A valuable lesson learned

My GEM differential has been getting gradually louder and whineyer (if that’s a word). .so I figured it might be time to check the oil in there.

Looked for the traditional screw-out access plug on the front. .sides. .back. .top. .NO LUCK

Asked GEM support about it, and they said it was on the bottom. .which made NO sense to me whatsoever. .so. .today I actually found a light and looked under there. Found a little smooth rubber plug about 1/3 up the front passenger side of the front of diff. .pried it out. .stuck my finger in, and pulled it out DRY

Got out my handy gear oil pump,and put in about 3/4 of a quart of 30 weight.

Seems to run MUCH smoother and quieter now, and looks like I’ll get much better mileage without those gears fighting themselves.

My lesson: GEMs might not need gas, but they SURE need oil.

You might want to find out where the oil went! Input shaft leak, blew out the breather, pan gasket leak…? I know GEM has kits available for most gear ratios to fix any Input shaft leak and a new style breather that acts like a Bellows so no spitting of oil there!

can’t find any leaks. .and there are no drips on the floor