How much oil does a 12 bolt rear hold? installed a 12 bolt in my Elk and have been unable to remove the filler plug, found a cover at a swapmeet with a plug but it seems to be about a inch lower that the housing plug. I just can't remember how much oil goes
in. Thanks.
Harley

Here is a trick to remove the plug. Heat the plug until it glows red, and then apply a cheap wax candle to the plug. The candle will of course melt and the capillary action will suck the wax in along the threads, the plug should remove easily. BillK uses this method to extract oil plugs that are rusted in place on blocks before they go in the cleaning system.

All info in the service manual says the lube should be at the bottom of the filler holes when up to operating temp, 1/2-inch below otherwise. I have never seen a GM passenger rear axle to take more than 3 qts maximum. My 99 GMC Sierra 4X4 posi takes just shy of 3 qts.

Harley,

12 bolt rear axle assembly takes 4.9 pints,per GM spec sheet.

Joe G

Thanks Joe that's what I needed to know.
Harley

Nearly 5 pints of fluid? Lets see there are two pints to a quart, 2 quarts to a half gallon. That means there is more than a half gallon of gear oil in the rear. I never would have believed that.

Just refilled my 12 bolt, took 4.5 pints and that included 4once bottle of GM additive before it started spilling out of fill hole. Bill

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Wally, did you forget about the axle tubes getting some oil in them also?