Rear End...

[Need4Camaro]

I hear a popping sound coming from there when I come to a stop. It's just a small clunk and it's not real loud, but noticable. Should I be hearing this? How do I change my rear end fluids?

[hockeyman]

-put car on ramps
-place a bucket under the differential cover
-Undo the 10 bolts on the differential (rear) cover
-place a screwdriver behind the cover and slowly pry open, fluid drains into bucket
-clean the rear cover with rags and apply new gasket/silicone
-replace rear cover and torque bolts to 22 ft lbs
-refill with 80w90 fluid (I used a synthetic gear oil)
-on the passenger side of the rear's housing, up towards the front of it, there is a nut that you remove with a 3/8" ratchet, this is your fill-plug. Get the car as level as possible (front & back) and fill until the fluid starts to drip out of the hole you are pouring the fluid into. That is the top fill point.
-replace the nut, torque to 26 ft lbs and you're good to go!

The Chilton's Manual says the rear holds 3.5 pints of fluid. It is a good idea to get a bottle of "Limited Slip Differential Additive" from a GM dealer. The small bottle cost's about $10, and you add it to the fluid when you are pouring it in.
As for the gasket, I just used silicone on the rear cover and let it dry for a few hours before installing it. Works great!

All-in-all, you are probably looking to spend about $30-$40 on supplies for the Gasket and/or silicone, fluid, & additive.

Go out and get a Chilton's or Haynes Manual and it'll show you pictures along with a walkthrough of the procedure. ;)

[Need4Camaro]

Okay, I don't have a tourque wrench for the measurements... Can I still do this?

[99v6cam]

yes, just make sure everything is tight. the bolts you are tightening arent too important as far as torque measurements go, ust make sure theyre tight so they don't leak.

[NOS2006]

And if you REALLY need a torque wrench... they're only $15 at any auto store...

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally posted by NOS2006:
And if you REALLY need a torque wrench... they're only $15 at any auto store...

I wouldn't trust any $15 torque wrench. Spend at least $50ish on a craftsman one, and make sure you get it recalibrated every so often.

- Justin