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Refilling differential

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Nelson

Nelson

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I just replaced my broken axle but I'm stumped on how to refill the diff. Since I can't just pour it in due to limited space I need to know what the trick is to get the oil back in. I'm thinking possibly a baster but I don't have access to one at the moment. Any hints would be appreciated.
 
They sell little plastic pumps that screw into the bottles. But you can also just jack up the car and let the axle hang and use a squeeze bottle.
 
The more important question is how many qts. go in there? Avoiding overfill and soaking rear brakes or take it to the top and quit when the fluid runs out..
 
I was just able to refill it with a baster. Some time in the past I read on one of these forums that it should be filled so it can just be felt when your pinkie is poked into the fill hole. That's what I did.
 
Just enough IS how much. If in question about overfill, let it run out the fill hole until it stops dripping. .. The bigger question that people have is how to get that plug out. You cannot buy a tool with a 7/16" square .. anything. Mine is made of square stock that I had welded into a 3/8" drive socket, and the corners ground. Some have had luck using a 3/8 drive extension. You must have the tool already.. .... .. ....
 
I made my own tool. I don't remember where I got it but I got a short piece of 9/16" square stock. I used a file to reduce it in size so it would fit into the hole. It would have been easier if they had made a proper square hole but it took a bit of work with the file to shape it. I just use a 9/16" wrench now and it works easily.
 
Anyplace sell a proper plug wrench for our cars? I tried to grind down a larger 1/2"socket extension bar and was unsuccessful in getting it to work.
 
I used a 3/8" extension plus a flat screwdriver blade to fill in the gap. Then when I got it out, I threw it away and replaced it with a plug that has a hex shaped hole for an allen wrench. It is just a normal 1/2" NPT Plug, you can even use the ones from the hardware store that have the normal square end.

DSC_0128-001.JPG
 
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY has them for sale.. Proto, Craftsman, Mac, Snap-On, etc, etc... None. ..

If someone does find one let me know, but when I went looking several years ago I drew a complete blank. That's why I made one.
 
Interesting, I had to stare at that one for a few minutes to figure out how it worked. When I get around to pulling the differential out to paint I may drop you a note. In he meantime will try the 3/8" drive with a screwdriver trick.
 
Did the same as Nelson.
Piece of key stock from the local tractor supply store ground to fit on a grind stone with a wrench to turn it and if I should ever need the key stock it will be easy to make another.:friendly_wink:

Kurt.
 
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