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02-25-2013, 04:40 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Deland, FL
Posts: 21
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Topping off the rear axle fluid
The fluid is just a tad low in the rear axle and want to top it off before an upcoming trip. I was reading the chevy p30 manual and the gear oil viscosity is different depending on the axle model.
How can I determine the model I have? In my signature is info on the model coach I have along with the VIN. I tried decoding the vin thinking that like the engine one of the letter/numbers might lead me to knowing what I have. Maybe someone can chime in and give me another place to check. Shouldn't their be a stamp or a tag on the axle itself somewhere?
Thanks,
Doug
__________________
1996 Four Winds Majestic (identical to the Hurricane model)
Chevrolet P30 Chassis W/ 454 7.4L TBI
VIN: 1GBKP37N5S3******
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02-25-2013, 04:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 463
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Call your local police or state police auto theft unit. They can decode your VIN.
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02-25-2013, 05:14 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Deland, FL
Posts: 21
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VIN decoding to determine the deferential
Im able to decode the vin. I just thought it was strange that I couldn't identify the axle model by the vin because for example you can identify the brakes and the engine etc. I know I the coach I have is 1 ton. Would that narrow it down? If nothing else I can always use the SAE-80W 90 GL-5 gear lube. But if I have the Rockwell model I wouldn't want to thin out the lube too much. Plus later on when I do a full fluid change I'd like to know what I have to refill with the proper viscosity.
__________________
1996 Four Winds Majestic (identical to the Hurricane model)
Chevrolet P30 Chassis W/ 454 7.4L TBI
VIN: 1GBKP37N5S3******
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02-25-2013, 05:44 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Warren County, NJ
Posts: 1,354
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Maybe a phone call to a General Motors dealer might help you determine what axle configuration you have.
Another question I have is, if the fluid is low then where did it go? Do you have a leak on one of the axle seals? Gear oil does not evaporate.
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Gene & Ginger
2019 Chevy Express 3000 6.0L
2024 Grand Design Imagine 2600RB
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02-25-2013, 05:50 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Surprise Arizona
Posts: 1,994
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If the pinion is at the centerilne of the differential its standard. I doubt you have a commercial chassis. To the best of my knowledge no motorhomes were built on the commercial chassis.
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Harold & Linda
2009 CT coachworks siena 35V
W22 Workhorse 8.1L. Explorer Sport toad,
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02-25-2013, 07:34 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Blairsville, GA
Posts: 1,084
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Have you crawled under the mh to look for any manufacturer identifying markings or tags on the axle?
Additionally, if you do not know when the diff fluid was last changed you may want to just change it out instead of just add.
__________________
Terry
'05 Dutch Star 4015- all new exterior in 2015, '16 Rubicon OlllllO, & HD Ultra ElectraGlide, NKK14278L
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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02-25-2013, 11:56 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,654
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Jack up one wheel, block rest, brakes off, not in park, does the one rear wheel move?
If not then limited slip which requires different oil.
When in doubt use stuff for limited slip and you will be fine.
__________________
Tony & Lori
1989 Country Coach Savannah SE
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03-14-2013, 05:53 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Deland, FL
Posts: 21
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It's now identified as the a standard axel. Being the RV is primarily driven in the summer here in Florida Im using the heavier 85W - 140 GL5. Last question I have is is the axle cover sealed with silicone sealant or a gasket? Then what are the torque specs? I tried looking through the chassis manual and it doesn't mention these things. Thanks
__________________
1996 Four Winds Majestic (identical to the Hurricane model)
Chevrolet P30 Chassis W/ 454 7.4L TBI
VIN: 1GBKP37N5S3******
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03-14-2013, 07:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Palmer Ak
Posts: 1,136
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What do you call 'low' on fluid? When I was checking larger vehicle differentials, I was making sure that the fluid was with 1/2" of the fill hole. Remember that the differential fluid will expand when it gets hot. You do not want the oil up to the bottom of the fill hole.
__________________
2009 38' Diplomat
CSM- retired, wife as co-pilot
Reka & Ali providing security (our 2 labs)
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03-14-2013, 07:49 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Deland, FL
Posts: 21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R2Home
What do you call 'low' on fluid? When I was checking larger vehicle differentials, I was making sure that the fluid was with 1/2" of the fill hole. Remember that the differential fluid will expand when it gets hot. You do not want the oil up to the bottom of the fill hole.
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According to the manual your wrong. At least on my coach model. This is what the Coach chassis manual is calling low. Look at the lower left of the illustration.
__________________
1996 Four Winds Majestic (identical to the Hurricane model)
Chevrolet P30 Chassis W/ 454 7.4L TBI
VIN: 1GBKP37N5S3******
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03-18-2013, 07:21 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Deland, FL
Posts: 21
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Standard Axle cover and filler plug torque specs
Well, thanks to another forum I was able to get the info I needed to do the maintenance. Since no one seem'd to know this info I thought I'd share for future reference in case someone does a search on the topic.
There are two common axles that come standard on the p30 chassis.
How to distinguish the two:
If it has 10 cover bolts it is a DANA 80 (11") and the cover bolt torque is 35 ft-lbs. The filler plug torque 25 ft-lb
If it has 14 cover bolts it is a GM corporate (10.5") and the bolt torque is 30 ft-lbs. The filler plug torque 18 ft-lb
The cover may be sealed with a gasket that only runs about $5 at Auto Zone or you can use RTV. Either will work. I actually prefer Permatex Ultra Black RTV.
__________________
1996 Four Winds Majestic (identical to the Hurricane model)
Chevrolet P30 Chassis W/ 454 7.4L TBI
VIN: 1GBKP37N5S3******
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