I need info on changing gear oil (tranny)

shogunate83 · 09-03-2002, 03:47 AM

Well i have a wrx 5 speed and i am about to hit 15k miles. I can do the rear differiental no problem. But i am not sure about the front. where is the drain plug and what steps should i take?

thanks everyone!

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freq · 09-04-2002, 02:50 PM

The drain plug is easy to spot, right on the bottom of the tranny. I replaced mine a while ago. Most people recommended Redline 75w90ns fluid. It made a noticable difference the shifting of my car.

Check the fluid capacity in your manual. I don't remember offhand.

Also, Make sure you have a really long funnel that will fit down in the hole for when you fill it back up! I had to hack together something with a hose to get my fluid back in the dipstick hole.

shogunate83 · 09-04-2002, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the info freq

anypics? i wanna make sure i get the right plug

aov · 09-05-2002, 04:08 PM

I would suggest not changing it. If you search a little you will find several post from people who have had problems after replacing the gear oil... grinding from 2nd to 1st.

Here is one link where they discuss it:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hlight=syntrax

-anders

North Ursalia · 09-05-2002, 04:12 PM

http://www.northursalia.com/m...id/tfluid.html

Brian
http://www.northursalia.com
http://www.imprezamods.com
http://www.scoobymods.com
http://www.deniedmywarranty.org

shogunate83 · 09-08-2002, 12:46 AM

thanks!

Stanley · 09-09-2002, 07:30 PM

Quote:

I would suggest not changing it. If you search a little you will find several post from people who have had problems after replacing the gear oil... grinding from 2nd to 1st.

Change it. There is absolutely no harm in changing the gear oil. Research the subject and come to your own conclusions on the synthetic vs. dino debate, but don't let a couple of horror stories about grinding gears stop you from doing anything!
FWIW, I put Redline 75 90NS in my tranny about 10K miles ago with no ill effects. ymmv

shogunate83 · 09-10-2002, 12:55 AM

ahhhh this is driving me nuts

sorry... had to let it out..
Ive been doing alotta researching and reading... i am still not sure what i wanna put in... What are other good gear oils besides redline? Where can i get them and how much are they?

GQ · 09-10-2002, 10:53 AM

I did the same thing a month ago.
I used 3.7qts of Redline 75 90ns in the transmission, and
.8qts. of Redline 75 90 in the rear differential.
I have no problems. These fluids were recommended to me by Redline Tech Support...GQ

igor · 09-10-2002, 12:36 PM

I put Redline MT-90 in my transmission around May, and it's wonderful stuff. Having just installed a KB short-shifter & bushings, I was feeling the burn while shifting. A few bottles of Redline later, and it was shifting smoother than if ever had, even before the short-shifter.

As for the how-to tips, get a "automatic transmission fluid" funnel from Autozone (blue funnel with a clear tube attached), and a oil-change-pan.

Put the car up on ramps/stands, stick the catch can underneath it, and wrench off the big plug on the bottom of the transmission. The plug is magnetic to catch all the tiny bits of metal that fly around when you grind your gears a bit, so take this opportunity to clean it off before putting it back on. Let the transmission drip for 30 minutes or so to make sure all the oil is gone, tho.

Fill it back up through the dip-stick hole, and be patient, as it takes a while.

If you don't have some sort of oil-gun setup, I wouldn't change the rear diff oil, as it's a PITA to get the oil in there, and I haven't noticed any particular difference after changing it.

-jeff

Stanley · 09-10-2002, 04:45 PM

Quote:

If you don't have some sort of oil-gun setup, I wouldn't change the rear diff oil, as it's a PITA to get the oil in there, and I haven't noticed any particular difference after changing it.

I agree on the PITA factor, however, when I changed mine out it was much darker (dirtier looking) than the oil in the gear box. It also had more metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug than the drain plug for the transmission...I'd figure out a way to change it.

shogunate83 · 09-10-2002, 05:37 PM

so should i get the mt90 or the 75w90ns?

btw why do some people use the shockproof gearoil?

Logan02 · 09-11-2002, 04:38 PM

Bump

I'd like to know all this too.

Mulder · 09-11-2002, 04:44 PM

MT-90 and MTL are GL-4 rated, 75W90NS is GL-5. Subaru specifies GL-5 for the trans so if you use a GL-4 and the trans fails they may not cover the repair.

mattjk · 10-09-2002, 01:45 AM

Hank3 · 10-09-2002, 11:20 AM

Where are some places to get Redline Oil at a price where I'm not going to get raped?

GQ · 10-09-2002, 12:55 PM

http://www.ogracing.com
$7.75 a qt. for 75W90, and 75w90NS, although kinda far from you. I am sure that you can find a place closer to you...GQ

soobydo · 10-09-2002, 01:46 PM

I use Mobil 1 gear oil from AutoZone. It's $7 a quart and it is available today. You don't have to wait for it to ship to you.

It's rated as GL-5, so it is a Non-Shock oil.

I use it in both the Miata and the Sube. I put M1 in my Miata 30k ago and have beat the snot out of it before I installed the Turbo.

When I installed the turbo, I changed the tranny fluid when I changed the clutch. The gear oil was still transparent. It wasn't gunky at all. I was amazed that it protected the tranny bits so well that there was no change in color over 30,000 miles.

Many people like to go to the expense of RedLine or even Royal Purple or Amsoil.

I can't see why they are sooo much better than M1 when most of us change them out when they are still good because we've been trained by Jiffy Lube to do it every 3k, regardless of the condition of the oil.

My friend's miata puts 5k on a fill of Mobil 1 and the oil is still clean enough to see through on the dipstick, so he waits for about 7k to go by before changing.

I prefer the Mobil 1, and I can get it and change my grear lubes now and for less.

Chad

GQ · 10-09-2002, 01:52 PM

Actually, I would agree with Chad. Next time I change my transmission fluid, I will use Mobile 1. It will more than do. No need for the Redline...

Hank3 · 10-09-2002, 02:49 PM

GQ - thanks for the link - they are cheaper for sure

So Mobil will be just as good as the Redline stuff or is will it suffice since we don't need that good of an oil in the Subie trannies?

GQ · 10-09-2002, 04:39 PM

Well to be honest with you, ever since I installed the Redline 75W90NS in the transmission, I have been grinding the gears a little when shifting from 2nd to 1st while the car is moving very slowly. It could be my bad, but this really is a difference that I noticed. I may just need to change my shifting technique, although I never had a problem with the stock tranny oil installed.
My opinion after having read many threads on the subject of transmission/gear oils is that the Mobile Transmission Oil will work fine for our car under regular or very hard driving. I have spoken to a few people that even run track events, stating that it really doesn't matter as long as it is GL5 rated.
Now, I do opt for the 75W90 Redline in the rear differential. It supposedly has something in it that is good for the LSD operation, however I don't believe their is an actual way to know that this oil makes a difference. But the rear diff uses just .8qts, so I thought that I may as well put it in.
By the way, the 75W90NS in the transmission and the 75W90 in the rear differential are what a Redline Technical Representative recommended to me.

GQ

mr2guru · 10-09-2002, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GQ
Now, I do opt for the 75W90 Redline in the rear differential. It supposedly has something in it that is good for the LSD operation, however I don't believe their is an actual way to know that this oil makes a difference. But the rear diff uses just .8qts, so I thought that I may as well put it in. GQ

FYI the rear LSD is a sealed viscous unit and it is not affected by the type of gear lube like clutch or helical LSDs. This is assuming you didn't change it out to a KAAZ, Quaife or STi aftermarket LSD

.

NoJive2.5 · 10-16-2002, 09:48 PM

I recently changed the gear lube in my RS. It was really easy! I figured out an easy way to refill: With Mobil one quart size oil, cut the tip to about 3/8" . Hold jug along your forearm with your index finger covering the hole, slide into fill hole releasing finger and squeeze away. BE careful, though...if you squeeze too fast it burbles out. In any event my shifting is much improved, quiter, smooter etc.

Hank3 · 10-18-2002, 09:19 AM

I opted to go with the Redline stuff. Thanks to GQ for the link. Four bottles cost $32 incl. shipping (great deal) and it only took about three days to get to me via UPS. So I'm changing out the tranny fluid tomorrow along with the rear diff oil, since my brother has 2 quarts of the Redline stuff that he got free. I don't think I'll encounter any problems with the tranny fluid change as everyone has stated that it's pretty much straightforward and simple. Now the rear diff fluid; everything I have read illudes to it may being a pain to do. What is this oil gun that will make it simpler? Can I get it at the local auto store? How much easier will it make it? I'm almost scared to tackle it

I remember when I did the engine and tranny mounts myself with me being a novice working on cars - that was the hardest and most arduous thing I've experienced since I had no prior knoweldge of how hard it was other than what people posted on here. So needless to say I'm a bit leary on the rear diff fluid change

Just found a site that sells Redline even cheaper:

http://www.myoilshop.com/AutoPrds.html

$7 a bottle and shipping is about the same as everyone else.

GQ · 10-18-2002, 10:22 AM

Well, the rear diff fluid is not at all hard to change, but a way to pour the fluid into the differential would make it much easier and less messy. What makes it a little bit of a pain is pouring the fluid in. Access to the drain/fill plugs is easy, but being able to tilt the bottle of redline to pour is impossible. What makes it even worse is that the fluid is so thick that it pours very slowly. Another way, which I used and is cheap, is to use a long thick tube at the end of a funnel. Hold the funnel up towards the right rear area of the car so that the funnel is higher than the fill area. This can still be messy, because the fluid will take time to travel the tube, causing you to slightly overfill the differintial, which will pour back out. have a container under the differential for the overfill to drain out in. One other thing that made this job a pain for me was that I kept knocking the Redline bottle over because my hands were so slippery. What saved me was the fact that the fluid was so thick that very little spilled. You should have no problem with completing this task in an hour...Rob "GQ"

09-03-2002, 03:47 AM	#1
shogunate83 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6006 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: YayArea, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX	i need info on changing gear oil (tranny) Well i have a wrx 5 speed and i am about to hit 15k miles. I can do the rear differiental no problem. But i am not sure about the front. where is the drain plug and what steps should i take? thanks everyone! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

09-10-2002, 12:36 PM	#10
igor Scooby Newbie Member#: 8174 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Etna, NH Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan Black	Do it. I put Redline MT-90 in my transmission around May, and it's wonderful stuff. Having just installed a KB short-shifter & bushings, I was feeling the burn while shifting. A few bottles of Redline later, and it was shifting smoother than if ever had, even before the short-shifter. As for the how-to tips, get a "automatic transmission fluid" funnel from Autozone (blue funnel with a clear tube attached), and a oil-change-pan. Put the car up on ramps/stands, stick the catch can underneath it, and wrench off the big plug on the bottom of the transmission. The plug is magnetic to catch all the tiny bits of metal that fly around when you grind your gears a bit, so take this opportunity to clean it off before putting it back on. Let the transmission drip for 30 minutes or so to make sure all the oil is gone, tho. Fill it back up through the dip-stick hole, and be patient, as it takes a while. If you don't have some sort of oil-gun setup, I wouldn't change the rear diff oil, as it's a PITA to get the oil in there, and I haven't noticed any particular difference after changing it. -jeff

10-18-2002, 09:19 AM	#24
Hank3 Scooby Guru Member#: 16157 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tallahassee, FL Vehicle: '03 Mazda P5 <>< '02 WRX & '08 MS3 SOLD!!!	I opted to go with the Redline stuff. Thanks to GQ for the link. Four bottles cost $32 incl. shipping (great deal) and it only took about three days to get to me via UPS. So I'm changing out the tranny fluid tomorrow along with the rear diff oil, since my brother has 2 quarts of the Redline stuff that he got free. I don't think I'll encounter any problems with the tranny fluid change as everyone has stated that it's pretty much straightforward and simple. Now the rear diff fluid; everything I have read illudes to it may being a pain to do. What is this oil gun that will make it simpler? Can I get it at the local auto store? How much easier will it make it? I'm almost scared to tackle it I remember when I did the engine and tranny mounts myself with me being a novice working on cars - that was the hardest and most arduous thing I've experienced since I had no prior knoweldge of how hard it was other than what people posted on here. So needless to say I'm a bit leary on the rear diff fluid change Just found a site that sells Redline even cheaper: http://www.myoilshop.com/AutoPrds.html $7 a bottle and shipping is about the same as everyone else. Last edited by Hank3; 10-18-2002 at 10:15 AM.

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09-04-2002, 02:50 PM	#2
freq Scooby Newbie Member#: 14091 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: crAkron Ohio Vehicle: 71 dime 03 TDI	The drain plug is easy to spot, right on the bottom of the tranny. I replaced mine a while ago. Most people recommended Redline 75w90ns fluid. It made a noticable difference the shifting of my car. Check the fluid capacity in your manual. I don't remember offhand. Also, Make sure you have a really long funnel that will fit down in the hole for when you fill it back up! I had to hack together something with a hose to get my fluid back in the dipstick hole.

09-04-2002, 09:33 PM	#3
shogunate83 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6006 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: YayArea, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX	Thanks for the info freq anypics? i wanna make sure i get the right plug

09-05-2002, 04:08 PM	#4
aov Scooby Specialist Member#: 7193 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: MY02 WRX Blue	I would suggest not changing it. If you search a little you will find several post from people who have had problems after replacing the gear oil... grinding from 2nd to 1st. Here is one link where they discuss it: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hlight=syntrax -anders

09-05-2002, 04:12 PM	#5
North Ursalia Miss You Mom Oct 1940 - Feb 2008 Super Moderator Member#: 809 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: NH, Land Of Many Trees Vehicle: 2000 2.5 RS, '14 For 92 5MT SVX	http://www.northursalia.com/m...id/tfluid.html Brian http://www.northursalia.com http://www.imprezamods.com http://www.scoobymods.com http://www.deniedmywarranty.org

09-08-2002, 12:46 AM	#6
shogunate83 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6006 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: YayArea, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX	thanks!

09-10-2002, 12:55 AM	#8
shogunate83 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6006 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: YayArea, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX	ahhhh this is driving me nuts sorry... had to let it out.. Ive been doing alotta researching and reading... i am still not sure what i wanna put in... What are other good gear oils besides redline? Where can i get them and how much are they?

09-10-2002, 10:53 AM	#9
GQ Scooby Specialist Member#: 4830 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 13 Ducati SF/350Z Red/Blue	I did the same thing a month ago. I used 3.7qts of Redline 75 90ns in the transmission, and .8qts. of Redline 75 90 in the rear differential. I have no problems. These fluids were recommended to me by Redline Tech Support...GQ

09-10-2002, 05:37 PM	#12
shogunate83 Scooby Newbie Member#: 6006 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: YayArea, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX	so should i get the mt90 or the 75w90ns? btw why do some people use the shockproof gearoil?

09-11-2002, 04:38 PM	#13
Logan02 Scooby Newbie Member#: 16425 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sunny California	Bump I'd like to know all this too.

09-11-2002, 04:44 PM	#14
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	MT-90 and MTL are GL-4 rated, 75W90NS is GL-5. Subaru specifies GL-5 for the trans so if you use a GL-4 and the trans fails they may not cover the repair.

10-09-2002, 01:45 AM	#15
mattjk * Banned * Member#: 16615 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Huntington Beach Vehicle: I ♥ my TE51 2009 Nissan 370z

10-09-2002, 11:20 AM	#16
Hank3 Scooby Guru Member#: 16157 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tallahassee, FL Vehicle: '03 Mazda P5 <>< '02 WRX & '08 MS3 SOLD!!!	Where are some places to get Redline Oil at a price where I'm not going to get raped?

10-09-2002, 12:55 PM	#17
GQ Scooby Specialist Member#: 4830 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 13 Ducati SF/350Z Red/Blue	http://www.ogracing.com $7.75 a qt. for 75W90, and 75w90NS, although kinda far from you. I am sure that you can find a place closer to you...GQ

10-09-2002, 01:46 PM	#18
soobydo Scooby Newbie Member#: 24716 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cincinnati, OH Vehicle: 1996 Outback Sport Dark Blue	I use Mobil 1 gear oil from AutoZone. It's $7 a quart and it is available today. You don't have to wait for it to ship to you. It's rated as GL-5, so it is a Non-Shock oil. I use it in both the Miata and the Sube. I put M1 in my Miata 30k ago and have beat the snot out of it before I installed the Turbo. When I installed the turbo, I changed the tranny fluid when I changed the clutch. The gear oil was still transparent. It wasn't gunky at all. I was amazed that it protected the tranny bits so well that there was no change in color over 30,000 miles. Many people like to go to the expense of RedLine or even Royal Purple or Amsoil. I can't see why they are sooo much better than M1 when most of us change them out when they are still good because we've been trained by Jiffy Lube to do it every 3k, regardless of the condition of the oil. My friend's miata puts 5k on a fill of Mobil 1 and the oil is still clean enough to see through on the dipstick, so he waits for about 7k to go by before changing. I prefer the Mobil 1, and I can get it and change my grear lubes now and for less. Chad

10-09-2002, 01:52 PM	#19
GQ Scooby Specialist Member#: 4830 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 13 Ducati SF/350Z Red/Blue	Actually, I would agree with Chad. Next time I change my transmission fluid, I will use Mobile 1. It will more than do. No need for the Redline...

10-09-2002, 02:49 PM	#20
Hank3 Scooby Guru Member#: 16157 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tallahassee, FL Vehicle: '03 Mazda P5 <>< '02 WRX & '08 MS3 SOLD!!!	GQ - thanks for the link - they are cheaper for sure So Mobil will be just as good as the Redline stuff or is will it suffice since we don't need that good of an oil in the Subie trannies?

10-09-2002, 04:39 PM	#21
GQ Scooby Specialist Member#: 4830 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 13 Ducati SF/350Z Red/Blue	Well to be honest with you, ever since I installed the Redline 75W90NS in the transmission, I have been grinding the gears a little when shifting from 2nd to 1st while the car is moving very slowly. It could be my bad, but this really is a difference that I noticed. I may just need to change my shifting technique, although I never had a problem with the stock tranny oil installed. My opinion after having read many threads on the subject of transmission/gear oils is that the Mobile Transmission Oil will work fine for our car under regular or very hard driving. I have spoken to a few people that even run track events, stating that it really doesn't matter as long as it is GL5 rated. Now, I do opt for the 75W90 Redline in the rear differential. It supposedly has something in it that is good for the LSD operation, however I don't believe their is an actual way to know that this oil makes a difference. But the rear diff uses just .8qts, so I thought that I may as well put it in. By the way, the 75W90NS in the transmission and the 75W90 in the rear differential are what a Redline Technical Representative recommended to me. GQ

10-16-2002, 09:48 PM	#23
NoJive2.5 Scooby Newbie Member#: 12816 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City Vehicle: 2007 Impreza 2.5i Obsidian Black Pearl	I recently changed the gear lube in my RS. It was really easy! I figured out an easy way to refill: With Mobil one quart size oil, cut the tip to about 3/8" . Hold jug along your forearm with your index finger covering the hole, slide into fill hole releasing finger and squeeze away. BE careful, though...if you squeeze too fast it burbles out. In any event my shifting is much improved, quiter, smooter etc.

10-18-2002, 10:22 AM	#25
GQ Scooby Specialist Member#: 4830 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 13 Ducati SF/350Z Red/Blue	Well, the rear diff fluid is not at all hard to change, but a way to pour the fluid into the differential would make it much easier and less messy. What makes it a little bit of a pain is pouring the fluid in. Access to the drain/fill plugs is easy, but being able to tilt the bottle of redline to pour is impossible. What makes it even worse is that the fluid is so thick that it pours very slowly. Another way, which I used and is cheap, is to use a long thick tube at the end of a funnel. Hold the funnel up towards the right rear area of the car so that the funnel is higher than the fill area. This can still be messy, because the fluid will take time to travel the tube, causing you to slightly overfill the differintial, which will pour back out. have a container under the differential for the overfill to drain out in. One other thing that made this job a pain for me was that I kept knocking the Redline bottle over because my hands were so slippery. What saved me was the fact that the fluid was so thick that very little spilled. You should have no problem with completing this task in an hour...Rob "GQ"