Access to differential sump?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 28
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Access to differential sump?
Proving that even simple jobs can go terribly wrong, today while changing the differential fluid the plastic end of my fluid pump blew into the differential fill hole. It is about an 1" x 3/8" and hollow.
I can't see where it went, I can't feel it near the holes. I've tried fishing around from the drain for it with a thin wire, but still no luck. I pushed another quart of gear oil in hoping to wash it to the drain, but no luck. Next, I'm going to fill the differential and pull the drain and hope it gets sucked toward the exit.
Any ideas on how to recover it? I've never had the differential apart. Can you see any of the sump by removing the rear cover? If I pull a half shaft cover, can I see the sump from there?
This really sucks. I was nearly prepped for a track day Monday.
I can't see where it went, I can't feel it near the holes. I've tried fishing around from the drain for it with a thin wire, but still no luck. I pushed another quart of gear oil in hoping to wash it to the drain, but no luck. Next, I'm going to fill the differential and pull the drain and hope it gets sucked toward the exit.
Any ideas on how to recover it? I've never had the differential apart. Can you see any of the sump by removing the rear cover? If I pull a half shaft cover, can I see the sump from there?
This really sucks. I was nearly prepped for a track day Monday.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Your absolute best bet is to pull the drain plug and go fishing. NO,,, Do not pull the rear cover. Absoluty no access.
Here are two post that may help you see what you need to do to get it back.
- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966
Hope this helps.
Bill
Here are two post that may help you see what you need to do to get it back.
- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966
Hope this helps.
Bill
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
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I'm going to take another stab at it tomorrow with some other ideas and see if I get lucky. I needed a brake from the gear oil fumes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 989
Likes: 8
From: Chino Ca.
I really wish you the best on this, but I think that reaching it from the drain plug is a LONG SHOT! I do believe that taking off the right side cover will give you the access you need to get your filler out.
Best of luck to you, and keep us posted on this!
Best of luck to you, and keep us posted on this!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I doubt it would hurt the diff to run it but it's your car and your call. Me, I'd likely just run it for a bit on the stands and change the oil again to flush out the ground up pieces.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
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From: Bahama North Carolina
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Mission Viejo CA
You sir, are braver than I. I could just imagine some little piece of plastic lodging its way into the Posi unit...
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
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I only have one idea left. I'm going to try to use a pump to circulate the gear oil from a clean drain pain back into the inlet and let it run for a while.
Part of me keeps saying it is soft plastic and it will be mulched, then melted on a road course Monday. The transmission will see 260. I have no clue how hot the differential gets. I'm mostly concerned about a catastrophic failure. The differential has been whining a bit, but I thought I had a couple seasons left.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 989
Likes: 8
From: Chino Ca.
It is your car and in the end you will do what you think is best.
I have built a few differentials and if I were going to be driving on a road course I would not want foreign material in my differential at 120+! It probably won't hurt anything, but I would be sweating bullets all day long.
You can have the right side cover off in about an hour and a half. A small tube of anaerobic sealant and you are back in business!
Be Safe!
I have built a few differentials and if I were going to be driving on a road course I would not want foreign material in my differential at 120+! It probably won't hurt anything, but I would be sweating bullets all day long.
You can have the right side cover off in about an hour and a half. A small tube of anaerobic sealant and you are back in business!
Be Safe!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
But Honey,,,,,,,,,, It blew on the way to the track...
The only replacement I can fine is DAMN rebuilt unit. Some guy on the Forum "RKT56" has one on SALE for an EXCELLENT SAVINGS.. 
I will sacrifice and settle for a "REBUILT" replacement so we can save money!~. Its a GOOD thing that I didn't have to get a new GM replacement..
I can see it now!!
The only replacement I can fine is DAMN rebuilt unit. Some guy on the Forum "RKT56" has one on SALE for an EXCELLENT SAVINGS.. I will sacrifice and settle for a "REBUILT" replacement so we can save money!~. Its a GOOD thing that I didn't have to get a new GM replacement..I can see it now!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
It is your car and in the end you will do what you think is best.
I have built a few differentials and if I were going to be driving on a road course I would not want foreign material in my differential at 120+! It probably won't hurt anything, but I would be sweating bullets all day long.
You can have the right side cover off in about an hour and a half. A small tube of anaerobic sealant and you are back in business!
Be Safe!
I have built a few differentials and if I were going to be driving on a road course I would not want foreign material in my differential at 120+! It probably won't hurt anything, but I would be sweating bullets all day long.
You can have the right side cover off in about an hour and a half. A small tube of anaerobic sealant and you are back in business!
Be Safe!
LOL Thats the best reconnendation yet and you can remove it IN PLACE!
Bill
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
It is your car and in the end you will do what you think is best.
I have built a few differentials and if I were going to be driving on a road course I would not want foreign material in my differential at 120+! It probably won't hurt anything, but I would be sweating bullets all day long.
You can have the right side cover off in about an hour and a half. A small tube of anaerobic sealant and you are back in business!
Be Safe!
I have built a few differentials and if I were going to be driving on a road course I would not want foreign material in my differential at 120+! It probably won't hurt anything, but I would be sweating bullets all day long.
You can have the right side cover off in about an hour and a half. A small tube of anaerobic sealant and you are back in business!
Be Safe!
( I was actually thinking DTE and a Quaife, but don't tell the wife! )
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 989
Likes: 8
From: Chino Ca.
The DTE or Quaife sounds like a blast, but let's get this thing ready for the track on Monday.
It would be the same as replacing the side cover o-ring. Get the half shaft out and your half way there.
I am actually changing a differential this weekend, so I will be very close to where you are!
Best of luck, and let me know if I can be of help!
It would be the same as replacing the side cover o-ring. Get the half shaft out and your half way there.
I am actually changing a differential this weekend, so I will be very close to where you are!
Best of luck, and let me know if I can be of help!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 28
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As DIXZ expected. The nozzle was laying there inside the right side cover. Once I found some decent photos of the inside and saw where the drain hole was in relationship to the ring gear, I realized there was no way I was going to push it through the small gaps.
I was fortunate. My dealer had 1 o-ring and 1 seal in stock. Getting that side cover off is a major pain. I ended up moving the muffler out of the way, so I need to pick up a gasket for it tomorrow and go for a test ride.
Thanks for the tips!
I was fortunate. My dealer had 1 o-ring and 1 seal in stock. Getting that side cover off is a major pain. I ended up moving the muffler out of the way, so I need to pick up a gasket for it tomorrow and go for a test ride.
Thanks for the tips!