Diff gear oil

A few weeks before the Spring ride I went with Bobby and RZR Joe to cut some trees and work on the trails for the ride.

Well when we went to cross the creek...."at the time it was a huge river" Water came up to my seat. It was a ton of water. That was the same river that actually pulled Bobby down it a little.

My RZR was due for an oil change but should I change out the diffs as well? They were changed before the fall ride last year so the oil is essentially new.

Is it an option to crack the plug and let a little out possibly getting water out if there is any in there then adding a little bit of oil? Or would you just change it or just leave it?

Anything else I need to check after that deep of a water run?

T, just crack open the fill plug and look at it. If it has a gray or milky color to it then it has water in it. If it is clear and looks like regular diff fluid you are fine and don't need to do anything. If you can't see the color clearly put a straw or something else like that (zip tie works too) down into the fill plug and use it like a dip stick just to check the color.

i would take the fill plug out and look in that way you will be able to tell if there is water in there.

it has been sitting for two weeks. Is it best to drive it a little then check it?

oh and by the way.....what oil are you supposed to use where and how much is supposed to be in there? just full to the top?

If I was going thru the trouble to check it for water I would go ahead and change it!

If you are out of warrenty , then 75/90 typoid Full Synthetic( I use mobil 1 ) , If you can drive it for 10 min or so the gear should be warm enough to show the water if it has any in it , the warmer the oil the more it shows the water that is in it . If it does you need to change it several times to get it out .

JUST CHANGE IT ! IT IS NOT THAT HARD !

Make sure you use the proper fluid in the front diff. t-bone, They use two different fluids. If you put the wrong type of fluid in the front diff., your 4 wd will quit working believe it or not. Use what the book specs for the front. It has alot to do with the fact that the magnetic field created in the diff. to lock it in 4wd when you actuate the switch on the dash. The viscosity of the oil has to be just right so as not to impede the engagement of 4 wd in the diff. due to too thick of oil causing resistance to the magnetic force it needs. The oil also has some chemical in it also to help promote conductivity the way i understand it.

I think I'm going to change both. Do you have to take any panels off or anything to change a rzr's front diff?

No you do not. There is an access hole in the skid pan i do believe. At least on my 08 there is. You MUST also make sure you get the required amount pretty close to exact on the fluid level on the front diff that it is spec'd to hold. Too much or too little especially will cause 4 wd problems.

I have a measuring cup so when I change I will use that

What year is yours. I'm just assuming that yours would be the same as 08 models. I don't believe they changed anything about the frnt& rear diffs?

08 fnt diff.= Premium Demand Drive Fluid (polaris)
PN= 2876251
6.75 oz. capacity(make sure all old fluid completely drained_
fill&drain plug torque spec. is 8-10 ft.lbs.


08rear diff.= ATV angle drive fluid (polaris)
PN= 2871653
18 oz. capacity
Fill plug = 40- 50 Ft. lbs. Torque
Drain plug = 30- 40 INCH POUNDS!!!!!

And there should be an access hole at the rear diff. area of skid pan as well.

For me though, i always just went ahead and took my whole skid pan off just to keep from making a mess and cussing so much! And of course once the skid pan was off, that made a nice opportunity for another couple of beers and a good cleaning underneath before putting it back on.

Get out an air ratchet to use on skid pan if you choose to take it off. Makes it a whole lot quicker and easier. Just becareful with those skid pan bolts going back in though. Polaris really used some low quality metal when it came to those. They rust up bad and will break pretty damn easy if you overtighten them much. I would only use the air ratchet to get them started when putting them back in and finish the final tightening with a hand operated ratchet and ext. Hope this helps some.

sprinklerhead wrote:

For me though, i always just went ahead and took my whole skid pan off just to keep from making a mess and cussing so much! And of course once the skid pan was off, that made a nice opportunity for another couple of beers and a good cleaning underneath before putting it back on.

Tbone don't drink....so that idea is out......

It's an 09. Take the front and rear skid off?

Mine is all one piece from the factory and made of some kind of tuff plastic. Not sure how your is set up. Mines one big plastic plate from front to rear

Look and see if you have access holes at the drain plugs before you do. Yours may be easier to deal with than mine, without taking it off.

I'll be back in a little while.

TBONE21 wrote:

It's an 09. Take the front and rear skid off?

mines a 09....and you don't have to take the skid plate off.....

bubba53 wrote:

sprinklerhead wrote:

For me though, i always just went ahead and took my whole skid pan off just to keep from making a mess and cussing so much! And of course once the skid pan was off, that made a nice opportunity for another couple of beers and a good cleaning underneath before putting it back on.

Tbone don't drink....so that idea is out......

He may be drinking by the time he's done. LOL

sprinklerhead wrote:

bubba53 wrote:

sprinklerhead wrote:

For me though, i always just went ahead and took my whole skid pan off just to keep from making a mess and cussing so much! And of course once the skid pan was off, that made a nice opportunity for another couple of beers and a good cleaning underneath before putting it back on.

Tbone don't drink....so that idea is out......

He may be drinking by the time he's done. LOL

ain't that the truth.....

I removed the fill plug in the front diff before draining, and a small amount of oil came out the top. So when I filled it, I filled until it started to run out. Maybe something is a little different between a 09 and a 10? The fill plug is low on the front diff on mine.

Tbone, go ahead and drop the skid. You will be glad you did. I bet when you clean all that crap off the top of that skid, your rzr will outrun your commander.

I can assure you my rzr has no chance to outrun that commander. They are night and day diff on power. Haha

Go ahead and do the trans and transfer case while you at it. The front and rear fill to the threads on the fill hole. Also read the owners manual, it tells you all of this.

but he can't read

Steve K wrote:

Go ahead and do the trans and transfer case while you at it. The front and rear fill to the threads on the fill hole. Also read the owners manual, it tells you all of this.

from what I heard....they all take different kinds of oils....please....please.....read the owners manual....I don't want to see this rzr on craigs list.....

What you heard bubba, is what's printed in the manuals for sure. Please spread the word.