. Condition affects both auto and manual.
Symptoms usually occur;
# when the diff oil is warm
# at low speed (such as driving in a car park, driveway etc)
# when turning the steering wheel (rear wheels turning at different rates)
# usually more noticeable in reverse than forward direction

The condition can be described as a slip/stick situation, where the LSD is
slipping and then grabbing again. This condition is known as LSD chatter.

The official fix is to drain the oil out of the diff. Replace the pinion
seal with the revised seal which is compatible with the chemical properties
of the friction modifier. Next, add ONE bottle of friction modifier LSD
additive to the diff. Then fill diff with Mobilube SHC ID synthetic diff
oil. Spicer Axle Aust say that if the friction modifier is added without
changing the pinion seal, then the pinion seal will eventually fail due to
the chemical incompatibility between the additive and the seal.

The above is a summary of the official fix according to the manufacturer of
the diff, not my own opinion. In my experience, this fix is effective. It
seems people have their own opinions on what fixes this problem, but having
actually performed this fix on more than 100 cars in the last two years, I
can say from experience that this fix is extremely effective "

Any advice would be awsum!!!!

Cheers

 

[scbh81]

ok i have done a bit of reading and it says that Castrol SAF X or something like that does not require the additive and changing of the pinion seal as it comes with its own additive.

Is this correct or should is stick to the above post's advise?

 

[scbh81]

Can someone please help?

I just went and bought the Castol Oil SAF XA for the diff.
Do i still need to add the additive and change the pinion seal?
I am trying to avoid changing the pinion seal as its apparently a real B*tch to do.

Any advise would be great!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chargedvx6]

LSX90 is what you need. 1.7L will do the trick and it has the limslip additive in it already

 

[scbh81]

LSX90 is what you need. 1.7L will do the trick and it has the limslip additive in it already

Are u sure mate? I was told the SAF XA fully synthetic is the best for it and that also has the additive in it... I'm confused

Cheers for the reply as well i thought no one would help me.

 

[chargedvx6]

I'm not too sure about the Castrol, haven't used it. I've got a built BW LSD and the builder insists on LSX90 or he will void the warranty. I've been giving the diff hell on a daily basis for around 7 years now and it's only singled twice.

 

[danja]

From the Lion's mouth:

Use LSX90 in a LSD at your own risk. Personally I'd stick with the SAF XA, especially if you have it already. You'll need to get your hands on some additional Sturaco 7098 additive though, because apparently the SAF XA does contain some, but not enough for your application.

Personally I use this stuff, apparently has all the required additive already - no dramas so far: 100% Synthetic 80W-140 Heavy Duty Limited Slip Differential Oil - Nulon Products Australia

 

[Drewie]

I had the oil changed and the additive added by the Holden Dealer on my VX SS and they changed the Pinion Seal, the additive made a huge difference to my diff, absolutely quiet now no noise and all the clunks have gone. Re the Pinion Seal, I asked the dealer if it was neccessary and they said they have done some without changing the seal and the customers have not come back complaining of leaks, but they have been instructed by Holden if it is a warranty job that they were doing that they were told they must change the seal. I guess it depends on how long it takes for the additive to react on the old seal and cause a leak, it may take years who knows, I guess Holden would not have advised to changed the seal if they were not concerned about it.
I watched mine being done, the exhaust had to come off and the tailshaft removed, the Pinion Flange has to be removed from the diff, and so the pre-load is not upset in the diff they maked a line on the flange and nut and the diff body and realigned the marks on re-assembly then gave the nut a tiny bit more of a turn. My diff is fantastic now best it has ever been, very happy with the additive.

 

[Sabbath']

I use SAFXA and the Additive.

Dont use LSX90.

 

[scbh81]

cheers guys.

Thank a lot for the replies. Guess I'm going with the SAF XA and the additive. I may not change the pinion seal and see what happens. If it starts to leak i will then change it.