walter1234

Can someone help me with the proper way to takeout the rear leaf spring? Does the car have to be jacked up with the rear wheels removed? I’m looking to change the rear differential fluid and the drain plug is hard to access. After searching through the forum, I understand for 2005 model year with the L-wrench there is clearance to acccess this plug. However, for my 2012 base coupe, the 10mm allen is way too long to fit between the leaf and differential with the clearance of less than 0.5”. Any suggestion will be greatly appricated.

subfloor@centurytrans

Jack the car up, disconnect the two 18mm bolts holding the trans and differential to the cradle and then you'll be able to lift the trans and diff high enough away from the cradle to access the plug. I usually use just a regular floor jack with a hockey puck in between so I won't damage anything.

Rocketmanwpb

I have an 08 vert and I did not have to do anything other than remove the drain plug on the diff. Unless the 12 is drastically different you should be able to remove the plug with no problem. I changed the diff fluid about four months ago and I seem to recall that the plug was in a tight location and the fluid went over the frame cross member.

walter1234

Okay, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

Sunset-C6

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...s-for-faq.html

bolivar

How about cutting the 'Allen' wrench down? Would this work? Could you cut it down so it is just a couple inches long, just long enough to go in the plug plus an inch, then put a 8mm socket and rachet/breaker bar on it?

weathermaker

I thought that only the 05s had this issue. Pictures of latter models , the plug looked like it was in the clear. Don't tell me GM went back to obscuring the drain plug again.

Don-Vette

Why are you changing the diff. fluid on a 2012?

walter1234

Yes, GM went back to the old ways, or at least for my car. I've attached a link to a picture below. However, since this is the first time attaching a picture, I hope it will show up.

https://picasaweb.google.com/walterchang1234/Corvette#

walter1234

I like to tinker with stuff. Since I am also a little OCD, I thought this was a good idea on a Friday afternoon.

BAMAGOLFER

Can you get a ball end allen in there? Looking at the pics you should be able to angle it in there.

Wayne O

You may be able to do it without removing the transverse leaf spring. Here's an old DIY thread that will help:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...s-for-faq.html

Good luck.

ohmy

dude... no offense, but maybe you shouldn't be doing this yourself if you can't figure out how to change it without removing the spring... maybe you're just not qualified? and again, i'm not saying anything to offend you, just a thought bc it really doesn't seem too hard to do with the right tools and know-how, the fill and drain plugs have plenty of space to access them...

Top_Fuel

I don't know if this would help or not, but they make stubby hex keys for tight areas. I need one of these to drain the manual trans in my G5.

cclive

If you get the right tools, you won't have to disassemble the car in order to change the rear end oil...it has been done by many here on the forum and hasn't been an issue since 2005. Also, GM doesn't make one=off cars on the production line, so yours has the same drain and fill locations as everyone elses'.

weathermaker

Looking at the 2nd. picture, what is the hex shape bolt/plug for? Is this an optional drain? I think the Allen drain can be accessed. On the 05s it is completely over the spring and I was able to get it out. With difficulty I might add.

swglenn

I bought a 10mm hex that had a 1/2" socket on the other end. With swivels and/or extensions you can get it done. While some say theirs was easy to get out mine was very tough to break loose.

walter1234

Thanks for all the help. I ended up cutting the hex with a band saw and using the short wrench to remove the plug. I have attached a picture of my setup in the link below.

https://picasaweb.google.com/walterchang1234/Corvette#

walter1234

I don't know what the second hex on the side is for. Maybe it is an optional drain.