Diff Drain Plug Kit from Corvette Central ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Diff Drain Plug Kit from Corvette Central ?
Has anyone used this kit to drill & tap the rear diff? They claim you don't even have to drain the diff which sounds bizarre at best. I'd like to add a drain plug without dropping the rear end and this sounds too good to be true.
Corvette Central, Kit # 582267
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z5Z50000050D#
Corvette Central, Kit # 582267
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z5Z50000050D#
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
looks like
Looks like you drill and tap a hole in the bottom of the diff with a paper template to mark where to drill. What I can't figure out is how you drill all the way into the diff without getting shavings inside the diff.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
No idea why a whole saw is needed. They generally don't make as clean a hole as a drill bit.
All you need is a drill bit, 1/4" pipe tap and 1/4" pipe plug, just like the ones in the side of the engine block.
The oil will carry 99.9% of any shavings out the hole. After tapping, then flush with more oil.
All you need is a drill bit, 1/4" pipe tap and 1/4" pipe plug, just like the ones in the side of the engine block.
The oil will carry 99.9% of any shavings out the hole. After tapping, then flush with more oil.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
i am lost on the tools in that kit so what you pre drill a hole and follow with that hole saw or what and cant really tell in that pic whats the lil O ring for or is that a allen headed plug? wold love to see the directions on that one lol. i am heading to corvette world this weekend i think to get some parts since they are like 20 miles from my place i am gonna ask to see that.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I think I get it now. They are putting the plug under the sway bar bracket , so you use the hole saw to make access through the bracket.
I always put my drain hole up front under the pinion , easy access and if you jacked the car from the rear all the fluid came out.
I always put my drain hole up front under the pinion , easy access and if you jacked the car from the rear all the fluid came out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
Ok that makes sense, but what do the four holes in the template line up with? Was just under mind doing trailing arms and done remember seeing any 'four' things with that spacing.
The shavings going out with the oil makes sense too. Maybe this is a good idea.
The shavings going out with the oil makes sense too. Maybe this is a good idea.
I think I get it now. They are putting the plug under the sway bar bracket , so you use the hole saw to make access through the bracket.
I always put my drain hole up front under the pinion , easy access and if you jacked the car from the rear all the fluid came out.
I always put my drain hole up front under the pinion , easy access and if you jacked the car from the rear all the fluid came out.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '07
Those 4 holes are the bolts that mount the strut rod bracket to the rear. As stated above, the hole saw will make a clearance hole in the bracket. The shavings will be washed out as you drill and tap the case. IT WILL BE MESSY. LOL. If you are going to drop the bracket, a step drill or a 1/2 in drill bit will get you the clearance you need. Then a letter R drill and a 1/8 in pipe tap will do the job. A 10 cent pipe plug and you are done.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Let's see now, diff oil change is done once, twice per decade (if that)?
So once every five years,
pull out your suck'em out bulb gun thing ($10.00) and two minutes removing the old oil.
OR
spend $77.00 and a few hours labour drilling holes in perfectly good diff and suspension, hoping that shavings don't go inside, the drill doesn't break, the hole is perpendicular, the plug fits, doesn't seize and doesn't leak.
So once every five years,
pull out your suck'em out bulb gun thing ($10.00) and two minutes removing the old oil.
OR
spend $77.00 and a few hours labour drilling holes in perfectly good diff and suspension, hoping that shavings don't go inside, the drill doesn't break, the hole is perpendicular, the plug fits, doesn't seize and doesn't leak.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 330
From: Indy Indiana
Let's see now, diff oil change is done once, twice per decade (if that)?
So once every five years,
pull out your suck'em out bulb gun thing ($10.00) and two minutes removing the old oil.
OR
spend $77.00 and a few hours labour drilling holes in perfectly good diff and suspension, hoping that shavings don't go inside, the drill doesn't break, the hole is perpendicular, the plug fits, doesn't seize and doesn't leak.
So once every five years,
pull out your suck'em out bulb gun thing ($10.00) and two minutes removing the old oil.
OR
spend $77.00 and a few hours labour drilling holes in perfectly good diff and suspension, hoping that shavings don't go inside, the drill doesn't break, the hole is perpendicular, the plug fits, doesn't seize and doesn't leak.
plus, if I was looking to buy a car and saw this setup .. I don't think I would buy it...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
OK you guys have convienced me...I'd like to have a drain plug but I'm willing to wait until I drop the rear end this winter and do it right then without buying an expensive kit.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Let's see now, diff oil change is done once, twice per decade (if that)?
So once every five years,
pull out your suck'em out bulb gun thing ($10.00) and two minutes removing the old oil.
OR
spend $77.00 and a few hours labour drilling holes in perfectly good diff and suspension, hoping that shavings don't go inside, the drill doesn't break, the hole is perpendicular, the plug fits, doesn't seize and doesn't leak.
So once every five years,
pull out your suck'em out bulb gun thing ($10.00) and two minutes removing the old oil.
OR
spend $77.00 and a few hours labour drilling holes in perfectly good diff and suspension, hoping that shavings don't go inside, the drill doesn't break, the hole is perpendicular, the plug fits, doesn't seize and doesn't leak.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
You don't have to drill under the bracket.
Here is the best spot. It's at the lowest point in the diff and yet you still miss the pinion race boss and bracket by a bunch.
Nice thing about a drain, you can flush to clean the inside a bit.
Here is the best spot. It's at the lowest point in the diff and yet you still miss the pinion race boss and bracket by a bunch.
Nice thing about a drain, you can flush to clean the inside a bit.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
This is a very entertaining thread to me. Why make such a big deal over something that is so simple. I drilled a 1/8" pipe tap hole about 3" back from the yoke (used a air drill since it was gonna get messy) offset about a 1/2" from the center. Did not suck the oil out first cause I would not be able to get it all out. 1/8" pipe tap and then a pipe plug from my junk box. Using a pipe plug, the hole does not have to be perfectly perpendicular to the drive line. I go to sleep at night not worrying about my differential splitting in half. Remember, this is a round hole. Think about that! If I ever wanted to check for any metal in the housing from wear I can easily flush it out with the drain plug. Sucky-sucky machine does not work that well for this.
No offense to anyone but if you would even consider spending $77 for this kit, perhaps you need to have a trusted shop do the work for you.
No offense to anyone but if you would even consider spending $77 for this kit, perhaps you need to have a trusted shop do the work for you.