Diff plug removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Diff plug removal
Put the rear up on the Rhino ramps last night with hopes of changing the rear lube after a short road run to get it warmed up. Well, I can see it, can feel it, but didn't have any success with my tool inventory in getting the plug out. It's a square 5/8 inch plug, but as you're aware, space is limited as to tool swing window.
What do you use?
I've got the new suction gun and new GM lube and additive ready to do the task, but can't get the plug out. Had thought some overnight about maybe a metric box end would catch corners of the 5/8 plug. Don't know!
Well, have to spread some lawn fertilizer right now, so will check back later.
Thanks
Gary C - '78 Pace Car
What do you use?
I've got the new suction gun and new GM lube and additive ready to do the task, but can't get the plug out. Had thought some overnight about maybe a metric box end would catch corners of the 5/8 plug. Don't know!
Well, have to spread some lawn fertilizer right now, so will check back later.
Thanks
Gary C - '78 Pace Car
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Mine was too rounded to work, but I've heard that a 20 or 19 or something MM socket and then a long extension and a U-joint make a quick removal of that plug. I got mine out the first time using a crescent wrench - took a long time with the small window of opportunity.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
I used a large crescent wrench inserted perpendicular to the square nut. Then I inserted a large screwdriver into the hole on the handle of the crescent and it came right off. Grab one of your wife's shampoo bottle pump tops and insert a piece of fuel line onto the pickup. You can insert the line into your diff and use the pump to empty it out. Make sure you clean out the pump pretty well before you put it back onto her shampoo bottle.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello,
I found that by taking off the spare tire carrier, and the top of the clamshell that I had enough room to move around and to get to the bolt to remove it. I fought with this for about 1 hour trying to get enough leverage to get to the bolt. I removed the tire carrier in around 30 minutes, and had the bolt out 5 minutes later.
You can see from the photo how much room you gain.
kdf
I found that by taking off the spare tire carrier, and the top of the clamshell that I had enough room to move around and to get to the bolt to remove it. I fought with this for about 1 hour trying to get enough leverage to get to the bolt. I removed the tire carrier in around 30 minutes, and had the bolt out 5 minutes later.
You can see from the photo how much room you gain.
kdf
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by kdf1986
Hello,
I found that by taking off the spare tire carrier, and the top of the clamshell that I had enough room to move around and to get to the bolt to remove it. I fought with this for about 1 hour trying to get enough leverage to get to the bolt. I removed the tire carrier in around 30 minutes, and had the bolt out 5 minutes later.
I found that by taking off the spare tire carrier, and the top of the clamshell that I had enough room to move around and to get to the bolt to remove it. I fought with this for about 1 hour trying to get enough leverage to get to the bolt. I removed the tire carrier in around 30 minutes, and had the bolt out 5 minutes later.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Thank you all for the many tips. I will give it a go tomorrow. Sorry for the delay in responding, didn't think I'd received any replies.
Had a nice ride tonight - about 30 miles - life is good.
Gary C - '78 Pace Car
Had a nice ride tonight - about 30 miles - life is good.
Gary C - '78 Pace Car