AWD, changing the "Versatrak" fluid...

[cjwinans]

This was originally posted to the Oldsmobile Silhouette topic, but there isn't much activity there so I am reposting it here.


I went to a dealership to let them diagnose the loud whining (and sometimes slight grinding noise) when turning right. The noise was coming from the rear it seemed, but I had trouble with the streering in the past also. It turns out it was the gear oil in the rear differential. It is getting thin and when heated it causes the whining noise when turning right. It also whines when turning left, but it is much quieter. The thing I don't understand is why does it not make any noise when in reverse?

Anyways, back to my issue. The service person recommended flushing the "versatrak" fluid. Once to remove the old fluid and to perform some tight manuevering and figure eights to distribute the the replacement fluid. Once that was done, he recommended flushing that fluid and refilling once more. He wanted almost $500 to do this. He said GM recommends this approach, but they could also just do it once and it may be okay also. That would only set me back about $250 or so. I passed... obviously.

I came home and searched these forums and found some helpful information in this forum: Versatrak system, changing fluids...

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with changing this fluid in this forum. I imagine the Silhouette and the Venture are quite similar, but they may not share the same all-wheel drive system.

If you have changed this fluid, was once enough or do you recommend the two step process? I'm going to purchase the Amsoil product as discussed in the other thread, but want to know if I should purchase 5 quarts or 8 quarts. I'll probably buy one more just to be on the safe side also. One last question, do I need 4 quarts or 4 pints?