rear-end/trans problems on '81

[Matthew Gill <mgill3@xxxxxxx>]

The shop manual says it takes Dexron II, but Checker didn't have any  
Dexron II, so i got ATF+4 fluid for Chrysler vehicles. It said that  
it replaces ATF+3. Is this fluid ok even though it doesn't mention  
Dexron II anywhere? Or should i take it back and find Dexron II  
somewhere else?


On Dec 2, 2006, at 7:09 AM, Frederick Joslin wrote:

> Hi Matt:
>
> For the transmission you need to check the fluid level with the  
> engine and transmission both warm to hot with the engine running,  
> transmission in neutral and on flat ground. Do this and if the  
> fluid level is low add a little bit if fluid at a time until the  
> reading is correct. I forget your vehicle, but it probably uses  
> DEXRON III trans fluid. If the fluid is low the transmission will  
> not shift properly.
>
> For the rear end you should really change the fluid. My experience  
> is with the 83/4" rear ends which do not have a drain plug. To  
> drain these you need a pump to pump the oil out through the fill  
> plug. Re-fill using a good rear end fluid any where from 75W to  
> 140W. Heavier fluids are worse in the winter, better in the summer,  
> and tend to quieten noisy rear ends a little. When I fill these  
> rear ends I basically fill it until it just starts to overflow. I  
> have not had any problems doing this. Again make sure you are on  
> level ground.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Matthew Gill"
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: IML: rear-end/trans problems on '81
> Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 01:10:42 -0700
>
>
> I'm reading in my shop manual about the fluid
> in the rear axle, which i believe is
> considered to be the differential because it
> mentions the Sure-Grip differential. It tells
> me that the fluid levels need to be so far
> below the bottom of the filler hole, depending
> on the axle tube diameter and capacity pints.
> How would one go about measuring the fluid?
> I'm clueless.. at least I dont see how it can
> be done without lifting the car up first.
>
> Gosh i hope it's just a fluid related problem,
> of course that means I've got a leak to take
> care of, which is still better than parts
> getting broken.
>
> On Dec 2, 2006, at 12:46 AM, Matthew Gill wrote:
>
> > Ok i'm not sure exactly what the universal
> > joint is, is it where the drive shaft
> > connects to the rear end? I saw that, and it
> > appeared normal to me, of course that was
> > from on my back, at night, with a
> > flashlight. I suppose i could take a look in
> > my manual to find out how to check the
> > fluid, along with the universal joint.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> >
> > On Dec 2, 2006, at 12:13 AM, john sadowski wrote:
> >
> >> A couple of things I would check are the
> >> rear universal joint & check if the
> >> differential fluid level is where it should
> >> be.
> >> John
> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew Gill"
> >> To:
> >> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 11:34 PM
> >> Subject: IML: rear-end/trans problems on '81
> >>
> >>
> >>> Alright, here's the scoop.
> >>>
> >>> As i drive it to have the car looked at by
> >>> the guy's at the 76 station a couple days
> >>> ago (or, my grandmother rather, since she
> >>> drove it over for me at the time)... she
> >>> tells me that she had to let off the gas
> >>> a bit for the car to shift.. and just a
> >>> while ago I was driving it earlier this
> >>> evening and i went over a dip in the road
> >>> and I hear a loud sound coming from the
> >>> rear-right side of the car, it sounded as
> >>> if i had metal objects clanging around in
> >>> the trunk. AFTER I heard that sound, the
> >>> car would no longer shift, it would go to
> >>> about 32 mph and i would hear the RPM's go
> >>> high but no shifting.
> >>>
> >>> After i parked the car, i checked
> >>> underneath and i saw quite a few spots
> >>> where it looked as though the trans leaked,
> >>> but i checked and there's still fluid in
> >>> it, the dip stick shows that it's in the
> >>> "ok" area, although i was on a very slight
> >>> incline...
> >>>
> >>> I'm confused and worried at the same time,
> >>> does anybody have any helpful tips for me
> >>> on this? What could be the problem? Maybe
> >>> the rear-end, since I heard that loud
> >>> noise in the back end of it? After it
> >>> happened i continued to hear a squeaking
> >>> sound coming from the back as well.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Matt
> >>>
> >>>
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> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
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> >
> >
> >
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>
>
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>
> Fred Joslin
>