GM Pickup Trucks With G-80 Locker Read This

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I changed my lube in the rear today in my low mileage (25,000 miles) 2012 Silverado truck today and it was really nasty looking. I discovered a TSB on this and it says to change the lube at the first oil change and to use only 80W-90 oil w/o the additive only. I didn't have any idea the rear needed to be "broken in" and oil changed early, but for those of you out there with the G-80 rear differential change your oil if you haven't already!
 
"Originally Posted by General Motors

LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICANT (SERVICE INFORMATION) #91-4-109
SUBJECT: LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (G80) LUBRICANT - (SERVICE INFORMATION)
VEHICLES AFFECTED: ALL LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH G80 REAR AXLE ALL YEARS
Some light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles (G80) may exhibit rear axle chatter, especially when turning a corner from a stop.
This condition of alternate engagement and disengagement of clutches in differential assembly is usually caused by contaminated axle lubricant.
To correct this condition, drain and refill the rear axle with SAE 80W-90 GL5 (P/N 10950849).

The use of any additive in locking rear axles (G80) is not recommended. Rear axle additives are designed for use in limited slip differentials which are normally installed in cars. All light duty trucks equipped with RPO G80 make use of a locking differential and the use of additives will delay the engagement of the locking mechanism and may decrease axle life.

VEHICLES/COMPONENTS INVOLVED: ----------------------------- Some light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles, RPO G80.
SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number Description ----------- ------------------ 10950849 Lubricant, Rear Axle (1 litre)
Parts are currently available through CANSPO.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
As specified in Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedules, locking rear axle fluid drain and refill is required owner maintenance at the first engine oil change. Failure to drain and refill the rear axle as specified may contribute to a later axle chatter condition. Refer to the appropriate Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedule or service manual, section OB, for further details on change intervals.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved."
 
I just serviced the 11.5" rear diff on my brothers truck this weekend.
2008 Chevy 2500HD Crew cab Duramax 6.6 with the G80 locker.
Considering it had never been changed , at 170k miles , it looked pretty good.
Filled it with 75W90 Amsoil Severe Gear.
 
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Yeah, that's what I thought... that bulletin is from 1991 (hence the "91" at the beginning of the number).

The long and the short... no, you don't need to change the rear axle fluid at the first oil change if you have a G80. That's an archaism that died a long time again. The last time I remember seeing that recommendation was for very early GMT800 trucks in 99-02. Differentials and axles got better. Fluids got better.

Don't follow the bulletin for fluid recommendation either. The bulletin is so old, P/N 10950849 isn't even available anymore. The P/N was superseded once, but even the superseded P/N has discontinued. About the only thing that holds true in the bulletin is that you shouldn't be using an additive.

For your 2012 Silverado, you should be using a synthetic 75W90 (P/N 88900401).
 
Good to know. I just got an 05 2500hd that i want to do its differential on. I happen to have tons of Mobil Delvac 75w90 synthetic, super expensive long mileage fluid, anyone think that would be a bad idea in it?
 
The newer trucks come with a synthetic fill. I changed mind at 50,000 miles (about half-towing) and it didn't look that bad.

I have a 2011-Silverado Crew Cab w/the 5.3 and the G80 locker.

That is an old out dated TSB and is not applicable to newer trucks.
 
At about 100k km/66k mi, the rear axle leaked oil on to the driver side brakes, so I drained the FF. It did not look bad at all. I refilled with Shell Spirax synthetic 75W90 and have not had any issues. I have never had any chatter.

GM recommends the oil level to be 5/8 to 1 5/8 in below fill plug. After the oil leak, I went on the low side, filling it to 1 1/2 in below fill plug. The axle started whining on coast down. I added more oil and brought the level to 5/8 in below fill plug and that took care of the whine.

While I had the diff cover off, I drilled a hole and installed a drain plug on the cover so that I do not have to take the cover off to drain the oil.
 
I filled mine until it started running out. There is a fill plug on the diff cover. FWIW NAPA sells non-syn 80W-90. I can't see this doing any worse than the factory fill. But then, I use my truck for towing so it actually gets used as a truck. Mine didn't chatter either, but the new oil def quieted it down.
 
2012 takes grape drink...
ACDelco-Grape-oil.jpg
 
I have delo syn 75w90 in my escalade g80. No issues. I have used supertech 80w90 in g80s before and couldn't tell the difference.
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
I filled mine until it started running out. There is a fill plug on the diff cover. FWIW NAPA sells non-syn 80W-90. I can't see this doing any worse than the factory fill. But then, I use my truck for towing so it actually gets used as a truck. Mine didn't chatter either, but the new oil def quieted it down.

It surely provides thicker oil film for stronger wear protection.
 
I think they use the synthetic for less maintenance; I'll be changing it every 25-30K. Maybe the clutches on the locker need a break-in, but there sure was a lot of "glittery stuff" in the oil, plus the carrier was coated with blackened oil. It was as if I changed the original oil in a 100K mile truck. In my previous statement by "quieting down", I meant there was a little noise, but not chattering when I gassed it in a sharp curve. It was like taking up the slack and is gone with the new oil. I'm def happy with the results.
 
I cannot challenge anyone's results. But I have owned more than a few Silverados here. In the G80 models we never did anything different, and some of them were never touched. Never heard or noticed a peep out of them, I don't really think a 1991 TSB has any bearing (pun intended!) on this "issue"...
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I cannot challenge anyone's results. But I have owned more than a few Silverados here. In the G80 models we never did anything different, and some of them were never touched. Never heard or noticed a peep out of them, I don't really think a 1991 TSB has any bearing (pun intended!) on this "issue"...


That def makes me feel better knowing the G80 can hold up for a long time. I'm now thinking that the oil probably wouldn't have looked much different at higher miles.
 
Lucky you with "tons" of that oil.
I run the Delvac Synthetic gear oil with Eaton G80 ... Serious pedigree gear oil right there ...
It has been endorsed by Molacule too ...
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I cannot challenge anyone's results. But I have owned more than a few Silverados here. In the G80 models we never did anything different, and some of them were never touched. Never heard or noticed a peep out of them, I don't really think a 1991 TSB has any bearing (pun intended!) on this "issue"...


That def makes me feel better knowing the G80 can hold up for a long time. I'm now thinking that the oil probably wouldn't have looked much different at higher miles.


One of our trucks was a 2004 model 5.3 with a locker rear end and it was driven by several different folks with different styles of driving. It ran to nearly 150k miles before we sold it. Never even touched the rear end, we just somehow overlooked it. But I know one of my employees beat the daylights out of that truck when he had it!
 
I got Delvac Synthetic on Amazon - you have to shop it for price - not cheap but you can run a long time ...
... Zoro or another internet site might be cheaper right now ...
 
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