Need to change my axle fluid.

Is there anything wrong in using one of the oil suction pumps (the ones that people use to such the oil out of boat motors) to suck the old oil out instead of removing the differential cover? I know that you won't get all the sludge at the bottom out & can't wipe it clean, but, really would sucking out the oil w/ one of these vacuum pumps be good enough?

 

As you said, it might not be thorough enough. But if its what you can manage now, go ahead. Getting that sludge out would be best though.

Is there any particular reason you do not want to take the cover off?

 

If your pressed for time at the moment then yeah, at least sucking out most of the old fluid with a pump would be better than nothing at all. But if you can, the best thing would be to take the cover off so you can wipe the pumpkin clean.

Are you worried about snapping the bolts off? If so I can understand that, I was worried at first too. When I did mine at 15k I just snugged them up and they have been fine for the past 15k.

 

Laziness? The rear is not too bad. Taking the front off is a PIA.

 

I saw mentioned in another thread that these trucks have a reusable gasket (rear; don't now about front). That made my day. I'm not sure on the specifics of that, if that only applies to certain year models or axles. Maybe someone would chime in or point the direction to that info...??

That certainly makes pulling the cover off less of task for me. RTV and I don't get along